Defensive trio feature at the top end of the rankings…
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Arsenal currently sit just one point behind Chelsea in the title race, and here is how we’ve rated and ranked the squad’s Premier League’s performances this term…
22) Thomas Vermaelen – 3
Pretty dire season from a club captain. Only made three starts all season in the league, and is bound to leave this summer.
21) Carl Jenkinson – 4
Jenkinson actually won an England cap back in 2012, but has had to content himself with a place on the bench behind Bacary Sagna this term.
20) Yaya Sanogo – 4
Injuries have been cruel to Sanogo, but the young Frenchman has yet to score a goal since arriving in the summer, and has yet to make a single Premier League start.
19) Nicklas Bendtner – 5
Has not got much of a look in, but has still scored two important Premier League goals when called upon by Arsene Wenger. Almost certain to leave in the summer.
18) Nacho Monreal – 6
Not bad from the Spaniard, who has largely had to play second fiddle to Kieran Gibbs. Did endure one torrid afternoon away to Southampton however.
17) Lukas Podolski – 6
Has showed promise when he’s been on the pitch, but due to injuries, this has been far too irregularly. Podolski’s bagged three times in his four starts, and will be pushing for more appearances before the end of the season.
16) Serge Gnabry – 6
The young German made his debut this season, and has showed glimpses of his undeniable talent. In five starts, he scored the first goal of his career, and is definitely one for the future.
15) Mikel Arteta – 6
Solid, if relatively unspectacular. Arteta has largely rotated the anchoring position with Mathieu Flamini. He did though have an awful afternoon against Liverpool when his side were demolished 5-1, which will live long in the memory of Gunners fans.
14) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 6
Like many of the squad, the youngster’s season has been plagued by an injury problem, which has restricted him to just the three starts. On one of those though against Crystal Palace he bagged a cool brace, reminding everyone of his considerable talent.
13) Kieran Gibbs – 6.5
Gibbs has been solid all term on the left of Arsenal’s back four, and is unlucky that England already have Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole in that position for this summer’s World Cup.
12) Tomas Rosicky – 6.5
The ageing Czech star has excelled during brief cameo appearances this term, earning himself a new contract with his intricate passing and deft touches.
11) Santi Cazorla – 7
Not anywhere near as good as he was last season, but the Spaniard has still been a consistent creative influence when he’s been fit enough to play. He’s scored and assisted four apiece, and will be one of the team’s key players for the title run in.
10) Theo Walcott – 7
Walcott picked up an awful injury against Spurs in the FA Cup, which ruled him out for the entire campaign. During his nine Premier League appearances though, he scored five and assisted four – and was nearing his scintillating best form.
9) Jack Wilshere – 7
Wilshere finished off one of the best team goals scored in Premier League history earlier in the season against Norwich, and has weighed in with two more goals and four assists this term. In Aaron Ramsey’s absence through injury, Wilshere has enjoyed being given a more pivotal central role.
8) Mathieu Flamini – 7
Flamini’s been one of Arsenal’s success stories this term, since arriving back at the club from AC Milan in the summer. His work-rate is outstanding, as his ability to win possession back from the opposition.
7) Bacary Sagna – 7
Arsenal will have a tough time on their hands replacing Sagna when his contract expires at the end of the season… The Frenchman has been defensively excellent, and offers a consistent attacking outlet up the right flank.
6) Olivier Giroud – 7.5
Giroud has been criticised for his finishing at times this season, but only three players in the top flight have registered more goals and assists combined in the league. He’s scored twelve and assisted seven, and his hold up play has been typically impressive.
5) Mesut Ozil – 7.5
Granted, Ozil’s form has dropped off in recent weeks due to fatigue, but statistically, he’s been as good as any playmaker in the league. He’s scored four times, and assisted eight goals, which creatively only Wayne Rooney, Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard can better.
4) Aaron Ramsey – 8
The Welshman hasn’t played in 2014 due to injury, but before Christmas, he was superb. Constantly tackling, passing and intercepting in the middle, Ramsey also got forward to score eight and assists six goals.
3) Per Mertesacker – 8
Arsenal’s excellent season has been based on the foundation of their two centre-backs and their goalkeeper, so it’s no surprise to see the trio take up the top three spots. Mertesacker is unbeatable in the air, but has also carried the ball out from defence impressively.
2) Laurent Koscielny – 8
Koscielny is positionally superb, and his composure on the ball has been excellent for a defender. He’s scored a goal, and has a fantastic 93.3% pass completion ratio.
1) Wojciech Szczesny – 9
Szczesny has silenced any critics this season, by maturing into the confident presence between the sticks his talent has always suggested. Arsenal have conceded the second least goals in the league, and the Pole has been superb – at the Emirates especially.
