With Alexis Sanchez flying high and Mesut Ozil failing to impress, here is how we rank each member of the Arsenal squad in our mid season review…
Arsenal have endured a somewhat erratic first half of the current campaign, but are still capable of kicking on and challenging for honours.
There have certainly been a few stand-out stars this season, as well as a couple of complete flops.
But who has been the Gunners’ best player so far? And who has been the worst?
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Here is how we rank every Arsenal player this season from worst to best:
31) Serge Gnabry – N/A
Injured for most of the season, and yet to play a single game for the Gunners this campaign.
30) Gedion Zelalem – 3.0/10
Two brief appearances so far this season; a player who could go on to do great things, but is far from ready.
29) Chupa Akpom – 3.0/10
A definite player of quality, but not ready just yet.
28) Isaac Hayden – 4.0/10
Looked decent at times, and could have found himself fast tracked into the first team if it wasn’t for an untimely injury.
27) Joel Campbell 4.0/10
Tipped to leave the club this January, Campbell has been given very few chances, and has not really impressed in any of his cameo roles.
26) David Ospina – 4.5/10
Rarely called upon, but when the summer signing has been utilised he has looked poor.
25) Abou Diaby – 4.5/10
Consistently injured once again, although he looked excellent during a brief appearance in the Capital One Cup.
24) Theo Walcott – 4.5/10
Walcott looked superb in his cameo role against Burnley, but he is yet to start a game this season after only just returning from a lengthy injury.
23) Tomas Rosicky – 4.5/10
Almost totally ignored by Arsene Wenger this season, the Czech star performed woefully in the Capital One cup loss to Southampton when he got his first start of the season.
22) Hector Bellerin – 5.0/10
Stepped up when Arsenal’s defensive crisis threatened to derail their season, but doesn’t look ready for the first team despite moments of quality.
21) Lukas Podolski – 5.5/10
Perhaps a little harsh, as the German put in a couple of fantastic performances in the Champions League. He has however, failed to impress on the whole; and was arguably the worst player on the pitch in his first full start of the season against Southampton.
20) Yaya Sanogo – 5.5/10
Still incredibly raw, but has shown glimpses of quality which highlight why Arsene Wenger signed him.
19) Mesut Ozil – 5.5/10
Erratic form at the start of the season, and a lengthy injury that has seen him out for over three months.
18) Mathieu Flamini – 5.5/10
His poor performances this season have highlighted the Gunners’ lack of depth, and the experienced midfielder needs to be replaced sooner rather than later.
17) Francis Coquelin – 6.0/10
He may have barely played for Arsenal this season, but the Frenchman has looked excellent when he has been called upon, and is an fantastic player to have available.
16) Emiliano ‘Damien’ Martinez – 6.0/10
Filled in well when both Wojciech Szczesny and David Ospina were unavailable, but looked out of his depth at times.
15) Nacho Monreal – 6.0/10
A remarkable improvement on last season, but still not a player that fills you with confidence.
14) Laurent Koscielny – 6.5/10
His constant injuries have put pressure on the Arsenal defence, but when he has played he has looked largely solid.
13) Per Mertesacker 6.5/10
Bonus points for being one of the only defenders who has been constantly available for selection this season, but the German looks extremely shaky when he doesn’t have Laurent Koscielny alongside him.
12) Calum Chambers – 6.5/10
The youngster slotted in perfectly at the start of the season, and looked like a superb purchase by Arsene Wenger. He has struggled as the season wears on, but that is more than likely due to being overplayed.
11) Aaron Ramsey – 6.5/10
A really, really poor start to the season, especially by last year’s standards. Finally started to find his form again, before picking up an injury that ruled him out until the new year.
10) Wojciech Szczesny – 7.0/10
The Pole in the goal may have made a couple of howlers recently, but his form throughout the season has been excellent.
9) Mikel Arteta – 7.0/10
Unable to put a run of games together due to constant niggling injuries, Arsenal’s midfield has looked far weaker when Mathieu Flamini plays over the Spaniard.
8) Mathieu Debuchy – 7.0/10
He may have spent 90% of the season sidelined, but in the games he has played he has been excellent.
7) Jack Wilshere – 7.0/10
Looks to be adding the odd goal to his game, and has shown glimpses of the top quality everyone knows he has.
6) Danny Welbeck – 7.0/10
Brought in from Manchester United on deadline day, Welbeck has settled in well at the Emirates. He may not be a world class game changer, but he is an excellent squad player.
5) Olivier Giroud – 7.0/10
Although he has spent a large chunk of the season sidelined with injury, his return to the team proved how vital he is to Arsene Wenger’s plans.
4) Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7.5/10
Involved in almost every game for the Gunners this season, the young Englishman has been superb. His end product still leaves a lot to be desired, but he is constantly improving.
3) Kieran Gibbs 8/10
Quietly going about his duties, Gibbs has been arguably Arsenal’s most reliable player this season when fit.
2) Santi Cazorla – 8.5/10
The Spaniard has really hit form at the right time, and has been directly involved in 5 goals in his last six games.
1) Alexis Sanchez – 9.5/10
No question here. The £35m summer signing has been in superb form this season, and has single handedly dragged Arsenal over the line at times.
Special mention) Carl Jenkinson – 7.5/10
Jenkinson has been brilliant while out on loan with West Ham, and if brought back to the Emirates is likely to return a far better player.