Rating every Arsenal player’s season so far
- Charlie Smith
- @CharlieSmith118
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It’s safe to say that Arsenal’s season could’ve got off to a better start.
The Gunners somehow sit 6th in the Premier League after 12 rounds of fixtures, with Unai Emery’s men already eight points off fourth-placed Manchester City.
Many fans have urged club officials to part ways with the Spaniard after the defeat to Leicester City prior to the international break.
However, it looks as if the 48-year-old is going to be given more time to change his fortunes around at the Emirates.
Supporters won’t be put through any more pain this weekend due to the international break, with the Gunners’ next fixture against Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Southampton at the Emirates.
So with limited action ahead, we’ve decided to give each and every Arsenal player who has turned out so far this season a rating.
There’s a total of 24 players who have received one, with the average rating coming in at 5.4, and just as a pre-warning, some of them don’t make for pretty viewing.
Bernd Leno - 7
Leno has made more saves than any other goalkeeper in the Premier League in the opening 12 games, and we think a 7 is a fair reflection of his season so far.
Emiliano Martinez - 6
Martinez started off well in the Gunners’ cup fixtures, but he’s struggled in recent weeks.
Hector Bellerin - 7
Bellerin is a real fan favourite at the Emirates and has been fairly solid since his return from a long-term injury.
Callum Chambers - 6
Chambers has been in and out of Emery’s side, but when he’s been selected, he’s been fairly solid.
Rob Holding - 5
Plenty was expected of Holding following his return from injury, however, he is yet to meet the heights and really struggled against Leicester before the international break.
David Luiz - 5
Luiz was brought in late in the summer to sure up the Gunners’ defence. He’s yet to do that and has blown hot and cold at the Emirates.
Sokratis - 6
Luiz has mainly partnered Sokratis, and the Greek international has probably just shaded his Brazilian teammate.
Shkodran Mustafi - 6
Mustafi was heavily criticised over the summer and was expected to leave. But to be fair, the German has stuck at it and is slowly starting to win round the Gunners faithful with some solid cup displays. He gets a 6.
Sead Kolasinac - 4
Thankfully Arsenal brought in Kieran Tierney over the summer because Kolasinac has really struggled this season. He gets a 4.
Kieran Tierney - 6
Tierney has impressed in his seven appearances so far, and surely it’s only a matter of time until he makes the left-back spot his own.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles - 4
Maitland-Niles started the campaign at right-back with Bellerin out. However, after a poor run of form, he’s featured in just four of the last 11 games.
Matteo Guendouzi - 7
Guendouzi gives his all every time he puts on the shirt, and he’s probably been the Gunners’ best midfielder this season. He’s dipped slightly of late, so he’ll be looking to get back to his early-season form following the international break.
Granit Xhaka - 1
To be honest, Xhaka is lucky to even get a 1! The Swiss midfielder looks destined to leave in the new year after his altercation with the Gunners faithful last month. His performances prior to that were woeful as well!
Lucas Torreira - 6
Another player who has been tipped to leave is Torreira. Arsenal fans will be hoping the Uruguayan stays, and that he can be deployed in his natural position in front of the back four. He receives a 6 for his performances so far.
Joe Willock - 6
Willock has been fairly up and down in recent months after a bright start, with his long-range effort against Liverpool the highlight. He’ll be hoping to force his way back into Emery’s plans following the international break.
Emile Smith-Rowe - 3
Smith-Rowe has struggled through injury, so we’ve given him a rating of three for his three appearances.
Dani Ceballos - 6
Ceballos has failed to string together a series of consistent displays for the Gunners, however, he’s shown signs of brilliance, so we’ve gone with a 6.
Mesut Ozil - 6
Another attacking midfielder who receives a 6 is Ozil. The German playmaker has been frozen out for the majority by Emery but has shown his class in his five appearances. He needs to feature more under the Spaniard.
Bukayo Saka - 6
One of Arsenal’s breakthrough stars this season has been Saka. The 18-year-old has shown maturity beyond his years and has outperformed club-record signing Nicolas Pepe in parts.
Reiss Nelson - 5
Saka’s breakthrough has ultimately hindered Nelson, who has struggled to cement his place in the side. Injuries haven’t helped the teenager either, and he’ll be hoping to come back stronger after the international break.
Gabriel Martinelli - 8
Martinelli has been brilliant. At £6m, the Gunners look like they have secured themselves a future star. The only problem with the teenager’s excellent early season form is whether or not the club can keep hold of him. He’s the first member of the squad to receive a rating higher than 7.
Nicolas Pepe - 5
We expected more from the club-record signing, and he’s found Premier League life difficult, to say the least. The 24-year-old has had a few decent performances, most notably his heroic substitute display in Europe against Vitoria, but overall, he’s been disappointing.
Alexandre Lacazette - 6
Lacazette’s season has been contrasting. Prior to his injury, the Frenchman looked good, however, after making his return, he’s really struggled to reach the heights many expected. We think 6 is a fair reflection.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 8
Let’s be honest, Aubameyang is by far the best member of the squad, and without him, the Gunners would be in even bigger trouble. He rounds off the ratings with an 8, making him the club’s best performer alongside Martinelli.