Arsenal have enjoyed the most successful league season in recent memory and are on course to claim their first title in nineteen years should they maintain the gap to rivals Manchester City in the final ten matches of the season. Mikel Arteta has seen every outfield member of his starting eleven score and players come off the bench to create moments of supreme drama.
It has been a season no one will forget and might last forever in the minds of fans should Arsenal go all the way. The squad has improved significantly in two transfer windows and everyone has had a part to play.
With just ten games remaining and with it being the last international break of the season, it seems appropriate for a review of the squad. Therefore, football.london have ranked all the members of the current squad that have contributed but the likes of Cedric Soares and Albert Sambi Lokonga who departed in January have not been considered.
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Aaron Ramsdale - 8
The Arsenal number one has managed twelve clean sheets and averaged less than a goal conceded a game in the Premier League. Aaron Ramsdale pulled off some massive saves in critical moments, most recently against Aston Villa and Bournemouth.
Matt Turner - 6
A new signing who is yet to make his Premier League debut but is in the cup competitions has experienced a mixed entrance to his new club. Matt Turner needs to work on his distribution above all else and Mikel Arteta will be hoping this can come with time.
Karl Hein – n/a
Despite starting in the sole League Cup match of the season, the third-choice keeper has played far too few games to provide a rating.
Ben White - 9
Centre-half turned right-back this season, Ben White has been an incredibly consistent presence in the Arsenal defence. His offensive game is improving consistently with last weekend’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace where he assisted Bukayo Saka in the highlight match of his season.
Takehiro Tomiyasu - 6
After the impressive campaign last season, Takehiro Tomiyasu has had some mixed performances. His highlight came in the home match with Liverpool where he locked down the left flank of Mohamed Salah but a knee injury has now ended his campaign prematurely.
William Saliba - 9
What a player William Saliba has been in this Arsenal team. Commanding, composed, elegant and generational are all fair descriptors that still feel like they underestimate the upgrade the Frenchman has on this team for the season and the hope is his recent injury issue is not serious and he’s fit to return for the trip to Anfield.
Rob Holding - 6
Reliable and the glue of the team as Aaron Ramsdale puts it. A great option to help see out games but with respect, with Saliba absent for what many hope is the short term the difference between the centre-half of Arsenal’s past and their present becomes glaringly apparent.
Gabriel Magalhães - 9
Arguably the best centre-half in the country at the moment. Gabriel Magalhaes has improved more than anyone this season and proven to be an integral irreplaceable part of Arteta’s squad with his presence, physicality, goals and coverage of more than the role of a centre-half.
Jakub Kiwior – n/a
Signed in January, Jakub Kiwior has played just two times so far with little to go off and it would be therefore unfair to rate the Poland international. What is worth saying is that he was a pleasant surprise in the winter window that few expected or perhaps knew we needed.
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 8
One of the transformative additions of the season, Oleksandr Zinchenko has redefined the left-back position at the club and when fit has been a leader amongst the group on and off the field. Due to his offensive role, there are some vulnerabilities apparent but certainly outweighed by the benefit of his inclusion.
Kieran Tierney - 6
Replaced comfortably by Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney was a player few saw losing his place for the foreseeable future but the Ukrainian has enlightened supporters to what the benefits of an inverted full-back are. Tierney has been unable to replicate his impressive form of the past in this new system but his cameo and assist against Palace showed what he can still provide to the team.
Thomas Partey - 9
The most important player in the Arsenal team, period. Thomas Partey is the best player in his position in the league and it is no surprise that in his absence the Gunners simply do not look as good.
Mohamed Elneny – n/a
Injured for the majority of the campaign, it would be unfair to rate Mohamed Elneny’s contribution. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Jorginho - 7
A controversial addition on the January deadline day after a high-profile pursuit of Moises Caicedo, Jorginho has proven the club right to invest in him after helping the Gunners in the absence of Partey. His strike at Villa to ricochet in ironic beauty off Emi Martinez will go down as one of the highlights of the season.
Granit Xhaka - 8
The biggest redemption story at Arsenal football club orchestrated by Arteta is Granit Xhaka. He said he wouldn’t leave until he achieved something special with Arsenal but after this campaign’s performances, few will be wishing to see him walk through the exit door.
Martin Odegaard - 9
The club captain and the epitome of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal vision on a football field. Martin Odegaard has taken his game to new heights this season and proven to be a world-class feature of the club’s title charge.
Fabio Vieira - 6
A transition season has brought up challenges for Fabio Vieira and despite having the club’s second-highest number of assists across the season there is plenty he can improve on. Next season will be the better period to judge after a year of adjustment but there’s reason to be excited about the Portuguese talent.
Ethan Nwaneri – n/a
Becoming the youngest Premier League player ever when he came off the bench against Brentford was a highlight of the season but he has since not played any minutes to earn a rating fairly.
Emile Smith Rowe – n/a
Having spent the majority of the season out injured, Emile Smith Rowe cannot receive a rating. His contribution between now and the end of the season though will hopefully be important.
Bukayo Saka - 9
Is there anything this star boy cannot do? Bukayo Saka continued to capture the hearts of the fan base and as we near a potential contract renewal of the utmost importance it could cap off his best season to date that he hopes ends in a trophy.
Reiss Nelson - 7
There are plenty of players in the Premier League with several times more minutes than Reiss Nelson very envious of his goal contributions this season. But most of all the final-minute strike against Bournemouth will go down in Arsenal history but will be made immortal if the Gunners edge the title this season.
Gabriel Martinelli - 9
Three goals from breaking the Premier League goalscoring record for a Brazilian set by Roberto Firmino, need I say more? The young star has taken on the complete identity of an Arsenal star and Gabriel Martinelli now seems to live and breathe the club that gave him the chance from the lower tiers of his home nation.
Leandro Trossard - 8
Has there been a greater impact from a January transfer signing? Jose Antonio Reyes and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang certainly have arguments but Leandro Trossard's contribution this season could be a difference-maker regarding their potential title win.
Gabriel Jesus - 9
Like Zinchenko, Gabriel Jesus has brought all the know-how and quality of a four-time Premier League winner. The former Manchester City forward has returned from injury but his contribution when fit cannot be ignored and should these last ten games prove to be like the first ten, the Gunners are in for a treat.
Eddie Nketiah – 8
Whoever takes on the mantle of Jesus and helps Arsenal maintain a five-point lead at the top of the table from Manchester City has put in an excellent shift. Eddie Nketiah’s four goals, with two coming crucially against Manchester United since the World Cup arguably justified his contract renewal that was so controversial in the summer. Now, the club will be hoping his recovery from a severe ankle injury is swift.
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