Three months and three international breaks into the season, let’s have a look at Arsenal’s top performers for the campaign so far, according to WhoScored’s analysis.
WhoScored rate individual players for each match based on a number of statistics, including passes, goals, tackles, assists, saves and many more. They then average those ratings across all the games a player has taken part in to give an overall rating for the season.
Here are the top 10 Arsenal players for 2018/19 so far, along with their rating as it stands.
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10. Hector Bellerin (6.75)
There were questions over Bellerin at the start of the campaign, particularly with the more much experienced Stephan Lichtsteiner joining the club. However, the Spaniard has really started to step up to the task recently, especially going forward, with four league assists already. Hopefully, his Swiss understudy will keep pushing him to improve.
9. Lucas Torreira (6.80)
Torreira has arguably had more of an impact on Arsenal’s performances than anyone else, but he’s been let down by WhoScored a bit here. Since they average ratings on a “per game” basis and not a “per 90” basis, the fact that almost half of Torreira’s Premier League appearances have been from the bench is dragging him down a fair bit.
Nonetheless, the Uruguayan is a worthy member of this top 10, with his interceptions, tackling, blocks and most importantly the intelligence to know where he needs to be to break up the play when Arsenal are in trouble.
He also wins a lot of free-kicks, which helps relieve pressure at one end and allows Granit Xhaka to fire them into the top corner at the other.
8. Rob Holding (6.86)
Holding wasn’t given much of a chance as an Arsenal starter at the beginning of the campaign. In fact, most fans expected him to go out on loan whilst Calum Chambers nailed down a first XI spot. Instead, Chambers left for Fulham, and Holding started six Premier League matches in a row after breaking into the team at the end of September.
The centre-back particularly caught the eye as he kept Liverpool’s dangerous front three at bay in the recent 1-1 draw with Jurgen Klopp’s side. A very solid start to the campaign overall.
7. Mesut Özil (6.99)
Özil has had some world-class performances and some less impressive showings so far, but he’s consistently Arsenal’s chief chance creator, as always. With 2 key passes per 90, there’s still room for improvement, but the fact that Aaron Ramsey is the next best creator with 1.1 per 90 shows how the Gunners still rely on their German playmaker.
The 30-year-old is also chipping in with goals a bit more regularly, with three in the league already, making him Arsenal’s third top scorer.
Click ‘Next’ for rankings 6 to 4