December was not a great month but it’s easy to forget the big wins we had at the start of the month, overshadowed by the performances and results than came in the latter half.
It was hard to pick a top 3 for player of the month for December, mostly because nobody really stood out.
#3 Granit Xhaka
After an initial settling in period, Granit Xhaka started every game for Arsenal in the month of December. Although still insisting on shooting from range, Arsenal are no doubt confident that they can coach that sort of nonsense out of him.
#2 Koscielny
Arsenal kept just one cleansheet in December – against West Brom on Boxing Day – but it’s hard to point the finger of responsibility for that at Laurent Koscielny. That our two defeats came when Shkodran Mustafi was out with a hamstring injury says more about Kos’s partner, Gabriel, than it does about the Frenchman.
As always, our captain-in-waiting, was solid and dependable
#1 Alexis
4 goals and 4 assists in the Premier League and Champions League in December makes Alexis our clear winner for Player of the Month for December. He might not have been at his scintillating best as the month wore on, but he never stopped. A worthy winner in a month when more players were underpar than over.
Notable mentions:
I threw this question open to Twitter and a few players I didn’t pick for my top three made the cut according to some fans.
Here is a selection of nominations from followers:
https://twitter.com/LGoonerHoward/status/815102909981585408
Sanchez, Xhaka and Koscielny.
— Boy Genius (@ToluFrank) December 31, 2016
kos bellerin and Sanchez
— Nick Russell (@1knocker) December 31, 2016
girould xhaka koscielny
— Kyle B Ward (@KBWard61) December 31, 2016
1 Özil 2 Sánchez 3 Koscielny
— Kenboye (@87gunners) December 31, 2016
Alexis Xhaka Giroud
— Baloney (@6Baloney6) December 31, 2016
alexis, giroud, koscielny
— marblehallstv (@Marblehalls_TV) December 31, 2016
Giroud, Özil and Mustafi
— Chiggsy (@chiggsy) December 31, 2016
Koscielny. Alexis. Xhaka. https://t.co/qnMPhefeRd
— mystic gooner (@GoonerMystic) December 31, 2016