One accusation that can’t be levelled at Arsenal is that their star players don’t consistently perform.

Out of the 24 Man of the Match performances achieved by an Arsenal player (according to WhoScored.com), 14 were accrued by Sanchez and Ozil.

Sanchez, with a total of 10 MotM performances, has again excelled in a wide role this season scoring 24 and assisting 10.

Ozil has similarly impressed, possibly with a little less oomph than the Chilean live-wire, contributing eight goals and nine assists. Some may still question whether he plays to his full potential in the majority of his games but the countenance on his face when played behind Giroud may go some way to explaining his inefficacy.

Equally impressive this season has been Petr Cech; questions were raised last season at the goalkeeper’s form and his ability to save shots from distance. But a steady season, with some exceptional performances near the end of it highlighted the keeper’s importance to the squad and possibly negated the return of Wojciech Szczęsny next season.

In addition to these three, Nacho Monreal has proved vital in his current capacity as utility defender. As a fullback he has proved nuanced, linking well with Sanchez on the left and protecting the team’s left flank with vigour and the occasional professional foul (see fouls against Middlesborough and Palace); as a wingback, he’s provided direct running and formed an interesting partnership with Granit Xhaka who clearly prefers the lofted pass down the flank as opposed to a cross-field styled pass; and finally, as a make-do centre half – he has slotted in seamlessly – dealing well with aerial opponents and trickier players with equal success, not unlike Ceasar Azpilicueta.