With 2017 coming to a close, it’s time to look back on Arsenal’s three best performers of the year. There haven’t been many obvious candidates.

Finding three players was tough going, and not because there were so many to choose from. It was very much the opposite, with the Gunners struggling last season.

FA Cup win aside, Arsenal’s form in the Premier League was well below expectations, and a number of players will feel they have should have done better.

However, there were enough stand-out performers who deserve credit for the way they’ve played during those difficult periods.

Goalkeeper – Petr Cech

For every new mistake Cech makes in his old age, he produces a top save that reminds us he’s still one of the best in the Premier League.

Arsenal’s defence hasn’t always been tight, and it was only because of Cech’s fine form in the second half of last season that we had a chance of getting into the top-four.

This season has shown more signs that he’s fading, but Arsenal’s defensive record would be much worse without him, in my opinion. His performance against Burnley was as authoritative as the Cech of old. There’s still life in the old dog.

Defender – Nacho Monreal

Monreal could well be Arsenal’s Player of the Year. As a left-back, he was a reliable performer but last season saw a number of teams attack his flank and a get lot of joy.

It was those fading performances that perhaps spurred Wenger into signing a new left-back in the summer. Fortunately for Monreal, he was able to rediscover his form, as a left-sided centre-back.

He’s looked a natural in the middle of the defence. Years of full-back experience helps him defend in wide positions, while his intelligence means he defends the middle of the pitch well too.

Monreal was one of the key men in the FA Cup final, and he’s taken his form into this season for Arsenal – two goals, a Player of the Month award and a handful of solid performances make him one of our star performers

We’re now at the point where we wouldn’t blink twice seeing his name as part of a back three.

Forward – Alexis Sanchez

Let’s not pretend Alexis Sanchez isn’t the best player we have in the Arsenal team, despite his form being inconsistent this season.

The Chilean has scored 22 goals in all competitions in 2017, netting in the FA Cup semi-final and final.

He’s not been at his best during the first half of this campaign, but it’s undeniable he’s still Arsenal’s key man in attack, capable of beating defenders and scoring from anywhere in and around the penalty area.

Alexis’ future remains up for debate, and his goal contribution for Arsenal shows he’ll be a big loss if he does leave in January or next summer at the end of his contract.

No matter how frustrating he can be, the 29-year-old still looks the most likely to create something out of nothing.