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.
10-7
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
6-4
6. Granit Xhaka (7.02)
Xhaka’s performances have really improved with Lucas Torreira alongside him this season. He’s still made the occasional error, giving the ball away for a couple of counter-attack goals. However, Arsenal run most of their plays through him, and it’s easy to see they miss something without him.
The midfielder also has a couple of free-kick goals this season, which is always useful to have in tight matches.
5. Petr Cech (7.05)
Bernd Leno’s recent impressive performances have made some fans forget how well Petr Cech was playing before his injury. He kept Arsenal in a number of games with his saves, and the only real criticism was that he struggled to adapt to Unai Emery’s style playing the ball out from the back.
Unfortunately for Cech, Leno is doing well in both aspects of the game right now, so the 36-year-old may struggle to win his place back.
4. Nacho Monreal (7.06)
Like Cech, Monreal has had his campaign disrupted by injury so far. However, when he is in the team, he adds a lot to Arsenal’s attacks in wide areas.
Another thing not mentioned quite as often is how good the Spaniard has been in the air. He’s winning 2.1 aerial duels per game, compared to the 1 per game Kolasinac is managing in his place. It’s just about returning to the side and staying fit now.
Click ‘Next’ for the top three
3-1
3. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (7.07)
Just one goal off the Premier League’s top scorer Sergio Aguero, Aubameyang continues to show why he’s been one of Europe’s most prolific strikers in recent years. He won the Premier League Player of the Month award for October, after five goals and one assist in three games, although his form has dropped off a bit on the left since November began.
Nonetheless, when the striker is playing in the middle or coming off the bench he looks deadly.
2. Shkodran Mustafi (7.24)
This is probably a good time to remind everyone that these rankings are done on WhoScored ratings, not personal opinion. Despite his critics, Mustafi consistently racks up high numbers when it comes to winning duels, tackles, interceptions and the like.
The issue is that often comes at the expense of proper positioning, or involves him taking risks that could easily lead to giving away a penalty or a clear-cut chance. Nonetheless, WhoScored clearly think the defender is having a good season, and if he plays like that Liverpool game every week then I’m not going to argue.
1. Alexandre Lacazette (7.30)
It’s hard to have any arguments with Arsenal’s number one rated player of the campaign so far. Lacazette has five goals and two assists, and his all-around game has been very impressive.
The Frenchman is in the top 5 in the squad for aerial duels per game (behind three defenders and Xhaka), he’s in the top three for chances created (behind Özil and Ramsey), his shots per game are up on last season, and his goals have come at some pretty crucial points.
If the wide players can create chances a bit more effectively for him, Lacazette will easily surpass his goalscoring tally for last season and, hopefully, lead Arsenal to top four and a trophy by doing so.