With another interlull underway, let’s take a quick look at how the players have been faring this season so far.

If you missed the goalkeepers’ review, you can read that here. For now, let’s do the defenders…

Nacho Monreal 7

Nacho Monreal turns 33 in February yet his biggest contribution this season has arguably been to show us how lacking we are in the fullback department by spending the last three weeks out injured. It’s felt like longer, huh?

Although he’s been on the verge of a comeback for the last three games, Arsenal have really suffered without him in the side and Sead Kolasinac, once one of the best fullbacks in the Bundesliga, has been found sorely lacking when he has been fit.

Monreal’s contract runs out in the summer and there’s no talk about this fan favourite getting a new deal. Clubs back in his homeland have been sniffing around and, if Unai Emery decides he wants a younger model to take that slot, then Nacho won’t have any shortage of offers.

What gives me hope is that Arsenal purchased Stephan Lichtsteiner to be an experienced role model as well as back-up for Hector Bellerin and that is a strategy I can get behind.

Either way, one of Monreal or Kolasinac is likely to leave in the summer to make way for a young whipper-snapper.

Sead Kolasinac 5.5

Although he’s suffered an injury this season, when he has taken to the pitch Sead Kolasinac has largely been disappointing.

His arrival at the club last summer really seemed to kick Nacho Monreal up a level and Kola hasn’t been able to cope or offer anything that makes you think he deserves to be in the side ahead of his more senior colleague.

He’s packed full of heart but that’s not all you need to make it at a club like Arsenal and I feel if we are genuinely harbouring ideas of a better future then we should be demanding a higher calibre of player back there.

Hector Bellerin 7

Hector Bellerin was another player who seemed to be coming to the end of his time at Arsenal under Arsene Wenger, even though he signed a super-long contract tieing him to the club until 2023.

He was stagnating so badly it seemed like he was going backwards when, in reality, he was being played into the ground with little by way of guidance.

To rectify that, Arsenal brought in one of the most experienced players in that position on the planet – Stephan Lichtsteiner – from whom the young Spaniard can learn and he has certainly grasped his chance this season, averaging an assist every three games.

Sokratis 7

When Sokratis was signed in the summer there was much derision, especially from opposition fans.

But the big Greek defender has been a solid addition to the back line and his pace, or lack of it, has not caused too many undue problems.

Laurent Koscielny NA

Another who has missed the majority of the season, Laurent Koscielny is being eased back slowly but there is still no word on when we can expect to see official club captain.

Stephan Lichtsteiner 6

Arriving on a free transfer from Juventus, we knew that Stephan Lichtsteiner would not be the same player that dominated in Italy for so long. That being said, he has brought a new level of shithousery to the side and even referees agree there is no more annoying footballer in the game.

His time on the pitch has been limited – and varied – but the guidance he will be offering off the pitch is worth his wages alone.

Rob Holding 7

Rob Holding has been, perhaps, the biggest beneficiary at the back in terms of Unai Emery’s arrival.

To many, it looked like he would be a summer casualty but the Spaniard likes him and Holding has responded with mature displays when called upon.

Many would have considered Calum Chambers more likely to forge an Arsenal career but it seems like the young man from Bolton will stick around a lot longer than the chap from Southampton.

12 appearances this season, with seven in the Premier League is more than I’m sure even Holding was expecting this season.

Shkodran Mustafi 5

It seemed, initially, that Shkodran Mustafi would be another to benefit from a new coaching set-up, but any early season gains seem to have been lost.

Still to keen to dive in in the box but to slow to the same on the half-way line, it’s really hard to trust the German to make the right decision at a vital moment and it’s hard to see how Arsenal keep him beyond the summer, presuming they can find a buyer.

Carl Jenkinson 5

I was tempted to give Carl Jenkinson a 10 simply for the fact he is still, somehow, at Arsenal and playing minutes for the first team.

That’s all I can really say about Carl, if I’m honest.

Konstantinos Mavropanos NA

Arsenal’s forgotten man, Dinos has been injured all season and was expected back this month.