Player focus

As usual, Alexis Sanchez was brilliant for Arsenal during their 4-0 win away to Swansea on Saturday but there was a downside to his afternoon.

Olivier Giroud – another player on the list of great buys for Arsene Wenger? Yes, definitely!

After missing out on our Premier League clashes against Crystal Palace and Bournemouth because he had the flu, Mesut Ozil returned to his rightful place in Arsenal’s starting lineup against Swansea.

As a centreback, it’s somewhat unusual for Shkodran Mustafi to consistently complete the most passes out of anyone on the pitch.

Chuba Akpom started and played the first-half of Arsenal u23s’ 2-1 victory over bottom side Derby County on Friday.

Squad rotation was always likely with Arsenal’s FA Cup clash away against Championship opposition, and Ainsley Maitland-Niles made his third start for the senior side this season after impressing in previous fixtures.

Lucas Perez is very quickly becoming a player I like a lot.

Alexis Sanchez put in an almost complete performance against Crystal Palace – all that was missing was the goal that eluded him.

Kieran Gibbs made only his second Premier League start of the campaign during our Boxing Day victory over West Brom and once again proved why he is a credible replacement for Nacho Monreal, who is three years his elder and has struggled for consistency so far this term.

To appreciate Mesut Ozil, you need to watch him live

On yet another frustrating afternoon for Arsenal, centre-back Laurent Koscielny was unsurprisingly one of the visitors’ best performers against Manchester City.

After Gabriel had a surprisingly successful spell at right-back in place of the injured Hector Bellerin, he appears to have improved at centreback as well.

All players take an undetermined amount time to return to their best form after coming back from injury.

After an impressive display against West Ham last weekend, it came as a surprise to me that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain didn’t start against Basel in midweek.

Granit Xhaka started for Arsenal against Basel, facing not only his former side but his brother also and quietly put in another excellent display despite what the Mirror want to believe.

He makes things happen but he’s high-risk, high-reward player. Just how has Wenger got the Ox flying?

Alexis Sanchez was given 10 out of 10 for his performance against West Ham on Saturday so it is no surprise to see him named in teams of the week across Europe.

It was a mixed afternoon for the creative midfielder, who was heavily involved defensively for large periods but adapted accordingly when Bournemouth had momentum on their side with a two-goal deficit to overturn.

Alexis Sánchez was at his superlative best: netting a well-taken hattrick, creating an assist as well as numerous promising chances too during Arsenal’s 5-1 thrashing over West Ham on Saturday evening.

Left wing. Right wing. Centre midfield. Centre attacking midfield. Aaron Ramsey can play in all four of those positions, and it may be the reason why Arsenal end up selling him in the summer.