By Alfie Cairns Culshaw (Chief Editor)
Finally, the World Cup break is upon us, giving us six weeks to reflect on our season thus far and prepare for the long five months ahead, commencing on Boxing Day against West Ham.
I wrote last week about our World Cup schedule, involving everything from who is going to Qatar, when they're likely to return and what those who aren't featuring in the tournament will be up to. I ultimately concluded that the narrative that we'll collapse after the break is based on lazy assumptions that our players will run out of oxygen due to the thinness of our squad, when in actual fact we have very few players who will play major roles for nations expected to go deep into the tournament.
Of course, the break could halt our momentum and we could see a drop off in form in the new year, but it most likely won't be because of burnout from World Cup involvement. It'd likely be down to a natural drop off in consistency, a congested fixture schedule and other factors.
As I eluded to, this break gives us time to reflect on our magnificent performance thus far, and this week in particular is a good time to do so, given that in just a handful of days all the attention will turn to what is happening in Qatar.
So, I thought I'd provide some (almost) halfway Player Ratings, not including players who haven't exceeded 400 minutes on the pitch across all competitions, so nothing on the likes of Matt Turner, Reiss Nelson, Mohamed Elneny, Cedric Soares, Emile Smith Rowe, Marquinhos or even Ethan Nwaneri's single minute.
I also thought I'd go in receding order of minutes played, starting with our most used player, Gabriel Magalhaes.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 8/10 (1,665 minutes played)
Aside from a few glaring errors against Fulham and Spurs, Gabriel has been consistently solid so far this season. Although he does have a tendency to make a rash mistake usually provoked by a rush of blood or loss of concentration, generally he is successfully aggressive in duels, dominant aerially, and his passing is substantially more progressive and secure than many seem to believe.
A few outstanding performances against Leeds and Wolves when we've been under the cosh somewhat in games standout, while he continues to be a threat in the opposition penalty box from dead-ball situations, scoring important winners against Fulham and Chelsea.
He has been an ever present in the side- despite a few errors- demonstrating the faith Mikel Arteta has in him. This may, however, be somewhat indicative of the lack of competition he faces, without another left-footed centre-back in the squad at Arteta's disposal.
Granit Xhaka - 9/10 (1,536 minutes played)
Perhaps surprisingly one of the candidates for our player of the season so far, the way in which Xhaka has adapted to his new role and developed into it substantially this season compared to last campaign has been remarkable. I wrote a few weeks ago about this adaptation and did a dive into how the numbers reflect this improvement, while Daniel focused on how the soft factors have contributed to his rising stock as a left-eight.
It's the penetrative runs into that left-half space and his increased involvement in the final third that have been so impressive, and have led to seven goal contributions in all competitions already. He has ultimately demonstrated that he is a close to being an elite attacking eight, and has consistently applied this to matches every three days.
Gabriel Martinelli - 8.5/10 (1,494 minutes played)
Another who has been asked to play every three days due to the lack of depth in his position, Martinelli has hit new heights this season. Although there have certainly been dips in various games, mainly in Europe and probably down to fatigue, he's managed to maintain an incredible level of consistency in the league.
A phenomenal performance in October's 3-2 victory over Liverpool, which Brazil manager Tite single-handedly referred to as the reason he had to name the 21-year-old in his World Cup squad, probably encapsulated everything Martinelli does so well. Relentless pressing, creative, always a goal threat and the attribute that has gone to elite levels this season- his dribbling. Now, we just want his output to explode to another level- although seven goal contributions so far is still impressive.
William Saliba - 9/10 (1,487 minutes played)
I think we all believed Saliba would be pretty great, but I don't think any of us were anticipating finding a generational talent who already is putting himself in the conversation as one of the league's best central defenders. Some sublime performances, from away at Selhurst Park on the opening night of the season to pocketing Harry Kane in the North London Derby and stomping all over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Imperious is definitely the word, in every aspect of his game. Imperious in his recovery pace, imperious in the duels, imperious in his progressive passing that is always at around 92% completion. While he has on the very odd occasion demonstrated that he is human with a couple of stray balls and a few aerial issues, he has on the most part been outstanding.
Gabriel Jesus - 9/10 (1,447 minutes played)
Jesus has transformed the way this team plays, without yet hitting the output heights that we know he can. Although he is still contributing to a goal every 132 minutes, we know he can ascend to elite levels in this aspect.
His pressing, combination play, movement, dribbling and consistent ability to still get several good shots despite dropping deep to link play have all been pivotal attributes in making this side function both offensively and defensively. Aside from a disappointing display at Elland Road, Jesus has probably been Arsenal's most consistent performer, with his finishing the only element that is prohibiting his rating from being in the region of 9.5-10.
Aaron Ramsdale - 7.5/10 (1,440 minutes played)
This rating may seem a bit harsh in comparison to other ratings I've handed out so far, but it's largely not down to Ramsdale himself, but more the lack of shot-stopping action he's had to be involved in. We've conceded the fewest shots on target in the league this season, meaning most of the England goalkeeper's value has come in other areas, such as his spectacular distribution and improved assurance in commanding his box.
Seven clean sheets in 14 league games is as much down to the rest of the team as his own involvement, but he has of course played a part in that. There have been a handful of slightly dodgy moments between the sticks (the James Maddison goal, the Luuk De Jong goal etc.), but there's no doubt what he brings in possession is essential to our build-up.
Bukayo Saka - 8.5/10 (1,431 minutes played)
Saka took a little bit of time to hit his stride this season, but once he did he's been unplayable. We're a little less reliant on the 21-year-old now with our left-hand side functioning properly, perhaps meaning a little bit of attention has shifted from him, but he remains one of our primary outlets for creating chances and getting on the end of them.
Eleven goal contributions and some electric displays including in the North London Derby, at home to Liverpool and at home to PSV. I expect him to kick on further in the second half of the season and be up there competing for our player of the year award again.
Ben White - 8.5/10 (1,334 minutes played)
Like Xhaka, White has spent the season adapting to a new role, switching from operating as a central defender last season to playing at right-back this season. Also like Xhaka, it's felt like he's got better at it week on week. Unlike Xhaka, he didn't have the second-half of last season to start mastering this new set of responsibilities, and thus the pace at which he's become an elite full-back is extraordinary.
While he began as an auxiliary third centre-back, sitting back and looking to progress the ball, essentially operating as a right-sided central defender, he's developed his game significantly to provide value in the final third. He now supplies Saka with overlapping runs on that side, driving into that space and often producing accurate cut-backs from the byline. He has undergone this speedy adaptation while maintaining everything else he does impressively to an exceptional standard- aggression in the duels, expert positioning and progressive distribution from deep areas.
Martin Odegaard - 8.5/10 (1,296 minutes played)
Odegaard is another player who has seen certain aspects of his role change this season. Although he is still very much involved in the build-up and is looked to for chance creation through his metronomic passing, the Norwegian now has the added responsibility of being a presence in the box and becoming a goal threat. All the numbers (surface-level and underlying) reflect significant improvements in this aspect- he's currently our top goalscorer with six.
Our newly appointed captain has been able to exert his majestic influence on games such as Fulham, Villa and Forest at home, but has begun to produce more in some of the so called 'non-Odegaard fixtures', away from home in tough conditions- Leeds, Southampton and Wolves.
Thomas Partey - 8.5/10 (1,053 minutes played)
The only thing preventing Partey from reaching the upper echelon ratings is his fragility and absence from a stretch of games earlier in the season. The number six has demonstrated an exceptional level of consistency we haven't seen from since his move to the club in 2020, prolifically progressing the ball as the hub of our team, while protecting a back four that would get exposed regularly in transition without his presence.
He's produced in the big games against Chelsea, Spurs and Liverpool, while delivering one of the best midfield performances I've seen in a long-time against an admittedly weak Nottingham Forest side a few weeks ago- he had 125 touches.
Kieran Tierney - 7/10 (905 minutes played)
A difficult first half of the season for Tierney, who has essentially lost his place in the starting eleven for the first-time in his career. He's been asked to adapt to a new inverted role which he's not overly suited to, but has slowly started to demonstrate that he is capable of doing so, even if not to the level of certain other options in this position.
After an impressive performance against Brentford in this role, KT has been limited to European outings from the start, with Takehiro Tomiyasu often being picked over him at left-back in the league. It is possible that Arteta is protecting a player with a notoriously fragile body, and that perhaps we'll see him feature more regularly in the second part of the season when he's been able to integrate his way properly back to full fitness.
Fabio Vieira - 6.5/10 (793 minutes played)
Some positive aspects to Vieira's start to life in an Arsenal shirt and some less so. Arteta said prior to the season starting that he and his coaching staff don't want him to bulk up as they don't want him to lose some of his impressive elusiveness. I wonder if our manager will reconsider this after seeing the Portuguese struggle to cope with the physicality of the English game at times.
Nevertheless, we've seen his technical quality in glimpses, including an exceptional performance at home to Bodo/Glimt, some other promising moments in Europe, as well as a fantastic goal against Brentford and assist against Wolves in the league. Despite failing to impose himself at times, he's still managed four goal contributions in just under 800 minutes. I expect him to kick on after Christmas.
Takehiro Tomiyasu - 8/10 (774 minutes played)
Like Tierney, Tomiyasu has perhaps unluckily lost his place in the starting eleven this season. The Japanese international started the season injured, and White pounced on this opportunity and made himself undroppable at right-back.
Regardless, when Tomi has been called upon, he's generally replicated his excellent defensive contributions from last season, including a brilliant performance at left-back that negated Liverpool's Mo Salah in our win over Klopp's side at the Emirates.
Eddie Nketiah - 6.5/10 (760 minutes played)
Nketiah may be somewhat disappointed by his form this season after penning a new lucrative contract in the summer. After some very promising initial cameo performances, including a notable one at home to Fulham which changed the game for us, the striker has failed to impact games off the bench in recent times. In cup competitions, he's netted three times, a return which he'll probably not be happy with.
Sambi Lokonga - 5.5/10 (752 minutes played)
Without wanting to be too harsh, Lokonga has probably disappointed more than most this season. The Belgian was locked on to be an option at left-eight, performing well in this role in pre-season, but due to an injury to Mohamed Elneny he's spent the majority of his time as a number six. He's missed out on valuable minutes to express himself as an eight in Europa League games, and has instead been desperately trying to fill one of the most demanding positions in our system.
While his league performances against Villa and United demonstrated all his on the ball attributes- with his off the ball stuff clearly lacking- since then he's appeared to play somewhat within himself in possession in cup games, which is probably the most frustrating aspect of his season so far.
Rob Holding - 5/10 (617 minutes played)
At some point in the progression of a project, players that were fine no longer become good enough. Unfortunately for Holding, this moment has come. In 2020/21, he was our most used central defender, and probably deserved to be. In 2021/22, he fulfilled a role of closing out games, and was adept in cup competitions. This season, when we've had to call on him in Europe, he's shown that he's not capable of operating in a defence which plays on the half-way line, of whom's centre-backs have a lot of the ball.
He has been 'fine' in most games, but when we played our system against moderately decent opposition away in Eindhoven, he was exposed.
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 8/10 (600 minutes played)
Similarly to Jesus and Saliba, Zinchenko's introduction has transformed us. He decreases our dependance on Partey to progress the ball and is great at preventing quick transitions with his eagerness to win the ball back quickly. Unlike the aforementioned two, he hasn't quite been available enough to be spoken about in the same bracket as them.
There are also still question marks defensively, but in the games he has played in, we've looked substantially better as a team and he's played a pivotal role in that.
As we can see, most of our players have been at least very good, which probably explains our incredibly impressive start to the new season. Those who have underperformed are mostly squad players, who have looked a lot better when filling individual gaps in the main team than when they've all been thrown together. I look forward to writing part two to this at the end of this season and seeing most of our players with 10/10s after we've lifted the title.
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