Arsenal: Full Report Card for Every Position for September
September was a mixed month for Arsenal. After returning from the international break, they struggled for consistency across three competitions.
Arsenal have looked very much like a team still in development. Arsene Wenger has struggled to identify his best XI, with changes in personnel and system frequent.
In this piece, we grade every Arsenal player on their performances in September. It is not a judgement on their overall ability, merely on the contribution they have made across that calendar month.
It’s worth noting that as these performance ratings apply purely to last month, the Champions League match against Galatasaray has not been taken into consideration.
Go to the next slide as we run through the Arsenal squad on a position-by-position basis.
Goalkeepers
1 of 7
Wojciech Szczesny
Throughout September, Wojciech Szczesny’s shot-stopping was as good as ever. He made a series of late stops to prevent Manchester City winning at the Emirates, while his superb block prevented Ciaran Clark from grabbing the opening goal at Villa Park.
Without Szczesny’s reactions, Arsenal’s Premier League points tally might be considerably worse. However, there are still areas he needs to improve. His distribution is often unnecessarily risky, inviting pressure on his team when a more simple ball could relieve the strain.
Grade: B+
David Ospina
David Ospina made his Arsenal debut in the Capital One Cup tie against Southampton. Although he made several routine saves, he will be disappointed to have been beaten from distance by Nathaniel Clyne. Although the shot was hit with immense power, it was effectively straight at him.
Grade: B-
Right-Backs
2 of 7
Mathieu Debuchy
Mathieu Debuchy picked up an injury during the Manchester City game and hasn’t been seen since. His loss is a significant one: Against City, as in most of his nascent Arsenal career, he was committed and reliable.
Grade: C-
Calum Chambers
Calum Chambers continues to go from strength to strength. Whether at centre-back or right-back, he is incredibly confident on the ball and astute with his positioning. His tackling can be a little rash, but it’s hard to be too critical of someone who plays with such enthusiasm and charisma. His grade is probably boosted by the fact that he missed the mauling at Dortmund with tonsillitis.
Grade: A-
Hector Bellerin
Hector Bellerin made his first senior start away to Dortmund. Although he experienced a difficult night, he recovered to give a capable performance against Southampton in the Capital One Cup. On more than one occasion, Bellerin showcased his tremendous speed to keep the Saints from extending their lead.
Grade: B-
Left-Backs
3 of 7
Kieran Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs is enjoying a good run of form. After being part of the beleaguered back four in Dortmund, his performances against Aston Villa and Tottenham were both outstanding.
Grade: B+
Nacho Monreal
Nacho Monreal failed to cover himself in glory against Manchester City, and shortly afterwards, he succumbed to a back problem that kept him sidelined for the rest of the month. With Gibbs in such terrific form, the Spaniard may struggle to reclaim a regular place.
Grade: C
Francis Coquelin
Francis Coquelin’s only appearance of the month came in the unfamiliar role of left-back against Southampton. To widespread surprise, he was excellent. The young Frenchman was arguably Arsenal’s best player on the night, demonstrating his versatility, discipline and love of a tackle.
Grade: B
Centre-Backs
4 of 7
Laurent Koscielny
But for Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal’s start to the season could have been even more disappointing. He has been largely superb, producing several outstanding individual performances despite the Gunners’ disturbing lack of defensive organisation.
Grade: A-
Per Mertesacker
Per Mertesacker is yet to show his excellent form of 2013/14. As the most experienced player in the Arsenal back four, he should be doing more to rally and organise those around him. Gunners fans will hope he will soon sober up from a distinctive World Cup hangover.
Grade: B
Isaac Hayden
Isaac Hayden made just one appearance against Southampton, but he showed enough potential to suggest he may get more chances before the season is out. With Arsenal distressingly short of defenders, Hayden’s assured display means he has effectively become the de facto fourth choice.
Grade: B-
Midfielders
5 of 7
Mathieu Flamini
It has not been a good September for Mathieu Flamini. He began the month by failing to track Sergio Aguero for the opening goal in the game against Manchester City. He ended it by losing the ball to gift Spurs their goal in the north London derby. Those two costly mistakes have seen Flamini become a lightning rod from criticism from the Arsenal fans.
Grade: C-
Mikel Arteta
At Dortmund, Mikel Arteta endured something of a personal nightmare. He was completely overpowered and overrun in the midfield. However, he bounced back to produce a solid-enough display at Villa Park. The calf injury he suffered against Spurs undoubtedly interrupted Arsenal’s flow, and they’ll be keen to see their captain back soon.
Grade: C
Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey has been far below his best, but he still brings an invaluable energy and physicality to the Arsenal midfield. He has been at his best when deployed in a deeper role, such as at Villa Park. Arsenal fans will hope that he returns from his enforced layoff with a willingness to take his game back to basics.
Grade: B-
Jack Wilshere
Jack Wilshere was brilliant against Manchester City, capping a man-of-the-match display with a majestic, equalising goal. However, his form has tailed off somewhat since. With Ramsey ruled out for a number of weeks, the onus is on Wilshere to deliver that kind of match-winning display more regularly.
Grade: B
Abou Diaby
Abou Diaby’s sole senior appearance came in a new role as a holding midfielder. Although he could only last an hour, there were some encouraging signs from the injury-hit Frenchman. If he can stay fit, he could provide a useful alternative to Flamini and Arteta in the season’s later months.
Grade: B-
Attacking Midfielders
6 of 7
The diminutive Spaniard is struggling to hold down a regular place in the Arsenal team. It’s strange, because when he does play, he invariably performs well. At Villa Park, Santi Cazorla was the oil in Arsenal’s engine, bringing slick passing and intelligent movement to the left-hand side of the field. However, he then found himself out of the team for the Tottenham game. Cazorla will be satisfied with his own performances but frustrated by the lack of playing time.
Grade: B
Tomas Rosicky
Tomas Rosicky is another player who might have felt aggrieved at a lack of opportunities. However, when given the chance to play against Southampton, the Czech veteran was very disappointing. His performances must improve if he wants to be considered for higher-profile games.
Grade: C
Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil has had a very mixed month. He was disappointing against Manchester City, then dire in Dortmund. Restored to the centre at Villa Park, he shone with a goal and an assist. Against Tottenham, his positive trajectory continued with another impressive display. Ozil will hope he has turned a corner and that October brings more opportunities to play in his preferred No. 10 role.
Grade: B
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Over the past month, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has fought his way into the Arsenal XI. A series of impressive substitute appearances led to him being named in the team for the emphatic victory at Villa Park. He then kept that spot for the north London derby, netting the crucial equaliser with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. His early-season form suggests this could be a big season for the England international.
Grade: A-
Strikers
7 of 7
Danny Welbeck
Danny Welbeck’s first month as an Arsenal player has been promising. Although he missed a couple of great chances against Manchester City and Dortmund, he immediately endeared himself to Gunners fans with his work rate and link play. He got off the mark against Aston Villa, and he seems to be showing signs of striking up an effective partnership with Ozil.
Grade: B
Alexis Sanchez
When he has had the chance to play, Alexis Sanchez has largely been excellent. He scored exquisite goals against both City and Southampton, and his work rate is second to none. Strangely, he was left out of the starting XIs for the games against Aston Villa and Tottenham. Given his goalscoring potential, it is difficult to see that trend continuing in October.
Grade: A-
Joel Campbell
After a three-year wait, Joel Campbell made his first competitive start for Arsenal against Southampton. However, he failed to make a significant impact. The arrival of Welbeck appears to have pushed the Costa Rican even further down the pecking order, and it is difficult to foresee a situation in which he might get a run of games in the Gunners side.
Grade: C
Lukas Podolski
Lukas Podolski’s form has taken something of a nosedive in the early part of this season. Perhaps he is still recovering from a summer at the World Cup, or perhaps he is struggling to find form without regular football. He started against Southampton, but he looked well off the pace. At the moment, he is little more than an expensive reserve.
Grade: C
Chuba Akpom
Chuba Akpom made a brief cameo against Southampton, but he was not given enough time to make an impression.
Grade: C-
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