Grading the Arsenal Players on Champions League Performances so Far
Arsenal are now halfway through the Champions League group stage, so an evaluation is in order.
There have already been ups and downs and sideways performances, if one can call it that, in the Gunners' brief European campaign. They started very poorly against Borussia Dortmund, turned in one of their best performances of the season against Galatasaray and snatched three points from Anderlecht, despite an abject performance.
Let's take a look at how each player has done so far. I only include those who have appeared in at least two of Arsenal's three games.
Wojeciech Szczesny: C+
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Wojecieth Szczesny would have played all three of Arsenal's Champions League games, but he was suspended for the Anderlecht match because of a red card against Galatasaray.
Szczesny is usually excellent but seems to have a penchant for poor decision-making, sometimes resulting in red cards. Once he becomes a little less reckless, he will be able to let his raw talent shine.
Kieran Gibbs: A-
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The highlight of Kieran Gibbs' European campaign thus far will no doubt be scoring a late equalizer against Anderlecht, setting the stage for Lukas Podolski to go on and win the game.
It's a just reward for him after doing excellent work both defensively and offensively on the left flank, often without any support from the likes of Santi Cazorla and Mesut Ozil.
This could be a momentous season for the Englishman.
Laurent Koscielny: B
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It's been a fairly unremarkable Champions League season for Laurent Koscielny, who has put in typically workmanlike performances in a relatively stable back four.
He has, however, had to battle though tendonitis in both Achilles, and he might be out for a while yet. That he has done as well as he has, despite such an aggravating injury, is quite remarkable, and he will be even better when he returns.
Per Mertesacker: B-
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Per Mertesacker has not been calamitous, but he is definitely far from his best.
Last season, he was a colossus, dominating the defense and often proving completely immovable. He seemed to be worse at reading the game this season and is more easily bypassed by much faster attackers.
He suffers even more when Koscielny is not beside him, so hopefully that fruitful partnership is reunited soon.
Calum Chambers: B+
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No one could have expected Calum Chambers to be as good as he has, but the Englishman is doing much better than any 19-year-old rightfully should.
Not only that, he has excelled both at right-back and in the center of the defense, where he has been forced to deputize for one of the centre-backs. Chambers is remarkably composed and mature, enhancing his obvious physical skills.
Jack Wilshere: B
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Jack Wilshere's form has waxed and waned a bit this season. He has occasionally been extremely dangerous, sometimes completely impotent and often somewhere murkily in the middle.
Such an analysis can be applied to his Champions League performances as well, which have not been consistent. They have been above-average in general but not yet up to his potential.
He does not deserve scorn but rather patience.
Mesut Ozil: B
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Mesut Ozil's Champions League performances were both horrendous and excellent.
The first, against Borussia Dortmund, was utterly abject. Ozil was nowhere to be found, and Arsenal might as well have been playing with 10 men.
The second, against Galatasaray, was man-of-the-match worthy. He dictated Arsenal's attack and was the oil in the Gunners' engine.
The one crucial difference? He was played in the middle against Gala and on the left against Dortmund.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: A-
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has played in all three of Arsenal's Champions League games and deservedly so.
In a staid attack that continues to lack drive and the ability to penetrate, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been extremely refreshing.
He has been effective both in midfield and on the wings, and he seems to be a do-it-all option for Arsene Wenger.
Aaron Ramsey: B
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Though he has not hit the heights he did last season, Ramsey has still been a good workhorse in the center of the pitch.
Part of his problem is that he is being deployed in a very clogged 4-1-4-1 formation that restricts his space and movement. He needs those two to be the dynamic box-to-box goalscorer whom his skills allow him to be.
Still, there is not too much to complain about. He just needs to be unleashed.
Santi Cazorla: B-
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Part of Santi Cazorla's problem is that he initially set an incredibly high bar for himself and has been unable to reach it on a consistent basis over the last season or so.
(That in no way references his height, by the way.)
Cazorla is one of Wenger's most trusted servants, and he does his duty well on the left wing. He just needs to inject into his game once more the spark that makes him so dangerous.
Mathieu Flamini: C
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Arsenal are much better off with Mikel Arteta on the pitch.
The Spaniard has been unfit for almost all of the Gunners' Champions League campaign and has been dutifully replaced by Mathieu Flamini.
Flamini provides extra grit and is a better protector of the back four, but Arteta is so much better at distributing the ball that the entire team plays better when he is in it.
Flamini has been average, but Arsenal need someone a bit better.
Lukas Podolski: B+
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Lukas Podolski has not appeared much for Arsenal this season, but as always, he makes the most of his time on the pitch.
There isn't much about his performances to discuss other than the last gasp winner against Anderlecht yesterday. His goal is indicative of the type of player he is: a pure goalscorer without many other skills.
That is a very valuable asset to an Arsenal side that obviously lacks that crucial extra bit of energy in the final third.
Alexis Sanchez: A
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Alexis Sanchez has undoubtedly been Arsenal's best player this season. In a team that seems to lack any passion or inspiration in attack, he takes games by the scruff of the neck and makes the rest of the team coalesce around him.
No one can know where Arsenal would be without him, but it is certainly no place desirable. Alexis often powers the attack by himself, as he seems to be the only Gunner with the determination and technical skill to manufacture chances by himself.
Danny Welbeck: A-
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Danny Welbeck's coming-out party was Arsenal's 4-1 thumping of Galatasaray, in which the Englishman scored the first hat-trick of his career.
He moved and finished excellently that day and, with three kicks, lifted off his shoulders all the pressure concomitant with being a new striker at a club.
Welbeck was not very good against Borussia Dortmund, though, missing a chance to take the lead just before half-time. And Wenger hauled him off after Anderlecht's first goal.
He just needs to find consistency now.
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