Arsenal: Full Report Card for Every Position for January
January was a good month for Arsenal. After defeat on New Year's Day at Southampton, the Gunners responded with four consecutive wins, including a landmark victory over Manchester City.
In this piece, we give a grade to every Arsenal player on their performances in January. Remember: It is not a judgement on their overall ability, merely on the contribution they have made across that calendar month. To what extent did they contribute to the Arsenal cause?
It’s worth noting that as these performance ratings apply purely to last month, the 5-0 win over Aston Villa that marked the start of February has not been taken into account. Apologies to Mesut Ozil.
Go to the next slide as we run through the Arsenal squad on a position-by-position basis.
Goalkeepers
1 of 7
Wojciech Szczesny
January was a month to forget for Wojciech Szczesny. After an error-strewn display against Southampton, he was caught smoking in the shower and was dropped from the side.
He returned for the FA Cup game against Brighton & Hove Albion but did not look at his best as Arsenal shipped two goals to the Championship side. He now faces a fight to reclaim his place as first-choice goalkeeper.
Grade: D
David Ospina
This may be remembered as the month David Ospina seized the No. 1 shirt from Szczesny. After taking the Pole's place in the side, Ospina managed to go the entire month without conceding a goal.
The only mark against his name is that we haven't seen him come under enormous pressure yet. Thus far, his defence have protected him superbly.
Grade: A-
Right-Backs
2 of 7
Mathieu Debuchy
Mathieu Debuchy made a major error against Southampton, giving Szczesny a hospital pass which led directly to the Saints' second goal.
In the next league fixture against Stoke City, the Frenchman picked up a dislocated shoulder which will keep him sidelined for several months. It's desperately unfortunate for a player who had already overcome a significant ankle injury this season.
Grade: C-
Calum Chambers
Calum Chambers had a difficult game on New Year's Day, returning to his former club Southampton in an unfamiliar midfield role. He fared better later in the month, particularly in the FA Cup.
He put in a composed performance at centre-half alongside Per Mertesacker in the tie with Hull City. Restored to the full-back position against Brighton, he tore to the byline to create the opener for Theo Walcott.
There had been a fear he was being pushed too hard too fast. The arrival of Gabriel Paulista means Chambers' development as a defender can now return to a more appropriate pace.
Grade: B-
Hector Bellerin
The 19-year-old Spaniard appears to have leapfrogged Chambers as Debuchy's immediate deputy.
This was a huge month for Hector Bellerin, primarily as he was picked ahead of Chambers for the match at Manchester City, where he excelled. His speed and enthusiasm make him an exciting proposition at full-back.
Grade: B+
Left-Backs
3 of 7
Kieran Gibbs
Kieran Gibbs appears to have fallen behind Nacho Monreal in manager Arsene Wenger's thinking. Niggling injuries have been a factor and allowed Monreal to put a consistent run of games together that have seen him secure the position for himself.
Gibbs performed well at Brighton, but he now faces a serious fight to reclaim a regular place.
Grade: B-
Nacho Monreal
To the surprise of many, Monreal has ended the month as Wenger's first-choice left-back.
A spell at centre-half appears to have toughened up the Spanish international. While he doesn't offer Gibbs' athleticism or dribbling ability, he seems like a more solid defensive option. Currently, Arsenal look better with him in the side.
Grade: A-
Centre-Backs
4 of 7
Laurent Koscielny
The Frenchman was surprisingly poor against Southampton in the month's first fixture and also had a shaky game at Brighton in the FA Cup. Nevertheless, Laurent Koscielny's return to the team has been a huge boost for Arsenal, and he was outstanding during the win against Manchester City.
Grade: B+
Per Mertesacker
This Per Mertesacker is a long way away from the ponderous figure we saw at the start of the season.
With Koscielny back alongside him, his confidence is growing, and the fatigue caused by his prolonged World Cup campaign seems way behind him.
Grade: A-
Midfielders
5 of 7
Francis Coquelin
Francis Coquelin had the perfect month. Not only has he established himself as a critical component in the Arsenal first team, but he's entered into negotiations with the club over a new three-year deal.
The Frenchman deserves enormous credit for seizing his chance so spectacularly.
Grade: A
Mathieu Flamini
Arsenal fans will be delighted that the emergence of Coquelin appears to have relegated Mathieu Flamini to the substitutes bench.
The reasons they're glad to see the back of him were evident in his disappointing appearance at Brighton, when his failure to close down his man resulted in the needless concession of a goal.
Grade: C
Aaron Ramsey
Although Aaron Ramsey is yet to rediscover his shooting boots, his return has added physicality and presence to the Arsenal midfield.
He's shown a willingness to be more conservative in his approach, which has benefited the defensive balance of the side.
Grade: B
Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Young midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles made a brief cameo appearance against Hull but barely got a kick before the full-time whistle blew.
Grade: C-
Attacking Midfielders
6 of 7
The diminutive Spaniard is one of the most in-form players in English football. Santi Cazorla's form across January has been delightful, but his breathtaking display at the Etihad still stands out. The smallest man on the pitch stood head and shoulders above every other player.
Grade: A+
Tomas Rosicky
Tomas Rosicky's masterful performance at Brighton was one of the best of his Arsenal career. This month, he has demonstrated that he still has plenty to offer the first-team squad. Perhaps because of his lack of opportunities in the first half of the season, he looks fresher than many of his team-mates. The ageless Czech playmaker seems set to play a major role between now and May.
Grade: A-
Mesut Ozil
Mesut Ozil made his first start in several months in the FA Cup tie at Brighton, and he marked his comeback with a well-taken goal to send the Gunners on their way to the next round.
Grade: B
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's robust style continues to be an important part of Arsenal's first-choice XI.
Working in tandem with Alexis Sanchez, Oxlade-Chamberlain ensures the opposition full-back never gets a moment's rest. That has been a crucial factor in Arsenal's improved defensive record: They now defend all the way from the front.
Grade: B
Strikers
7 of 7
Olivier Giroud
Olivier Giroud was absent against Southampton due to suspension, but he made his presence felt since with some dominating displays at centre-forward.
Crucially, he has begun scoring against big teams. His goal at the Etihad may be one of the most crucial of his Arsenal career to date.
Grade: A-
Alexis Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez's sheer effort ensures a base level of performance that means his grade is never likely to dip significantly.
January saw more of the same from the Chilean, including a particularly eye-catching brace against Stoke City.
Grade: A-
Joel Campbell
Before heading off to join Villarreal on loan, Joel Campbell put in a half-decent display against Hull City in the cup; however, his failure to convert a presentable opportunity may have sounded the death knell for his Arsenal career.
Grade: B-
Chuba Akpom
Chuba Akpom has made a couple of brief appearances in the first team without too much tangible reward. His best performance came at Brighton, when more unselfish play might have led to Arsenal improving their tally.
Grade: C+
Theo Walcott
Walcott began to take baby steps in his comeback in January, including the significant moment of his first goal in a calendar year against Brighton. Although his finishing was a little wayward at times, it's clear he hasn't lost any pace since returning from his knee ligament problem.
Grade: B
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