A Progress Report on Arsenal's Squad Entering March International Break

Since the turn of the year, Arsenal have looked like a team on the up.

After the nadir of their defeat to Stoke City in December, the team have recovered and look like cementing a place in the top four and reaching a second consecutive FA Cup final.

In this piece, we look at the progress every player has made in the calendar year to date, awarding a grade to each individual. Here is a guide to the grading system employed:

• A indicates positive development
• B indicates stasis
• C indicates regression

Remember: the grade is an indicator of their development rather than their raw ability.

Read on to discover how Arsenal players have improved or otherwise in the early part of 2015.

Goalkeepers

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Wojciech Szczesny

After making two errors against Southampton on New Year’s Day, Wojciech Szczesny has largely been relegated to second-choice goalkeeper at Arsenal. He has looked solid enough on his outings in the FA Cup, but with David Ospina seemingly cemented as first choice, the Pole’s future at the club must be in doubt.

Grade: C

David Ospina

Over the course of 2015, Ospina has gone from making his Premier League debut to confirming his status as Arsene Wenger’s first-choice goalkeeper. There is still room for improvement; he can look a little nervous coming off his line and has a tendency to palm the ball back in to danger. However, he has certainly made significant progress since January.

Grade: A-

Defenders

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Hector Bellerin

Young Spaniard Hector Bellerin continues to go from strength to strength. At the back end of last year, he endured difficult displays against both Dortmund and Stoke. However, he has recovered to establish himself as a genuine rival to Mathieu Debuchy as first-choice right-back.

Grade: A

Calum Chambers

A little like Phil Jones at Manchester United, Calum Chambers seems to be suffering from a lack of clarity over his best position. He has fallen behind Bellerin in the pecking order at right-back, while the arrival of Gabriel Paulista has pushed him down the rankings at centre-back too.

Grade: B-

Nacho Monreal

Spain international Nacho Monreal has been one of the pleasant surprises of Arsenal’s season. A spell at centre-back appears to have toughened him up, and since January, he has edged ahead of Kieran Gibbs as the first-choice left-back.

Grade: A

Kieran Gibbs

Kieran Gibbs’ development appears to have stalled somewhat. Although he remains an outstanding athletic specimen and competent defender, he has not kicked on as Arsene Wenger may have hoped he would.

Grade: B-

Per Mertesacker

Per Mertesacker has largely been solid despite playing an enormous amount of football this season. However, the nightmare he endured in the home leg against Monaco in the Champions League counts against him. Despite his obvious qualities, there are rumblings about Arsenal needing to replace him come the summer.

Grade: B-

Laurent Koscielny

Frenchman Laurent Koscielny remains Arsenal’s most reliable centre-half. Since January, he has looked fitter and more comfortable on the field. His performance in the away leg against Monaco was particularly outstanding.

Grade: A-

Gabriel Paulista

January signing Gabriel Paulista has made a limited but positive impression and shown that he could yet be a long-term partner for Koscielny. A call-up to the senior Brazil squad was just reward for his impressive start to life in England.

Grade: B

Midfielders

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Francis Coquelin

2015 looks like being Francis Coquelin’s year. The young Frenchman has risen from the reserves to become one of the first names on Arsene Wenger’s teamsheet. He was fully deserving of his new contract.

Grade: A

Mathieu Flamini

Coquelin’s rise to prominence has coincided with Mathieu Flamini falling out of the first-team picture. When he has played, he has looked nervy in possession. It would be no great surprise to see him depart the club in the next transfer window.

Grade: C

Aaron Ramsey

Aaron Ramsey has suffered with injury already in 2015, but when he has been fit, he has looked markedly better than the player who struggled in the early part of the campaign. The goalscoring form of 2013/14 has also shown signs of returning.

Grade: B+

Santi Cazorla

Redeployed as a deep-lying midfielder, Santi Cazorla has arguably been in the best form of his Arsenal career. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of his development has been his ability to cope with the physical battle in the middle of the park.

Grade: A

Tomas Rosicky

Tomas Rosicky’s Arsenal career appears to be winding down. He’s becoming an increasingly infrequent presence in the team, although he always provides a customary injection of energy and imagination when he is selected.

Grade: B-

Mesut Ozil

Mesut Ozil looks like a different player to the one who disappointed in the aftermath of the World Cup. A spell on the sidelines has allowed him time to bulk up in the gym and rediscover his appetite for the game, and the results have been fantastic.

Grade: A

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Injury problems have seen Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contribution fall away in the second half of the campaign. Nevertheless, he remains an effective and valued member of the squad.

Grade: B

Forwards

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Olivier Giroud

Olivier Giroud has enjoyed a fantastic campaign, bouncing back from a fractured leg to deliver with an emphatic goalscoring riposte to his critics.

Grade: A

Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez’s form has dipped dramatically since January, largely due to the fatigue of playing a first season without a winter break.

Grade: B-

Danny Welbeck

Although his goal at Old Trafford made headlines, it was an isolated occurrence in 2015. Danny Welbeck must hit the net more frequently if he is to secure a regular place.

Grade: B

Theo Walcott

England international Theo Walcott is struggling for game time amid intense competition for places. At present, it is difficult to see him remaining at Arsenal beyond the summer.

Grade: C

Chuba Akpom

Chuba Akpom made a couple of impressive cameos in January and recently signed a new long-term deal with the club.

Grade: B