Ranking Arsenal's Top 5 Players for March 2016
March was another difficult month for Arsenal. In the space of a few days, they were knocked out of both the UEFA Champions League and the FA Cup. Their exit against Barcelona may have been expected, but going out of the domestic cup competition to Watford was a nasty shock.
Nevertheless, there were certain individuals who shone across this period. This was a month in which the side went through a process of evolution, with a number of players usurping others to claim a first-team place in a new-look Arsenal side.
By the time the Gunners faced Everton in their last game of the month, they had a team with more balance and structure than any other they’ve fielded in 2016.
In this piece, we identify the five players who impressed most in March. They are assessed by their impact on the team—it’s possible to have had a dramatic influence on the side without playing every minute across that period.
Go to the next slide to discover the first player to enjoy a strong March and begin the countdown.
5. Francis Coquelin
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March was the month in which Arsenal began to see the best of Francis Coquelin once again.
Since returning from the knee injury he picked up against West Bromwich Albion in November, the 24-year-old had not quite been his customary combative self.
However, over the course of the last few weeks, he has begun to hit his stride again. Having got some games under his belt, he looks much more like his old self.
He was particularly outstanding in the game at Goodison Park, when his partnership with Egyptian Mohamed Elneny really began to blossom. Everton’s Ross Barkley barely got a kick as Coquelin tore around the pitch winning headers and interceptions with ease.
Coquelin was even exempt from blame for Arsenal’s defeat in Barcelona—he missed with the match with a minor injury problem.
4. Alex Iwobi
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Alex Iwobi will remember this March for a long time. It was the month in which he made his full debuts at both Champions League and Premier League level, and announced himself to the fans in some style.
It was a significant surprise when the 19-year-old was named in the starting XI for Arsenal’s game against Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Most young players would have been daunted by such an occasion, but Iwobi responded superbly. The greatest compliment it’s possible to pay him is that he didn’t look remotely out of place on that hallowed turf.
Iwobi did enough to retain his place for the Premier League game against Everton. On his first league start, he grabbed his first league goal, racing on to an excellent ball from Hector Bellerin to fire between the legs of a stranded Joel Robles.
The young forward capped off his month by making his competitive debut for the senior Nigeria side. After an impressive start to April, scoring on his full home league debut against Watford, it appears this talented teenager is set to go from strength to strength.
3. David Ospina
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Earlier this season, David Ospina was greeted with howls of derision after a huge error in the Champions League home tie against Olympiakos. However, he has recovered superbly to show himself to be an able deputy for Petr Cech.
With Cech out injured, the Colombian was a regular throughout March. He acquitted himself well, making a string of impressive saves and generally looking very reliable.
One moment in particular stands out: a stunning stop to deny the great Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou. It was a save that drew a sharp intake of breath from the home crowd, who could barely believe what they had seen.
Ospina also showed some guts in March, sustaining a significant injury at Everton but playing through the pain to preserve a clean sheet and spare Matt Macey from a premature Premier League debut.
The goalkeeper’s performances will doubtless have him on the radar of several clubs ahead of the summer transfer window. If he is unhappy as Cech’s back-up, there will not shortage of takers for his services.
2. Danny Welbeck
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How the Arsenal fans must wish Danny Welbeck had been fit earlier this season. Since returning to the side, he has been a breath of fresh air.
It’s telling that he has already relegated both Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott to the substitutes' bench. Welbeck’s speed, power and movement have brought a new dimension to Arsenal’s attacking play.
The England international grabbed goals against Watford and Everton, but it’s his all-round play that has been so impressive. Welbeck has always offered work rate, but since coming back from his long-term knee problem, he has looked sharper than ever.
It remains to be seen whether or not the 25-year-old has what it takes to be Arsenal’s long-term choice at centre-forward. There are still question marks over his finishing—perhaps rightfully so, given the golden opportunity he missed to snatch an equaliser in the cup-tie against Watford.
1. Mohamed Elneny
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Arsenal’s January signing had to wait until March 5 to make his full Premier League debut. So far, it looks as if he’ll prove to be worth the wait: the Egyptian midfielder was recently named the club’s official Player of the Month.
His impact has been enormous. Despite his fantastic goal against Barcelona, sweeping a shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the box, he doesn’t have a particularly eye-catching style. However, what he does do is bring balance and structure to a team that had badly lacked it in January and February.
The 23-year-old has effectively operated as a replacement for Aaron Ramsey in the middle of the park, and he has shown what the Welshman must learn if he wants to reclaim a spot in central midfield.
Elneny plays without ego, constantly moving into space to offer an option to his team-mates. When he gets the ball, he invariably keeps it simple, giving possession to more creative individuals further up the pitch.
From a defensive point of view, his burgeoning partnership with Francis Coquelin looks very solid. The deep-lying pair provide an effective screen that has protected David Ospina’s goal very well throughout March.
As with Coquelin before him, Elneny’s introduction to the Arsenal team has brought some much-needed equilibrium to a team that was a in real mess.
