How Do You Rate the Arsenal Defenders' Performances Thus Far?

So far this season, Arsene Wenger and his talented men have made several servings of humble pie and forced all critics to have a slice.

Arsene Wenger was criticized for not buying any players during the Summer Transfer Window. Critics believed the Arsenal squad was to weak and not capable of performing with the rest of the "Big Four." Others criticized, insisting Arsenal would fall out of the the top four.

But, fortunately, Arsenal have started their 2009/2010 campaign with a huge bang. Despite two "unlucky" losses in Manchester, the Arsenal squad has performed superbly, playing a new style of footballing and scoring a heap of goals. Arsenal have won 15 out of their 19 games played so far.

So how to you rate the Arsenal players (out of 10)?

Goalkeepers

Manuel Almunia: 5.5: The goalkeeper role has been probably the poorest aspect of Arsenal's performance. Manuel Almunia has not start the season in ideal fashion, making some costly errors and struggling with injury.

Łukasz Fabiański : N/A: So far the Polish keeper has been marred by injury. Only one performance, which he did perform well in.

Vito Mannone: 6: No one expected the young Italian to make the impact he did. Rushed into first team action after first choice Almunia and deputy Fabianski fell to injury. The Italian started slow but then had some stunning performances, the Fulham encounter the most notable. However errors did begin to creep in to his play.

Wojciech Szczęsny: N/A: The teenager sensation was lucky enough to be handed a senior debut, thanks to a host of keeper injuries.

Defenders

Bacary Sagna: 8: The consistent Frenchman has performed extremely well so far this season. Sagna has been his usual strong, no nonsense defender and has also improved his attack, proving more than useful down the right hand flank. His improvement was evident when he earned to assists in the derby encounter with Tottenham.

Emmanuel Eboue: 7: Defender/midfielder it ceases to matter as the versatile Ivorian has improved a bucket load since last season. After the drama that took place last season Eboue has allowed Bacary Sagna to rest mid week whilst he deputizes at right back in the European encounters. Eboue has also been a useful threat in the midfield and off the bench.

Kerrea Gilbert: 6: Returned to the club after a long stint of loans. The Hammersmith born right back has proved a doughty defender in the League Cup.

Gavin Hoyte: 6.5:  Proving he is a capable and up and coming defender whilst away on loan at Brighton & Hove Albion. Has Shown good strength, speed, and aerial ability.

William Gallas: 8:  Since being moved to the right side of the center half William Gallas has become are incredibly strong defender. Since moving to the Emirates in 2006 the Frenchman has not been at his strongest but now it finally looking like the defender he once was.

Confident in the air and on the ground the former Captain has also struck up a immensely dominant defending relationship with Thomas Vermaelen.

Thomas Vermaelen: 9: Quite frankly so far one of the buy of the decade. Arrived from Ajax during the Summer transfer window the talented Belgium captain has mimic Tony Adams. With Kolo Toure departing to big spenders Manchester City, a able replacement was needed and Wenger found him.

Costing only £10 milion the Belgium defender has not only defended superbly, showed tremendous perserverance and strength to win balls in air and on ground but has scored some stunning goals.

Mikael Silvestre: 6: Limited opportunities for the veteran defender but has proved a great leader to the young boys in the League Cup.

Philippe Senderos: 6: Like Silvestre has received limited opportunity but has performed and lead will in the League Cup.

Johan Djourou: N/A: Sadly the Swiss youngster has a serious injury and is unlikely to feature this season.

Harvard Nodtveit: 6.5: Is receiving some quality and valuable experience whilst away on loan with German side FC Nuremberg. Although the German side is struggling for wins the Norwiegan is continuing to show he is a classy defender.

Pedro Botelho: N/A: Unknown how the talented teenager is performing.

Gael Clichy: 7: Recently hit with injury but has been performing credibly. Ensured he is hard to get past and is also a handy attacker.

Kieran Gibbs:7: The youngster has been a standout when given a go. A handful of games so far and the Englishman has barely put a foot wrong. Quick, strong and intelligent its no wonder rumours are circling over a possible World Cup spot.

Armand Traore:N/A: After a stellar loan spell at Portsmouth last season the French defender is currently out injured.