MIDFIELD: 8/10
Arsenal are blessed with a very creative and attack minded midfield, and one of the best in the Premier League. Alexis Sanchez, a winger and a finisher by style has been played in the attacking midfield spot and has been exceptional this season with his flair, goals and work rate. Santi Cazorla stepped up his performances at the right time when Ozil was out injured.
Mesut Ozil has returned back from injury in fine form and has been decisive with goals and assists. There have been injuries to key players regularly, as Ramsey, Wilshere, Chamberlain and Arteta have been marred with injuries this season. Walcott has made a full recovery and has begun to feature in matches, which has been good news.
Arsenal have a quick style of play where they take the fewest possible touches to maintain a brisk passing movement and get the best out of their agile and attack minded players in the team. Led by Santi Cazorla, Arsenal are a terror in the opposition third as they can really take you for a ride with their one touch passing and flair.
In Francis Coquelin, Arsenal have found a new hero who has risen to the occasion of leading the team’s defensive midfield with panache, though one would say Arsenal seriously need a world class defensive midfielder to make their team competent with the title challengers. Anyway, Coquelin has been vocal in his style and has shown remarkable consistency to get a regular starting berth under Wenger. Overall, Arsenal’s midfield has been hard done by fitness issues and lack of consistency in the initial period, but a high rating of 8/10 is what the Gunners deserve for being placed third on the table so far.
FORWARDS: 7/10
Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud have been the forwards primarily with Alexis Sanchez being the main goalscorer from a rather midfield position than that of a forward’s. Welbeck has had to deputize in the absence of Giroud and has been average in terms of consistency. He has been a good work horse but has only scored 4 this season and has been pushed into a wider role as well. He has gelled well with the Arsenal midfield but he is not an out and out goalscorer.
Olivier Giroud missed the bulk of the season’s start and made his comeback after autumn and has been in good goal scoring form. He has found his feet in the Premier League with his good finishing and powerful presence up front. Arsenal have been in great form ever since Giroud has been back.