Arsenal have experienced contrasting fortunes during the early part of the season. The Gunners were rock bottom of the Premier League table in August after losing their opening three games. But they have remained unbeaten since then and are now the form team in the top-flight.
Mikel Arteta appeared to be clinging to his job during of the first international break of the campaign.
But the Arsenal manager has turned things around and his team have won eight of their last 10 games in all competitions.
And Express Sport will now take a look at the team’s best and worst player as well as January transfer targets, before giving a final grade of the Gunners’ season so far.
Best player so far – Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale has almost single-handedly transformed the Arsenal side since arriving at the Emirates Stadium from Sheffield United at the end of August.
The goalkeeper has played 11 times for the Gunners and has kept an incredible seven clean sheets.
Against Leicester City last month, the Englishman pulled off a string of magnificent saves and received plaudits from all angles as he somehow stopped James Maddison’s free-kick in the dying seconds of the first half, before denying Jonny Evans with the follow-up.
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Arsenal have looked solid at the back with Ramsdale between the posts and, if he can continue his fine form, he will provide the north Londoners with a safe pair of hands this season.
Ramsdale should also thank his backline for his clean sheets. Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu have both been in imperious form since joining the club this summer.
Meanwhile, Emile Smith Rowe has impressed at the other end of the pitch and has notched four goals in his last six Premier League outings.
Most disappointing player so far – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Arsenal looked barren in front of goal during their first three games of the season, although Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang only started one of those games.
The striker has since scored four Premier League goals but is still struggling to hits the heights he managed two years ago.
It’s indicative of Arsenal’s upturn in fortunes that a player who has found the back of the net in half his top-flight starts is considered as his side’s most disappointing player of the season.
But the Gabon international hasn’t scored against any of the top eight sides this season and Arteta will be relying on his talisman to be the matchwinner on the big occasions when they return to action later this month.
January transfer targets
Arsenal have been linked with a whole host of players in recent weeks and could do with some reinforcements in January.
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are out of contract next summer so Arteta could look to replace the duo with a new striker in the New Year.
The Gunners have been tipped to sign Dusan Vlahovic in January, but they would face stiff competition from a plethora of other clubs who are also apparently interested in the forward.
The likes of Aaron Ramsey and Mattias Svanberg are also reportedly on Arteta’s radar as the Spaniard looks to add to his ranks.
Overall grade – B
Given their egregious start to the season, Arsenal will be delighted with how their season has developed over the last two months.
The Gunners’ imperious form has lifted them to fifth in the Premier League table and they will now be focusing their attentions on breaking into the Champions League places.
The team have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, where they will face League One Sunderland in December.
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