“PICK OF THE BUNCH.”
From match-day to match-day there are certain individuals in the Arsenal team whose performance leaves them standing head and shoulders above the rest. The ones whose blood, sweat and tears are shed to ensure the team wins or at least makes a good attempt doing that. This weekly feature is going to make an attempt at picking the best player from each phase of play; DEFENCE, MIDFIELD and ATTACK. A simple, uncluttered review of the top players in each phase, with a shout to notable mentions in each phase, if there are any.
NB: WINGBACKS ARE A PART OF THE MIDFIELD, ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS ARE A PART OF THE ATTACK. K
P.S: Here’s to hoping we do not have any match-days like we did against Liverpool, when there was no player worthy of praise. J
DEFENCE
NACHO MONREAL (B+)

So Nacho
Nacho, Nacho, Nacho! The Spaniard really has come into his own. His reading of the game and ability to intercept the ball is immaculate. He has had a good season even when our defence was leaky and he capped it off with a much needed goal against Brighton. He is leaving the other defenders looking very bad his top notch performances thus far this season.
NOTABLE MENTIONS- EVERY OTHER DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Petr Cech has looked calm in goal since the Liverpool annihilation and has looked much more composed when collecting aerial balls. Mustafi and Holding deserve plaudits for playing multiple games in a short period of time, especially the German who has played 3 in a week, without committing any ‘serious’ errors.
MIDFIELD
BELLERIN & KOLASINAC (B+)

Star Wingbacks
The tandem are slowly rounding up to top form and the International break could not have come at a more unfortunate time. Kolasinac who is cult hero already in his short career continued his rich, no nonsense vein of form down the left flank as all stood at bay to allow the Beast of North London run rampage. Hector is slowly but surely getting back to his form of two seasons ago when you would find it difficult to point out a better full back in the country. He is timing his runs forward better and not leaving gaping holes at the back always. Long may it continue.
ATTACK
ALEXIS SANCHEZ (B+)

Back close to his best
We have about 8 months more to see the terrier of Chile terrorize opposing defenders in our colours, as I doubt he will put pen to paper on a new deal but stranger things have happened. He has shown flashes of his brilliant form which deserted him at the end of last season and dazzled the fans yesterday especially when he ended a beautiful flowing move with a tantalizing back heel pass to Alex Iwobi. His unnecessary showboating sometimes leaves fans angry at him and rightly so, but when he puts his head down and goes to work, there isn’t a harder working player in the league. His combination play with Lacazette looks to become a thing of beauty when they finally get it locked down, and that shows hope for the Gunners. A sustained title push along with that budding relationship could show him the club is on the right track, one can only hope.

Iwobi top finish
NOTABLE MENTION- ALEX IWOBI- The Nigerian on his country’s Independence Day shone in the Ozil role and for the second match day in a row another player has staked a very good claim for the German’s position. His goal capped off what was an industrious performance but the Nigerian should look to add more end product to what is a huge amount of talent.
FEEL FREE TO LEAVE COMMENTS AND OPINIONS ON WHOM YOU BELIEVE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SELECTED, IN WHICH PHASE, AND WHY. TA!
I’m a 20 year old from Ghana in West Africa. I strongly believe I fell in love with The Arsenal in 2000 after watching that heartbreaking loss in Liverpool, thanks to the now pestiferous pundit Michael Owen. Or maybe, I love The Arsenal because Gunner rhymes with the name of my country. Shrug. I am an avid supporter of Monsieur Wenger and still see him as a visionary. Also, I believe the result must not always trump the means and glory days on the European stage are just a few steps away. Thanks to all who take time out to visit and read.
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