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Arsenal player ratings so far, Raya shines as 2/10 ace causes Arteta problems

 

Arsenal will welcome the November international break after falling into a poor patch of form.

 

Mikel Arteta hasn’t seen his side win in the Premier League in the previous four fixtures, recording two points from a possible 12.

 

As a result, Arsenal are drifting away from the title race, entering the international break nine points below league leaders Liverpool.

 

The manager has a lot to solve over the break to ensure his Arsenal squad return in better shape, with some individual performances needing to improve.

 

With 10 games of 2024 remaining, here are our player ratings for the 2024/25 campaign so far.

 

Arsenal Mens Squad 2024/25 (back row L-R) Ethan Nwaneri, Jakub Kiwior, Tommy Setford, David Raya, Neto, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Myles Lewis-Skelly

(midd…

David Raya – 9

Raya earned a permanent contract at Arsenal in the summer and hasn’t looked back since.

 

At the start of the season, the Spaniard was making world-class saves on a weekly basis, with Raya’s double penalty save against Atalanta standing out.

 

After a drama-packed first season, things have really settled for the goalkeeper, who has elevated his game to a new level this term.

 

 

William Saliba – 8

After a stellar campaign last season, Saliba is nearing his best once more.

 

The Frenchman has really grown into his role alongside Gabriel and is an ever-reliable presence in Arteta’s squad.

 

No player in the Premier League has made more tackles without being dribbled past than the Arsenal centre-back, who is indispensable to the Gunners.

 

 

Gabriel Magalhaes – 8.5

While Saliba has impressed, his counterpart Gabriel has been marginally better.

 

Gabriel started the campaign in fine-scoring form, also excelling at the back as one of the best-performing central defenders in the Premier League.

 

The Brazilian’s commitment to the project is as strong as anyone else’s in the squad, with the number six being another irreplaceable player to Arteta.

 

Jurrien Timber – 8

It only took several games for Arsenal to realise just what they missed without Timber last season.

 

The Dutchman returned to action after spending the 2023/24 campaign recovering from an ACL injury, a lengthy absence that hasn’t seemed to set the defender back at all.

 

A fine athlete with a high football IQ, Timber has taken Arsenal’s defence to the next level, bringing pace and power on both the left and right side of the back four.

 

Jakub Kiwior – 5.5

Due to Timber’s absence last term, Arteta was forced to call on Kiwior multiple times, something that has happened more sporadically this year.

 

The Poland international has the fundamentals to fill in, however, has been questionable in some instances this season, with the gap between his quality and those around him very evident.

 

Kiwior offers depth to Arteta’s side but very little else in comparison to his competition at fullback but, he’s still a hardworking player for the boss to call upon when necessary.

 

Riccardo Calafiori – 7.5

Calafiori has been a hit since signing for the Gunners in the summer transfer window but has sadly seen his debut campaign tainted by injury.

 

When the Italian is on the pitch, he’s proved to Arteta that he was the missing piece of Arsenal’s back four, being a player possessing great versatility and athleticism.

 

The only criticism would be that more attention needs to be paid to 1v1 defending however, such will come with time as Calafiori is still early into his Premier League career.

 

Riccardo Calafiori celebrates scoring Arsenal’s 1st goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC at Etihad Stadiu…

 

Oleksandr Zinchenko – 6

For the Ukrainian, it’s not been a terrible season but, it’s equally not been an outstanding one.

 

It’s clear that Zinchenko no longer has a key role to play at Arsenal, with his playing time limited and a place among the substitutes becoming his home.

 

Ben White – 6.5

After a superb 2023/24 campaign, White’s form has taken a slight knock over this term.

 

There’s an understanding that White has been playing with an injury, so presumably, that has impacted his performance level.

 

Still, by no means has the right-back been bad or unreliable, he’s simply not at full capacity at this moment in the season.

 

Takehiro Tomiyasu -3

Tomiyasu is enduring a nightmare season as he continues to struggle with injury woes.

 

As a result, the Japan international is no longer considered a reliable figure to call upon when needed, with him making just one six-minute appearance so far this calendar.

 

Myles Lewis-Skelly – 8

A new face on the block is Lewis-Skelly who at 18 years old, looks to have the world at his feet.

 

The dynamic and versatile defender has been utilised numerous times by Arteta in the left-back role, where he’s mostly impressed.

 

Declan Rice – 6

Similar to the assessment of White, Rice is yet to hit the highs of his debut season at the Emirates.

 

Thomas Partey – 6.5

When another defensive midfielder was signed in the summer, it looked almost certain that Partey’s Arsenal career would fizzle out.

 

Instead, the Ghanaian has proven as a useful figure in Arteta’s squad, being utilised both in his favoured number six role and in some instances at right-back.

 

Jorginho – 4

Joringho’s Arsenal career is becoming that of a valued member in the dressing room and at Colney rather than on the pitch.

 

The experienced Italian understands that his role in the squad is sporadic, playing only 369 minutes so far this season.

 

While Jorginho isn’t able to provide a significant impact alongside his teammates in action, there’s no doubt that he’s a source of inspiration behind the scenes.

 

Mikel Merino – 6

Signed in the summer from Real Sociedad, Merino was the capture that many had hoped for to bolster Arsenal’s options in midfield.

 

Unfortunately, Merino’s debut was delayed by a training ground injury, which has ultimately set back his adaptation to English football.

 

As the Spaniard is clearly still getting up to speed in his new surroundings, it’s difficult to judge his game given the limited role he’s played so far.

 

Arsenal dearly missed their captain in his absence, seeing Arteta’s squad starved of creativity in the middle of the pitch.

 

Despite not playing a lot of football, Odegaard scores high due to how clear his importance to the club became when he was not available.

 

Ethan Nwaneri – 9

17-year-old Nwaneri is having a season to remember and a season that could define his career.

 

Nwaneri was promoted to the Arsenal first team by Arteta during the summer and hasn’t looked back since, scoring three times in his eight senior appearances so far.

 

The campaign is looking incredibly bright for the Englishman, who is on a path to greatness after leaving the comforts of Hale End.

 

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Gabriel Martinelli – 6.5

There’s hope that Martinelli’s dip in form is coming to an end as the Brazilian is slowly finding his feet again.

 

Martinelli’s celebration against Chelsea hinted how reliant the winger is on confidence and with Arteta’s trust, the 23-year-old can return to his former level by building some consistency.

 

Leandro Trossard – 5

On the topic of questionable form comes Trossard, whose opinion amongst Arsenal fans has completely changed this season.

 

From the bench, the Belgian is a clinical and no-nonsense figure however, as a starter his approach comes across as very limited.

 

Now that Odegaard is back, Trossard will return to the bench where he will have to rebuild trust at the Emirates.

 

Raheem Sterling – 4

There was excitement when Sterling signed for Arsenal on deadline day, arriving on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

 

While the Englishman is one of the most experienced players in Arteta’s squad at present, he’s offering very little with the early assumption being that the Arsenal manager does not fully trust Sterling.

 

 

Unsurprisingly, Saka is one of the highest-rated players so far given how magnificent he’s been going forward for Arsenal.

 

Already, the winger has 11 goal contributions in 15 apperances this season, telling of how important he is to the Gunners’ title hopes.

 

After learning that Saka was withdrawn from the England squad, Arteta will be hopeful of using the international break to recharge his star player.

 

Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring the 1st Arsenal goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on Octo…

 

Havertz’s first season at Arsenal was the ultimate story of redemption, beginning as a player considered to be a waste of £65m and ending the campaign as a club hero.

 

The German started this term where he left off however, his form has recently dipped which is arguably no fault of his own.

 

Amid Arsenal’s creative struggles, Havertz’s role as a striker has been questioned, although, they’re issues that can be solved by restoring the goals.

 

Gabriel Jesus -2

Arguably the most disappointing player of the season has been Jesus, whose time at Arsenal seems to be running out.

 

The Brazilian hasn’t scored in the Premier League since January and has lost his way at the Emirates following Havertz’s arrival, causing Arteta serious problems in regard to the lack of depth in the front line.

 

Jesus has been accused of not offering Arsenal enough, paving the way to an uneventful exit if things don’t dramatically improve.

 

 

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