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Arsenal half-season report: Best and worst player, transfer targets and overall grade
ARSENAL appear to be one of the teams to beat in the race for the Champions League places
Arteta reflects on two years since becoming Arsenal boss
In 118 years, Arsenal had never begun a season so horrifically. Yet, an almost miraculous transformation has seen Mikel Arteta snatch promise from the jaws of enduring disaster at the Emirates Stadium.
Their horrendous beginning to the 2021-22 campaign, which saw them ship nine goals on their way to losing their opening three matches feels like an extremely distant memory.
The Gunners have surged into the race for the Champions League in style; playing a brand of football in-keeping with Arsenal's illustrious history, with young players who never fail to bring the Emirates Stadium to their feet.
A title challenge is certainly too early, yet a long-awaited return to the Champions League is now a realistic possibility, rather than a fanciful aspiration.
And while the Gunners continue to ride the wave of momentum which has seen them sweep Southampton, West Ham United, and Leeds United away in their last three matches, Express Sport considers Arsenal’s half-season report.
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Best player so far – Emile Smith-Rowe
Over the last few months, many players in red and white could have been worthy of this accolade.
However, the young Englishman has been nothing short of fantastic for the North Londoners, whether it is within the starting line-up or as an irresistible impact off the bench.
The 21-year-old has scored in three consecutive matches for the second time since October, having found the net against Manchester United, West Ham, and Leeds.
Whether it has been playing through the middle, or as a left winger, Smith-Rowe rarely fails to impose his classy but industrious, presence on the pitch.
Arteta demands his stars to play with speed, precision, and aggression, and Smith-Rowe is one of the leading lights in his exciting Arsenal team.
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Most disappointing player so far – Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang
The Premier League has been made a better place thanks to Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang, yet it appears his time at Arsenal is set to end under a depressing, dark cloud.
Having allegedly returned late from an authorised trip abroad, Arteta made an example of the striker by removing the captaincy from the Gabonese hitman.
He has been ousted from the squad ever since, missing the Gunners’ last three Premier League victories.
Aubameyang has frequently been linked with a move away from the Emirates, and unless there is a miraculous repair in his relationship with Arteta, the exit door seems a more likely destination than the pitch.
January transfer targets
Amid Aubameyang’s jettisoning and the uncertainty encapsulating the contractual situations of Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette, a new striker appears to be at the top of Arteta’s wish-list.
Fiorentina striker Dusan Vlahovic has repeatedly been linked with a move to Arsenal, yet the Serie A top goal scorer will be an extremely expensive and difficult player to sign.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has also been uttered in the same breath as Arsenal, while Manchester United youngster Mason Greenwood was also surprisingly linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Nketiah and Lacazette’s deals both expire next summer, meaning they are currently on course to leave the club on a free transfer.
Overall grade – B
Arsenal have rediscovered their identity and maintained a cutting edge consistency which could see them qualify for next season’s Champions League.
If they can maintain their form and improve on their previous results against the supposed “Big Six”, then a return to the competition of Europe’s elite will be on the horizon.