'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The FIFA 16 demo is officially out and the EA Sports game has already begun trending on all platforms of social media, as fans all around the world get a glimpse of their favourite clubs and players in the newest edition of the franchise. However, the wait for Arsenal fans continues as the North London club is not one of the playable teams in the demo.But we’ve got a list of the top 10 rated Arsenal players on the list to get the fans of the Gunners excited about FIFA 16. While some of the ratings are confirmed, others are predictions based on the players’ performances in the past year.Players to have narrowly missed out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott
#10 Nacho Monreal - 80
Nationality – Spain
FIFA 16 Predicted Rating - 80
FIFA 15 Rating – 76
At the start of the season, Nacho Monreal found himself competing for a spot in a team with Kieran Gibbs. But an injury crisis at the back saw him play in an unfamiliar centre-back position. Not only did the Spaniard excel playing at centre-back, he also cemented his place as first-choice left-back as Koscielny became fit again and took his position in the centre of defence.
Trending
At an average of 4.4 clearances, 3.1 interceptions and 2.3 tackles per game in the Premier League last season, Monreal was part of a solid Arsenal back line from last season.
#9 Francis Coquelin - 80
Nationality – France
FIFA 16 Predicted Rating – 80
FIFA 15 Rating – 70
One of the most underrated players in the Arsenal line-up is Francis Coquelin. The youngster, who was recalled from a loan to Charlton as late as December last year because of an injury crisis in midfield, became a regular starter during the course of the season.
Now, after some terrific performances last season, Le Coq – as he is affectionately known to fans – has to be one of the first names on Arsene Wenger’s teamsheet. The change in his standing in the team shows with the lowly rating he had in FIFA 15 and what is should ideally be in FIFA 16.
While it’s difficult to get a 10 point increase, Coquelin’s consistent performances for Arsenal have definitely deserved it.
#8 Olivier Giroud - 82
Nationality – France
FIFA 16 Rumoured Rating – 82
FIFA 15 Rating – 79
There was a lot of speculation in the summer transfer window about Arsene Wenger signing Karim Benzema from Real Madrid. But as that transfer did not materialize, Giroud is the leading striker for Arsenal.
While a rating of 79 was what Giroud started with in FIFA 15, the rating progressively grew with each update as the French striker continued scoring goals for Arsenal – a total of 14 goals in 27 games in the league. Over-reliance and a lack of numbers up front saw Giroud suffer from fatigue in the latter half of the season.
However, if Arsenal are to push for the title this season and continue to challenge on all fronts, Giroud will need to fire in goals but also need support from the other attackers in the starting line-up.
#7 Aaron Ramsey - 83
Nationality – Wales
FIFA 16 Predicted Rating – 83
FIFA 15 Rating – 83
A number of fans may be unhappy with no increase in Ramsey’s rating for FIFA 16. But it is because, although Ramsey didn’t have a terrible season, he did have an unmemorable one.
You have to go back to the 2013/14 season when the Welsh midfielder had a terrific season – with 10 goals and 8 assists in 21 league games (16 goals in all competitions). This led to an increase in the ratings; an average 2014/15 in which he made 23 starts, scoring and assisting 6 goals each sees him stuck at 83.
2015/16 will be a huge season for Ramsey as he has more creative freedom and a world-class wide man to feed in Alexis Sanchez. But a lack of a prolific goalscorer will reduce the number of goalscoring opportunities for the Arsenal attack considerably.
#6 Per Mertesacker - 83
Nationality – Germany
FIFA 16 Predicted Rating – 83
FIFA 15 Rating – 83
A steady 83 rating for Mertesacker but he could have easily been given an increase of 1 rating point after a good season with Arsenal. Making 35 appearances in the Premier League after a World Cup over the summer and staying injury free, the tall German defender captained his side and marshalled his defence to perfection.
Even though he is slow off the mark and on the turn, his intelligence and experience helps him defend his area. It clearly showed as he made 5.5 clearances on average in the league last season.
In FIFA 16, while Mertesacker’s lack of pace may prove to be stumbling block, but his strength and tackling is definitely worth mentioning.
#5 Laurent Koscielny - 83
Nationality – France
FIFA 16 Predicted Rating – 83
FIFA 15 Rating – 82
An increase of one point for Koscielny at the age of 30 shows the excellent season he had with Arsenal in 2014/15 as the defender enters a crucial period in his career. Alongside his centre-back partner, Per Mertesacker, the Frenchmen took over the club team as its leader in defence.
In the 27 appearances he made for Arsenal in the Premier League, Koscielny made an average of 5.9 clearances and 3.5 tackles, helping the club keep a total of 12 clean sheets throughout the season. If Arsenal are to replicate or improve on their third place finish from last season, it will be the defensive performances of Koscielny that will play a huge role.
#4 Petr Cech - 85
Nationality – Czech Republic
FIFA 16 Rating – 85
FIFA 15 Rating – 85
While there is no doubting the ability and influence of Petr Cech, the fact that there has been no drop in his FIFA 16 rating is surprising. After Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returned to Chelsea after his loan spell, Cech found himself as Chelsea’s No.2 keeper for the 2014/15 season.
Making only six starts in the league, the rating of 85 seems to be more to do with Cech’s reputation and experience over the years than current form. After Jose Mourinho initially claimed that Cech would not be moving to another English club, he was sold to Arsenal in the summer transfer window, and since has a Community Shield victory over his former employers.
#3 Santi Cazorla - 85
Nationality – Spain
FIFA 16 Rating – 85
FIFA 15 Rating – 84
After a mediocre 2013/14 season by his standards, Cazorla redeemed himself in the 2014/15 season by playing deeper in the centre of Arsenal’s midfield – allowing the likes of Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain more freedom to go forward.
Sitting alongside a ball-winning midfielder like Francis Coquelin, Cazorla used his intelligence and creativity to control the flow of attack, spreading the ball to the wings or playing in his team’s centre forward. He also contributed with 7 goals and 11 assists in the Premier League last season – with a pass accuracy of 89%.
It is interesting to see Cazorla’s rating increasing even as he touches the age of 30. But after his performances last season, the bump is thoroughly deserved.
#2 Alexis Sanchez - 86
Nationality – Chile
FIFA 16 Rating – 86
FIFA 15 Rating – 85
One of the biggest signings in the league last season, Alexis Sanchez was Arsenal’s most creative and most talented player in domestic and European games. In the 42 appearances he made for Arsenal in all competitions, Sanchez scored 26 goals – a remarkable return in his debut season that helped Arsenal finish third in the league, which also lead to him winning Arsenal’s Player of the Season.
Alexis also played a role for his country Chile by winning the Copa America over the summer. And the 26-year-old will look towards maintaining his winning run at club-level as well. He plays primarily on the wings but may find himself leading the line for Arsenal in the current season if reports are accurate.
#1 Mesut Ozil - 87
Nationality – Germany
FIFA 16 Rating – 87
FIFA 15 Rating – 86
Ozil signed for Arsenal in the summer before the 2013/14 season from Spanish giants Real Madrid, and was an instant success at the English club. Even though his impact on games dwindled in the second half of the season, 9 assists and 5 goals in 26 appearances in the first season in a physical league like the Premier League can be considered a success.
Though he helped Germany win the World Cup in 2014, the 2014/15 was far less successful for the German midfielder, with injuries causing him to miss games throughout the season and not having much impact in the games he played. He scored only 4 goals and grabbed 5 assists in his 22 Premier League appearances though Arsenal still defended the FA Cup.
It is, therefore, surprising to see a 1-point increase in Ozil’s, as after the previous season, we could have easily seen a decrease in his rating. A fair rating of 86 would be far more appropriate for Ozil in FIFA 16.
