We are already a quarter of the way through the Premier League season and it is once again shaping up to be an entertaining year. Early stand out performers have included Alexandre Lacazette and Eden Hazard. However, there have been some notable names that have so far been underwhelming
With the season now well underway, we have had enough time to assess the early performances of the league's best players. Here, we will look at the five stars who have not performed to the level that we have come to expect from them. Let's get straight into it.
#5 Henrikh Mkhitaryan
![The attacking midfielder has shown just glimpses of his best form this season](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/c0ee8-15402426526051-800.jpg 1920w)
After an incredibly promising start to life at Arsenal, it seemed as though Henrikh Mkhitaryan would kick on and become a key man for his new club this season. His form, however, has been mixed so far, and the Armenian has been dropped to the bench for key games under new manager Unai Emery.
So far this season, the former Manchester United man has only featured five times in the league, and the likes of Alex Iwobi have seemingly moved ahead of him in the pecking order. The 29-year-old will be hoping to turn his form around over the winter period, and Mkhitaryan will also be keen to prove to his former club that they made a mistake in trading him for Alexis Sanchez.
#4 Jack Wilshere
![West Ham beat a number of teams to sign the midfielder](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/b9a83-15401621359574-800.jpg 1920w)
In the past summer, Jack Wilshere was finally deemed as surplus to requirements at Arsenal after nearly two decades at the club. His move to West Ham was applauded by many experts, but after a string of poor performances, the 26-year-old is now sidelined by injury.
The midfielder reportedly suffered a further injury in training, and now West Ham face the prospect of paying Wilshere a huge amount of money for sitting on the sidelines.
#3 Alvaro Morata
![Chelsea and Spain striker Alvaro Morata continues to be a ghost of his former self](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/2276a-15401624690073-800.jpg 1920w)
Morata showed both his ability during spells with Real Madrid and Juventus. The striker endured a difficult first season in England, but many expected the Spaniard to settle and perform well under the new manager. Instead, Morata continues to face an intense battle with Olivier Giroud for a starting berth, and he has scored just twice in eight appearances.
The striker looks like he has lost much of his confidence, and he continues to be linked with a move away from the club. The 25-year-old continues to get into good attacking positions but his finishing is consistently lacking. The Spaniard may only have until the end of the season to turn his form around, as Chelsea's financial strengths mean they will likely look to replace the misfiring forward.
#2 Mo Salah
![The Egyptian was the Premier League's best player last season](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/18f0e-15401613278818-800.jpg 1920w)
Salah continues to perform at a higher level than most Premier League players, but his performances are drastically down compared to last season. The Egyptian has hit a respectable four goals in 9 games, but his overall play is sluggish, and Daniel Sturridge is currently threatening his place in the team.
The 26-year-old seems to have not fully overcome the injury that derailed his World Cup performances, and it has forced other Liverpool players to step up. Salah did, however, manage to score this weekend, and with the international break now behind him, the winger has the perfect opportunity to find his best form again over the next few weeks.
#1 Alexis Sanchez
![Alexis Sanchez is no longer a guaranteed starter for Manchester United](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2018/10/fdd4a-15401610608278-800.jpg 1920w)
The Chilean international has failed to match his Arsenal form for his new club, and the transition period can no longer be used as an excuse. Now nearly a year into his Manchester United career, the winger looks distant from his old self, and his form only seems to be getting worse.
Sanchez is the highest paid player in the league, and if his performances continue to disappoint, he may find himself being sold at the end of the season. Sanchez has contributed just one goal in seven appearances this season, and he now faces a challenge to make Jose Mourinho's first team.