'%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)
Arsenal started the 2021-22 Premier League season in poor fashion, losing their first three games without scoring a goal. To add to their woes, the senior strike pairing of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tested positive for COVID-19, missing their third league game.
However, the Gunners have put in strong and determined performances in phases since then. They have climbed up from 20th in the table up to sixth place, two points behind Manchester United in fourth, with a game in hand.
Arsenal's youngsters have been the key behind this positive turn in form. Manager Mikel Arteta has received high praise for creating unity in the squad and playing a part in restoring the long-lost culture at the club. Meanwhile, the senior Gunners in the squad are yet to step up to the task. They have held the club back in key moments this season and Arteta will need to iron out these issues if he wants to keep their Champions League hopes alive.
Some of the seniors have suffered a tremendous loss of form, others have had disciplinary issues plague them, while the general consensus is that the senior group lacks direction.
Let's take a look at the five Arsenal players who have been underperforming this season.
#5 Rob Holding
Rob Holding is a classic Arsene Wenger signing. Purchased for a mere £2m from Bolton Wanderers in 2016, Holding made the jump from obscurity in the lower leagues to the Premier League in great style.
Such was his impact in his first couple of seasons on Arsenal's first team that Wenger once famously said this about the defender:
"Unfortunately nobody speaks about the performance of Rob Holding! You should be happy- he's English, he's 20-years-old, but I'm sorry he did not cost £55 million so he cannot be good!"
The French manager retired a season and a half after signing Holding - something that seems to have stunted the defender's career trajectory.
Rob Holding did not get much game time under caretaker manager Freddie Ljungberg or his successor Unai Emery. From once being one of the most highly-rated defenders at Arsenal to being marginalized as a back-up centre-back, his career seems to be on a steep decline.
He has made 12 appearances for the Gunners this season and will hope for a change in fortunes with time.
#4 Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka arrived at Arsenal in 2016 for a £35 million fee with the promise of securing the Gunners' midfield for the foreseeable future. The thing with the Swiss enforcer is that he did that, but has also been a liability at crucial moments.
Known for his hard-tackling, long-range passing ability and explosive shots from distance, Xhaka seemed like the ideal player to add steel to Arsenal's midfield. However, controversy, lack of on-field discipline and severe criticism have derailed his Arsenal career in a way.
He has already been sent off on three occasions this season. Two of those red cards came in situations where the team desperately needed him on the pitch. Those came against Manchester City in the Premier League and Liverpool in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final. Sadly, they happened within two weeks of one another.
There is no doubt among club staff, players and even fans about Granit Xhaka's commitment and professionalism. However, it's about time he learns how to limit himself. As captain of the youngest squad in the Premier League this season, it is his duty not to be a loose cannon and be an example.
#3 Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey's arrival at Arsenal seemed like a scene straight out of a thriller movie. The Gunners activated the Ghanaian's £45 million release clause in October 2020 and brought him to the club from Atletico Madrid.
While he has performed to the best of his abilities, there is a feeling around London Colney that Partey has not quite settled in yet. It could be the lack of experience around him as compared to his Atleti days, where he was protected by players like Diego Godin, Koke, Gabi and manager Diego Simeone. Another reason could be the topsy-turvy circumstances due to COVID-19 around the time of his move to North London.
Manager Mikel Arteta has publicly called on the midfielder to take charge of Arsenal's young midfield and be their leader this season. Thomas Partey has responded well to this so far, but AFCON, injuries and suspensions have been stumbling blocks.
The Ghanaian will return to action for the Gunners' clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 11th February following a one-game suspension.
#2 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang virtually carried Arsenal to their 14th FA Cup triumph in 2020, the mood at the club could not have been brighter. Pictures of him and Mikel Arteta with their arms around each other holding the trophy, did the rounds on social media. It sent Arsenal fans worldwide in a frenzy, leading them to believe a 'match made in heaven' was unfolding in front of their eyes.
Fast forward two years and the pair have not appeared together in public for over two months now. Arteta has stripped Aubameyang of the club's captaincy and has frozen him out of first team activities until further notice. The action came following a disciplinary breach by the Gabon international, something Arteta could not tolerate coming from the captain of Arsenal Football Club.
To add to that, his performances when he played were far from convincing. He missed sitter after sitter in every game he played, the worst one being against Newcastle United at the Emirates. He fired wide of the mark from about four yards out - a goal any player at that level would be expected to score no matter what.
Aubameyang has also been excluded from the list of players earmarked to travel to Dubai, where Arsenal have organized a mid-season camp to regroup and rebuild.
#1 Nicolas Pepe
Nicolas Pepe arrived at Arsenal in 2019 from Lille as the club's record signing, valued at £72 million. Saying that he has failed to match up to the expectations since his move would be an understatement.
Pepe was Arsenal's top goal contributor last season, with 16 goals and five assists in 47 appearances across competitions. He was a guaranteed starter and benched the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli on a weekly basis. From contributing a goal in every other game to being a benchwarmer this season, the Ivorian has seen a slump like no other.
Nicolas Pepe has scored two goals this season and provided five assists across competitions. All of those have come in comfortable Carabao Cup wins against lower division sides, with just one assist in nine Premier League games being his only other contribution. His ability to perform in big games has dipped drastically and is something Arsenal will look to soon rectify.
Things are looking good for Pepe at international level, though. He has scored two goals and set up another as Ivory Coast march on in AFCON. His side will take on Egypt in the round of 16 tonight.
