Top three most underrated Arsenal players

Arsenal’s title challenge this season has been truly remarkable to witness. The club, with seemingly limited resources, has galvanised to challenge at the highest level, contesting with the sides who have spent copious amounts of money over previous seasons.

On top of the summer acquisition of Mesut Ozil, the club’s prospects have improved drastically thanks to the improved performances of those once considered as fringe players. The likes of Aaron Ramsey, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker have all stepped up in the last 12 months or so, giving the Gunners a genuine shot at Premier League success.

Whilst these players have been recognised for their quality, there are a select number at the club who continue to perform week-in week-out, yet fail to receive the praise they genuinely deserve.

3. Olivier Giroud

A controversial choice perhaps, but, outside of Arsenal’s support, Olivier Giroud is a dangerously underrated player. While far from the Gunner’s standout performer, he is absolutely integral in Wenger’s 4-2-3-1 system.

It would be unfair to measure his contribution simply by the number of goals he has scored. This season he has found the back of the net 12 times – an impressive total despite what some may say – and he is currently joint sixth in the overall rankings, ahead of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Romelu Lukaku.

Instead he should be judged on his creative contribution and his pure presence upfront. He fits Arsenal’s playing style perfectly, offering an important level of support at the focal point of the team’s attack – allowing the Gunner’s array of world class midfielders to dictate the course of the match.

His link-up play is sublime and we have seen him involved in a number of fantastic passing moves throughout the current campaign. The Frenchman has fashioned 28 chances this term, assisting seven goals in total.

2. Kieran Gibbs

Kieran Gibbs is an important player for the Gunners. He is a fantastic talent and, at just 24 years of age, he has plenty of time to continue improving.

Despite injury troubles this campaign, he has shown his worth to Wenger’s title contending side. Spaniard Nacho Monreal has proved to be the weak link in Gibbs’ absence and this has revealed just how dependable the latter really is.

Before suffering an injury against Bayern Munich, Gibbs proved a dominant force and, similarly in Arsenal’s 5-1 defeat to Liverpool, he came on in the second half to sure-up the back four. Even at the highest level he has looked assured this season.

He is a far superior left-back to his Spanish team mate and during the Gunners’ title bid he has been handed the opportunity to show this. On average he has weighed in with seven defensive actions per match, whilst registering a Squawka Performance Score of 332 points.

1. Tomas Rosicky

He has slipped under the radar for almost his entire career at the Emirates and only now is he starting to receive the praise he deserves. In a squad full to the brim with midfield talent, his contribution can often go unnoticed.

This season he has impressed with his fantastic work rate and his ability to make things happen from midfield. He is not called ‘Little Mozart’ for nothing – he is technically outstanding. So far this season, the 33-year-old has been in and out of the Arsenal team, playing in just three full matches, but his ability has been utilised in most of the club’s big games.

His link up play is truly excellent. In his 18 appearances the 33-year-old has created 19 chances for his team mates and netted on one occasion himself – this strike was recently voted as February goal of the month.

A perfect mix of attributes make Rosicky an exceptional midfield player. He remains one of the longest serving players at the club and, still, he is one of Wenger’s most dependable first-team options.