By DJ's Locker Room
December 29 2021

As 2021 comes to a close and we have played exactly half our premiership programme, it seems a good time to review how it has gone. Overall, the season has been good – way better than any of us expected before the season began (let alone after our first 3 premiership games).

When Wenger left in May 2018, we all said it would take years to rebuild the team. Unai Emery inherited a mess with overpaid, under-performing players dominating the squad. He did his best to deal with the problems but appeared to have no strategy or solutions. We had made little or no progress when Arteta took over two years ago.

Contrary to the various insults on this and other Arsenal fans’ websites, Arteta is not a “clown” or a dumbf**k”. He has made enormous progress. He has got rid of 90% of the deadwood, overpaid under-performers and the trouble-makers. The team now has a youthful profile (the youngest in the premiership) and a distinct (if not always consistent) playing style and philosophy. The fans are excited again and the squad seems happier and more united than for years.

Nobody was enthusiastic about the summer transfer window – “the worst in premier league history” claimed one person! I was probably the most generous about it at the time, but we all greatly under-estimated its success in turning round the fortunes of the team.

My review may be too generous and optimistic – and of course I accept there remains much to be done to challenge again to be the best team in England or Europe. Young teams and young players will always have inconsistencies and mistakes. And January might see us have a serious blip. But the huge progress seems undeniable.

Arteta and Edu 7.5
They have transformed the team. Halfway through the season we have 35 points. If we continue that form, we would have 70 points at the end of the season – enough last season to get 3rd place. If you take away the first 3 games of the premiership season, our record of winning 11 drawing 2 and losing 3 games would only be bettered by Manchester City. Credit where it's due. The new signings and the focus on young players has largely paid off. There is a feel-good sense about the whole club again.

Ramsdale 9
No player has had a bigger impact than Ramsdale. Decried by almost everyone, he has proved to be the best summer Premiership signing. Not just his performances, saves and distribution, but his leadership and passion have been outstanding and lifted the whole side and the fans.

Saka 8.5
Our best outfield player and in many ways the symbol of the new team and its style.

Smith-Rowe 8
Super-sub and the team’s leading goal-scorer – who saw that coming ?

Gabriel 7.5
Beginning to look like the commanding centre back we have missed since Koscielny

Tomiyasu 7.5
A revelation defensively and going forward – nailed down first choice

Odegaard 7
Another player finally beginning to play to his potential

Martinelli 7
Has the world at his feet – looks undroppable now

Tierney 6.5
After an indifferent start to the season, looks back to his best again

Lacazette 6.5
Fits well into the newly established system but his form has been up and down

Xhaka 6.5
An enigma: key part of the midfield engine but a liability & accident waiting to happen

Partey 6
Still to justify the hype & expectation but if he remains injury-free, may start to deliver

White 6
The famous “3” rating is unfair but still has much improvement to make

Tavares 6
Tremendous athlete and crosser – needs to improve his defensive duties

Lokonga 6
Solid and reliable when called upon – may well be the next player to step up a level

Pepe 5.5
Not suited to this team. Undeniably brilliant at times but unreliable

Leno 5.5
Good enough as our second choice but will move on in 2022

Holding 5.5
Solid but will never be a first choice centre back for us

Aubameyang 5
Time to move on – a shadow of his former self, doesn’t fit the team’s style

Elneny 5
Nice guy but not good enough

Cedric 4.5
Not good enough

I am sure we will strengthen the squad over the next few weeks with new signings or loans but I don’t think we will see any more new breakthrough youngsters this season. But we do have some very good youngsters out on loan or in the under-23s. Very possible that 3 or 4 of those below could break into the first team squad next season.

Keeper: Hein & Okonkwo
Central defence: Saliba, Ballard & Rekik
Wing backs: Norton-Cuffy & Lopez
Midfield: Azeez, Patino, Flores & Salah-Eddine
Attack: Balogun, Biereth, Taylor-Hart & Hutchinson

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