The Gunners are top of the Premier League after 14 games, so who have been their main men – and where do they still need to improve?
It’s been a record-breaking start to the season for Arsenal.
Mikel Arteta’s side have entered the break for the World Cup sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League table having won 12 of their first 14 games.
It’s the best start to a league season in the club’s history and has fans wondering whether the Gunners could now go on to end their 18-year wait for a Premier League title.
But who has been the stand out player so far? What has been the best performance and where could improvements be made?
Below, GOAL dissects Arsenal’s remarkable season so far…
Getty ImagesBest player
Given the way Arsenal have played so far this season, it’s incredibly difficult to pick just one player.
Gabriel Jesus has been a revelation, even though his goals have dried up, while Ben White has barely put a foot wrong at right-back and Gabriel Martinelli has been electric.
Thomas Partey has been sensational during the past two months and William Saliba continues to produce monstrous performances week after week.
But Granit Xhaka has been truly outstanding and gets the nod for this one.
Xhaka’s redemption story at Arsenal has been the theme of the season and his consistency levels have been unwavering.
He has been transformed under Arteta and is clearly loving the more advanced midfield role he is now operating in.
Three goals and three assists in 14 starts is a fine return and he deserves every bit of praise that has come his way so far this season.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesBest performance
The win at Chelsea was superb in many ways.
It may have only been 1-0, but it was a performance of near total domination from Arteta’s men.
They went to the home of one of the big six and controlled the game from start to finish, playing with personality and style.
There have been plenty of other fine displays, including the North London derby success against Spurs and the home win over Liverpool.
But the victory at Stamford Bridge, and the manner of it, showed exactly what this new Arsenal team is about.
Getty Images.Best goal
There are plenty to choose from here.
William Saliba’s superb strike at Bournemouth was a serious contender, as was Thomas Partey’s spectacular effort against Tottenham.
There have also been plenty of excellent team goals, but Partey’s curler against Nottingham Forest just edges this one.
The replay of the goal from behind Partey really demonstrated how good a strike it was.
He whipped it around two defenders and bent it perfectly into the top corner from just outside the box. It was a wonderful finish.
Getty ImagesBest new signing
His goals may have dried up recently, but Gabriel Jesus has still been hugely influential in Arsenal’s success.
They simply wouldn’t be where they are in the Premier League without the summer addition from Manchester City.
Jesus’ role in the win at Chelsea was a prime example of just how vital he is to the team, even if he is not scoring goals.
He should have scored at Stamford Bridge when he sent a header wide in the first half following a sensational Arsenal move.
But he didn’t let his head drop and his relentless work rate and determination to play for his team-mates drove his side on to get the win.
It was his desire that won the ball back off Thiago Silva that led to the corner which Arsenal scored their winning goal from in the second half.
Jesus does need to get back amongst the goals after the World Cup break; that is clear.
But his recent barren run shouldn’t take away from just how impressive he has been so far during his debut season in North London.