#11 - Arsenal Power Rankings update: Xhaka back to the party
Granit Xhaka is back into the top five for the first time in 2023 as Arsenal's left-side clicks back into gear
Welcome back. Apologies for no issue last week, I was struck down with a very nasty illness but am on my way back to full fitness now. Since we last spoke we’ve crashed out of the Europa League, but won a couple more Premier League games. We’ve maintained a healthy lead at the top of the table heading into the international break. Today we focus on the Power Rankings update, but during the break I’ll be writing about more tactical observations in recent games. My last piece looked at Trossard’s influence and effect on others, particularly Martinelli and we’ve continued to see that.
Arsenal Power Rankings
Our last update came back on 04 March, so there’s been quite a lot of change in the rankings since then, but I will focus on the changes following the Sporting and Crystal Palace games below.
Risers: Trossard at centre-forward has really helped that left-side find some fire again. Gabriel Martinelli is on fire, back into the top three and staying there, his goals are putting serious pressure on the top two as well.
Granit Xhaka in 2023 had seen his goal scoring influence dwindle, but he got into two scoring positions against Sporting and Palace and scored. That has seen him fly into the top five for the first time in 2023. It’s vital he’s in this form and stays fit if Arsenal are to go all the way.
Thomas Partey has returned from injury and shown his influence too, moving into the top four. Ben White, whose form shook a bit in February, has been back to his best in March and is creeping back towards the top five. Tomiyasu’s season-ending injury means we will need White fully fit and firing for these final 10 games.
With Gabriel Jesus back fit, but Leandro Trossard towards the top of the rankings and enabling others to excel, how Arteta reintegrates Jesus will be interesting.
Fallers: Oleksandr Zinchenko has had a brilliant 2023 and even moved into the top three a few weeks ago, more so due to others brilliant performances, he has now dropped to 9th. His influence has been less important in recent weeks, with Xhaka getting more involved higher up the pitch.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is now injured and out for the season, he was competing with White for a starting spot, but his lack of availability is now an issue for the club. Whether he remains the first stand-in at right-back next season remains to be seen, but Mikel Arteta will want a more durable rotation option in that position I’m sure.