Not many expected Arsenal to still be top of the Premier League following the last international break, yet here we are, and the latest Power Rankings reflect just how incredible the Gunners have been.
The north London side head into the 2022 FIFA World Cup break five points clear at the top with Arsenal beating Wolves on the final matchweek of the campaign before the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus jet off to Qatar for the sport’s biggest competition.
Many predicted Arsenal to slip up after the first international break, yet to the shock of many, the Mikel Arteta winning machine continued to power on, with the Gunners’ only setback in the league coming in the form of a 1-1 draw against Southampton.
Whilst Arsenal did crash out of the League Cup at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion, the structure of the competition means that clubs who progressed must play their fourth-round fixture just days after the World Cup final, something many supporters didn’t want to go through.
Indeed, with Arsenal also topping their UEFA Europa League group, things have never looked better for the north London side. And without further ado, here are the Gunners’ latest Power Rankings ahead of the World Cup break.
1. Granit Xhaka
Granit Xhaka topped our first edition of Arsenal’s Power Rankings earlier this season, and once again, the Swiss international comes out as number one, with the midfielder again continuing to impress for the Gunners and to put in a level of quality supporters haven’t seen from the 30-year-old.
Four goals and three assists in all competitions means that Xhaka has already blitzed his goal-contribution record for a single season with the Gunners, and with the midfielder yet to be shown a red card, the £35m 2016 signing from Germany has finally established himself as the hero every Arsenal fan wanted to see.
2. William Saliba
Just like with Xhaka, William Saliba retains his spot in the earlier edition of Arsenal’s Power Rankings for the season, with the 21-year-old defender continuing to defy expectations and to firmly establish himself as not one of the best defenders in the Premier League, but arguably in all of Europe this campaign.
With Saliba now off to Qatar with France for the World Cup, many Arsenal fans will be hopeful that the youngster is handed a start in the XI from Didier Deschamps. And every supporter will be praying that Mikel Arteta can work his magic on getting the centre-back to sign a new contract upon his return to England in December.
3. Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka endured a slow start to the season despite impressing in the stats department for Arsenal. However, the winger has now returned to his best, with the attacker sitting in five goals and six assists in all competitions as the forward looks set for a breakout World Cup with England.
Just like with Saliba, Arsenal fans will be praying that the 21-year-old signs a new long-term contract amid rumours that talks are taking place between the club and Saka. And based on the Gunners’ form this season, staying in north London feels like a no-brainer for a boyhood fan of the team.
4. Gabriel Jesus
Gabriel Jesus’ goals might have dried up in recent weeks, but there’s no denying just how important the Brazilian international is for Arsenal and their attacking system, with the forward impressing against the likes of Chelsea despite not getting on the scoresheet.
Five goals and seven assists in all competitions makes Jesus’ Arsenal’s most productive player in all competitions. And whilst a lack of goals in the past few games might be a concern, the former Manchester City star is still putting in an incredible shift every time he steps onto the pitch for the Gunners.
5. Ben White
Very few expected Ben White to still be playing at right-back come this stage of the season. However, not only is the 25-year-old still flourishing in the position, but the defender has now won a spot to the World Cup in Qatar based on his form.
White has established himself as a right-back who offers everything Arteta wants from the position. And with the natural centre-back now heading to the World Cup with England, the former Brighton star’s stock is only rising alongside his incredible displays for Arsenal every week.
6. Martin Odegaard
If you were to ask an Arsenal fan which player would be their top goalscorer ahead of the World Cup break, few would have tipped Martin Odegaard, who this season has seen his game evolve into a creative midfielder who is finding himself in the right position at the right time.
The 23-year-old’s recent brace against Wolves handed the Gunners the crucial three points to go clear of City in the table. And with Odegaard’s performances away from goal still continuing to captivate supporters, many fans will be buzzing that the club captain will be given time off this month with Norway not heading to the World Cup.
7. Gabriel Martinelli
It might be harsh to include Gabriel Martinelli so low in this Power Rankings, yet it speaks volume of just how good Arsenal have been this season when a 21-year-old Brazilian international heading to the World Cup is placed seventh on this list.
For many Arsenal fans, the Sao Paulo-born attacker has the potential to become one the best in the game, and with Martinelli on course to enjoy a season-high goalscoring year, there’s still plenty to look forward to from the youngster this season after the World Cup.
8. Gabriel Magalhaes
Contract talk has filled the rumour section on Arsenal sites and outlets this season, yet one player who has put pen to paper in recent weeks is Gabriel Magalhaes, who has committed his long-term future to the club after an impressive start to the campaign.
Whilst there have been mistakes, Gabriel’s overall performances and defending has been second-to-none, with the Brazilian’s goals also proving crucial in huge wins against the likes of Fulham and Chelsea, with the defender also forming quite the partnership with Saliba at the back.
9. Thomas Partey
Just like with Martinelli, it might seem harsh to place Thomas Partey this low down given how important the midfielder is to Arsenal’s style of play, with the Ghanian international’s role at the base of the Xhaka and Odegaard pivot crucial to how the north London side operates.
With the former Atletico Madrid star also finally ending his long-shot curse with two wonder goals against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest, the 29-year-old has hit form at the perfect time in his Arsenal career, with the African star’s fitness key to if the Gunners can sustain their Premier League title charge.
10. Oleksandr Zinchenko
Injuries have played a cruel role in Oleksandr Zinchenko’s season, with the defender missing numerous games for Arsenal. However, when the versatile fullback has been fit, the Gunners play with a technical quality that hasn’t been seen in some years, with the Ukrainian international at the heart of it all.
Many rival fans scoffed when Arsenal went big to sign Zinchenko in the summer. However, like many of Arteta’s signings in recent years, the deal has proven to be quite the bargain, with the defender himself also loving life in north London.
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