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Arsenal’s 2022/23 midseason awards: Best player, best performance & more
The 2022 World Cup is in full swing and Arsenal supporters have still got some time until they see their side in competitive action once more.
While friendlies against Lyon, AC Milan and Juventus await, the Gunners mark their return to the Premier League on Boxing Day as an under-pressure David Moyes takes his West Ham side to the Emirates.
Arsenal were the talk of the town during the first period of the season as they embarked on a majestic start to the 2022/23 campaign. Mikel Arteta’s side continued to defy critics by the week, and their brilliance up until November has many dreaming of a title challenge.
Here at PITA, we opted to celebrate Arsenal’s tremendous start to the season by handing out some midseason awards. The all-around excellence of the Gunners thus far meant picking our winners was no easy task, but we each got the job done.
Arsenal’s 2022/23 midseason awards
So, folks. Sit back, sip a glass of champagne and drink in our midseason award winners.
James Cormack
Best Player: Gabriel Jesus – Sure, he might’ve endured a lengthy goal drought before the break, but there’s simply no way Arsenal would be in the current position they’re in without Jesus, who has transformed the Gunners in attack.
Best Performance: Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal – There have been many impressive performances already this season, but the manner in which Arsenal dominated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge took almost everybody by surprise. This felt like the game where the masses realised just how good Mikel Arteta’s side is.
Biggest Suprise: Granit Xhaka’s evolution – I wrote after the Leicester win back in August about whether Xhaka’s run of form would persuade the Gunners not to buy another midfielder in the summer and thus hinder them in the long run. Oh, how wrong I was!
Biggest Disappointment: Eddie Nketiah – Jesus’ arrival meant Nketiah’s minutes were always going to be limited this season, but he has had chances to impress. However, he’s scored just three times and is failing to live up to his hefty contract and the number on the back of his shirt.
Overall Grade: A+ – Top of the league by five points and safely into the Europa League round of 16; it’s been a perfect start to the season. Even the early Carabao Cup exit is probably a blessing in disguise.
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