PITA’s Arsenal Player of the Month – February 2023

The 2022/23 campaign has been one of remarkable stability for Arsenal, but February 2023 was anything but.

It was a topsy-turvy period for Mikel Arteta’s men, but they’ve entered March in the clear after picking up huge back-to-back victories to round off the month.

February began with the Gunners losing twice and drawing once, with their second defeat – at home to Man City – believed by many to be the starting point of the club’s demise this term. But such projections are yet to prove true.

The conclusion of a month can only mean one thing here at PITA: it’s Player of the Month time! There were five games in February, meaning three starts were enough to qualify.

PITA’s Arsenal Player of the Month – February 2023

So, let’s find out who’s our POTM for February 2023.

3. Oleksandr Zinchenko (Average rating – 6.6)

https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1629530549768290307

January’s POTM makes the podium again but he will relinquish his crown. Zinchenko has been a model of consistency since returning to the fold just before the World Cup, but the Ukrainian wasn’t at his best to begin February.

However, his strike at Villa Park which opened his Arsenal account was timely and it got the Gunners back in the game before their grandstand finish.

Arteta’s specialist full-back was excellent in the second half at Villa and steady against Leicester to round off the month which brought his average rating up to 6.6.

2. William Saliba (Average rating – 6.7)

Gabriel has rightly garnered much acclaim for his recent work, but his error-laden performance against City means he doesn’t make February’s podium. The Brazilian was otherwise superb.

Saliba has generated plenty of hype alongside the left-footed defender, and he’s found a bit of consistency following a pretty tricky period for the Frenchman. After struggling at Goodison Park, Saliba has performed stoutly in Arsenal’s defence.

He was one of two players that stood out against City, and he was rarely troubled in the wins over Villa and Leicester.

1. Jorginho (Average rating – 7.33)

“Look at us, who’d have thought… NOT ME!”

How many would’ve predicted this in the wake of his shoddy debut off the bench at Goodison Park?

Thomas Partey’s injury gave January arrival Jorginho the chance to impress at the base of midfield, and the experienced Italian has slotted in seamlessly after his forgettable first appearance. We’re seeing the best of the metronomic midfielder, and Arteta’s system is currently doing a good job of masking the player’s flaws.

Thus, Gooners have been treated to the Jorginho that excelled under Roberto Mancini during Italy’s successful Euro 2020 campaign as opposed to the unathletic fraud that was exposed at times in west London.

I can’t believe I’m typing this, but Jorginho is our Player of the Month for February 2023. Anything is possible, kids.