4 Arsenal players who have underperformed in 2024/25 so far

We've not even had the chance to enjoy our advent calendars and Arsenal are nine points adrift of the Premier League leaders.

Something's gone wrong.

This was meant to be the season in which Mikel Arteta's project peaked by achieving its ultimate goal of Premier League glory. Following back-to-back second places and a summer of squad streamlining, the Gunners were seemingly well placed to pounce on a Manchester City team that surely wouldn't go five on the bounce.

But 2024/25 has so far been a campaign of toil for Arteta's side. Sure, there have been several mitigating factors in their struggles; including harsh red cards, an untimely injury, and a tough opening schedule, but other issues have been at play, too.

Arteta struggled to adjust to the absence of Martin Odegaard, while several players expected to make leaps - or at least retain their previous level - have underperformed. Fortunately, there's still plenty of juice in the season yet, and these four underperformers have ample time to ignite their campaigns.

1. Declan Rice

Rice will not only be judged through the prism of his £105m price tag, but also an excellent debut season during which he more than lived up to West Ham's lofty valuation.

The midfielder had a transformative effect on Arsenal's midfield last season, offering promise and productivity in an advanced left-sided #8 function but saving his best work for the base of midfield.

It's been an odd season for Rice thus far, with a pedantic dismissal against Brighton on Matchday 3 seeing him miss the North London Derby. He seems to have not only suffered from playing a lot of football, but the weird circumstances Arsenal have found themselves in this season. As a result, Rice is averaging fewer touches, completing fewer passes, and recording fewer tackles and interceptions in the Premier League per 90 minutes this term compared to last.

He's just not been dominant, seemingly suffering from fatigue, and we can only hope his time off over the November break will invigorate his campaign.

2. Gabriel Jesus

Excitement started to build around Jesus entering the season after a promising summer where he impressed in pre-season outings. Mikel Arteta spoke of a 'different energy' consuming the Brazilian, but Jesus has been a mere bit-part player thus far.

His 2023/24 campaign was ultimately a disappointment due to a couple of niggling injuries and Kai Havertz's emergence as Arsenal's leading man up top, but we've so far seen few signs of Jesus matching his poultry eight-goal haul from last season this term.

The Brazilian has generally stayed injury-free, which is positive, but he's been limited to cameo appearances thus far. His only strike arrived in the Carabao Cup against Bolton. As it stands, Jesus is not performing like a game-changer off the bench, especially if the Gunners require a goal.

3. Leandro Trossard

Trossard wouldn't have been anywhere near list this just a month ago, but the Belgian was woeful between the October and November breaks.

The versatile forward initially proved to be a handy tactical solution after Odegaard's injury as Arteta utilised him in a free-roaming forward position, but Trossard, in recent weeks, has been a profligate nuisance.

He hasn't registered a goal contribution since 1 October and has often stifled Arsenal in the final third via poor decision-making and infuriating unforced errors. His two misses late on against Chelsea, even if neither would've counted, depicted a player out of form and bereft of his clutch gene.

4. Gabriel Martinelli

Maybe the Martinelli we've seen over the past 18 months is the norm and 2022/23 was a mere flash in the pan. Prove me wrong, Gabi!

For me, the winger is far too reliant on other pieces working in harmony for him to thrive. If he's got an overlapping left-back and he underperforms; well, he's missing Granit Xhaka. If he's got that midfield connection infield and he can't beat his man one-on-one; well, HE NEEDS AN OVERLAPPING LEFT-BACK.

The Brazilian consistently struggles against full-backs who can match him physically. While I admire his tenacity, work ethic, and defensive tenacity, he's a player Arsenal can upgrade on next year. Teams have made a concerted effort to shun Bukayo Saka, and Martinelli - admittedly in harmony with a chopping-and-changing left flank - have failed to provide the Gunners with attacking balance.

I can only hope his strike against Chelsea combined with Mikel Merino's emergence allows us to see the 2022/23 Martinelli again as we veer towards the festive period.

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