Arsenal Player of the Month - February 2025

February 2025 is a month Arsenal won't look back on with too much fondness.

The jubilation of thumping Manchester City 5-1 was quickly tamed by a borderline pathetic display at St. James' Park which saw the club limp out of the Carabao Cup. Then there were more injuries, that Mikel Merino brace, and a couple of scoreless outings.

At least it was only 28 days.

In a month which saw the club lose further ground to Liverpool in the Premier League title race having functioned for much of it without four frontline attackers, there were several performers who stepped up. Unfortunately, we weren't able to produce player ratings for the 1-0 home defeat to West Ham, so our February 2025 Player of the Month award will be based on the ratings handed out for the other four games.

Let's see who's come out on top this time!

3. Gabriel (Average rating - 6.875)

Gabriel has been a model of consistency this season, but this is remarkably his first podium finish since he shared the award in September 2024 following a productive month in front of goal.

There were no goals for the centre-half in February, but the Brazilian played a key role in ensuring Arsenal's defensive stability remained in tact amid their final third woes. It was his partner, William Saliba, who endured the most torrid of nights on Tyneside, with Gabriel producing serene but dominant displays in the victory at Leicester and stalemate with Nottingham Forest.

Once slandered for his lapses of concentration, Gabriel has developed into the most reliable of defenders. A return to a couple of scoresheets wouldn't go amiss, mind!

2. Myles Lewis-Skelly (Average rating - 7.0)

The Hale End graduate showed glimpses at the end of 2024, but Lewis-Skelly has established himself as a star in Arteta's set-up over the past couple of months.

There was that red card against the Hammers, but his rating off the bench wouldn't have counted had we covered the game given that starts only count towards the monthly average.

The teenager's month started with a goal in the 5-1 mauling of the Cityzens and a tedious debate over his celebration which brought out the very worst of modern football discourse.

Lewis-Skelly was one of very few who didn't let themselves down at Newcastle, and he made a crucial defensive intervention at 0-0 against Leicester before Merino saved the day off the bench.

His heavy utilisation despite the abundance of full-backs at the manager's disposal is a testament to the impact he's had in the senior side.

1. Ethan Nwaneri (Average rating - 7.75)

Arsenal's dire injury situation in attack has thrust Hale End's crown jewel into a role of great significance.

Nwaneri started February by rounding off the Gunners' beatdown of City with what may well develop into a trademark strike from distance. Arteta was enjoying having Nwaneri as a finisher off the bench; a talent capable of turning the tide or putting contests beyond the opposition.

However, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli's injuries have forced the 17-year-old into a starting role down the right. He's an attacking midfielder by trade blessed with the requisite skillset to perform a Saka-lite function.

His very best manifested in the 2-0 win at Leicester, and he's constantly been the brightest spark in otherwise lifeless attacking displays.

The Gunners are currently a tough watch, but Nwaneri at least fills supporters with hope that something could potentially happen.

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