PITA's Arsenal Player of the Month - January 2024

Following December's frenzy, January was a month of serenity and Middle Eastern heat for Arsenal.

The club's warm-weather training camp in Dubai was the ideal distraction/preparation having endured a woeful run of form heading into the Premier League's winter break.

The new year started with many questioning the Gunners' credentials, and while those doubts remain, back-to-back victories have facilitated some optimism in north London ahead of a crucial game against league leaders Liverpool.

January consisted of just three outings after they were beaten in the FA Cup third round by Jurgen Klopp's Reds, so just two starts were required to qualify for our Player of the Month award.

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

PITA's Arsenal Player of the Month - January 2024

3. David Raya (Average rating - 7.0)

Raya's first appearance on the POTM podium arrived after he produced his best performance in Arsenal colours to date in the 5-0 rout of Crystal Palace.

The Spaniard brushed aside an early possession error as he played a key role in his side's third after kick-starting a counter-attack with a slick throw.

There was no clean sheet against Nottingham Forest, with Raya having to make a late save - one he should've made - to preserve all three points.

2. Gabriel Jesus (Average rating - 7.25)

Jesus had no shot of making the podium at the 60th-minute mark on Tuesday night. The Brazilian, who missed the FA Cup defeat to Liverpool before failing to score in the win over Palace, had just missed a sitter from close range to put Arsenal ahead at the City Ground.

Jesus, though, swiftly atoned and eventually proved to be the Gunners' match-winner. He broke the deadlock with a crafty finish from an acute angle before teeing up Bukayo Saka for the visitors' second.

He continues to frustrate in front of goal, but Jesus remains pivotal to Arsenal's success.

1. Gabriel (Average rating - 7.5)

Another first-time winner!

Yes, William Saliba is really good at football and often looks immensely stylish while shutting out opponents, but Gabriel is having a better season. I'll die on that hill.

Further evidence was supplied in January, with the brutish defender struggling to put a foot wrong. He was decisive in the opposition's box against Palace, setting up Arsenal's win, and was untroubled in the win over Forest. Saliba, on the contrary, didn't cover himself in glory for Taiwo Awoniyi's goal.

His impressive run of performances makes Arteta's decision to omit the Brazilian at the start of the season all the more strange.

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