Chelsea defeated Leicester City at the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, securing three successive victories across all competitions and continuing their recent revival under Graham Potter.
After a wretched run of form that left the Blues boasting just two wins across the board from 15 attempts, there was mounting pressure on Potter and his outfit, who had fallen into the middle of the Premier League and faced a miserable end to the first term of the new era under owner Todd Boehly.
And while there is still much work to be done, there is newfound optimism emanating from the west London side, who remain tenth in the division after 26 matches but are now just five points behind Liverpool in fifth.
Ben Chilwell added to his match-winning assist against Leeds United last weekend by volleying the away team into the lead in Leicester, before an exquisite dinked finish from Kai Havertz gave the Blues the lead in the dying embers before the break; Mateo Kovacic sealed the three points in the second half with a thumping finish from £88.5m winter signing Mykhaylo Mudryk’s headed pass.
How did Kai Havertz perform against Leicester?
Havertz has not always been in the limelight at Stamford Bridge since his £71m move from Bayer Leverkusen, despite scoring the match-winning goal in the 20/21 Champions League final, but with a delightful finish against the Foxes to add to his penalty against Borussia Dortmund in mid-week, he now looks like he is enjoying his talismanic role under Potter’s tutelage.
With eight seasonal strikes, the 33-cap German is now Chelsea’s top goalscorer of the term, and his overall performance in the midlands will have been most pleasing for Potter and co.
As per Sofascore, the 23-year-old’s 7.8 match rating was bettered only by Conor Gallagher, who replaced Joao Felix early into the second half, with Havertz’s indeed in the thick of the action with two goals on target and a further two wide of the mark, also having an effort blocked.
An incessant thorn in the side of the home team, the £150k-per-week gem made 55 touches, assuredly completing 89% of his passes from his robust role and created one big chance, also winning four of his 11 ground duels.
And having made three tackles on the afternoon, the forward forged an all-encompassing display that will hardly hamper his chances of remaining as the first-choice striker to lead the line of this lucrative and expansive Chelsea squad.
Hailed for his “beautiful” goal by journalist Nizaar Kinsella, Havertz expertly chipped the ball over the hapless Danny Ward, with Paul Merson even waxing lyrical over the ace’s “Bergkamp-esque” lob live on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday (11/03/2023).
With Chelsea now paving a sturdy foundation to build upon for the remainder of the campaign, casting the cobwebs of the awful run aside, Havertz’s rise to form comes at the perfect time, and should he continue to channel this newfound goal-scoring prowess, the Blues’ chances of completing a remarkable seasonal turnaround are only enhanced.
Such is the sheer amount of world class players to have played for Arsenal in the Premier League – some of which went invincible in the 2003/04 season – there have been a few that have been forced out of the spotlight and consigned to the ‘underrated tag’.
It’s natural for players to go under the radar at a side like Arsenal, however; the club is simply that big. In the successful years of Arsene Wenger, in particular, the Gunners had such superstars as Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp, with the remainder of the squad left flying under the radar. But, if you took a deeper look, you would have noticed that plenty of underrated aces would have done just as much of the heavy lifting.
We’re here to shed light on those underrated players, too, with our list of Arsenal’s most underrated players of the Premier League era.
10) Nacho Monreal
Though Nacho Monreal didn’t play for Arsenal in their most successful period under Wenger, the left-back was a reliable option as the Gunners picked up domestic trophies and consistently finished inside the Champions League places.
For several years, the Spaniard was Mr. Reliable at The Emirates for what was an occasionally struggling Arsenal side.
Indeed, he made over 250 appearances for the club, appearing in multiple finals along the way.
A dependable hand in a relatively poor side.
9) Olivier Giroud
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This one may shock a few, as some will have Olivier Giroud at the opposite side of the underrated spectrum.
But, we believe that the Frenchman deserves to be held in a higher regard at Arsenal after scoring 105 goals for the club, which included a scorpion kick. He then further proved his quality at Chelsea, and for France internationally.
One has to wonder if Giroud would be more highly thought of had he played in a better team.
However, he did win three FA Cups at Arsenal, and that cannot be sniffed at.
8) Kevin Campbell
When you’re the strike partner of Ian Wright, you’re bound to find a place on this list. And that’s the case for Kevin Campbell, who was, of course, never given the same credit as his legendary partner.
Campbell wasn’t exactly shy in front of goal, himself, however, with 52 in 193 appearances to his name for the Gunners.
He actually came through the ranks at the Gunners, but he is perhaps better known for his spell with Everton, where he played between 1999 and 2005.
Still, a top player who scored plenty of goals for the Gunners.
7) Santi Cazorla
We were gutted when Santi Cazorla left Arsenal and was very nearly forced to retire through injury. In North London, the Spanish midfielder was simply magic.
He could do it, and with both feet, too. Yet, despite how much he is loved at the club, we can’t help but think that the rest of the Premier League doesn’t rate him nearly high enough – something that needs to change.
Indeed, he won two FA Cups at Arsenal, and was also a member of the famed Spain side that won two European Championships.
You don’t get to do that if you’re not very good.
6) Lukas Podolski
If a meteor was colliding with earth, we’d trust the left foot of Lukas Podolski to sweetly connect with it on the volley to clear.
That thunderbolt of his was absolutely unstoppable; he remains one of the best strikers of the ball that we’ve ever seen in the Premier League, yet also one of the most underrated players.
He may have only won one FA Cup during his stint with the Gunners, but he remains an iconic figure, both for his personality and his on-field shenanigans.
He’s one of the players that really understood what it meant to play for Arsenal.
5) Edu Gaspar
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Prior to his so-far successful time as technical director at Arsenal, Edu Gaspar was going under the radar as an important player at the club.
The former central midfielder made 127 appearances for the Gunners, and played a role in Arsenal’s 2003/04 invincible squad under Wenger.
It’s easy to forget that he was so good, because of the work that he’s doing now, but he is as decorated a member of the squad as the likes of Thierry Henry.
It’s time to give Edu his flowers.
4) Tomas Rosicky
If Podolski had a thunderbolt in his left foot, then Tomas Rosicky had the same power in his right boot.
The Czech Republic international famously struck an unstoppable effort in the North London Derby against Tottenham Hotspur, but he was also responsible for one of the best Arsenal team goals, which came against Sunderland.
While he only won the FA Cup at Arsenal, it’s easy to see why he remains such an underrated player; his diminutive stature and knack for the pre-assist – the pass before the pass that leads to the goal – he’s very reminiscent of Mesut Ozil.
Still, a fantastic player.
3) Lauren
Whilst the likes of Ashley Cole and Sol Campbell received most of the credit in the Arsenal Invincibles’ back four, it was Lauren who was left incredibly underrated.
His work at right-back played a vital part under Wenger, as the Gunners won two Premier League titles with the Cameroon international at the back.
He was also named in the Premier League Team of the Year for the 2003/04 season, etching out a niche as the best right-back in the league.
Arsenal had him at his peak too, as he only played three more seasons after leaving, two for Portsmouth and one for Spanish side Cordoba.
2) Abou Diaby
If it wasn’t for injuries, then Abou Diaby may well have become one of the most successful midfielders to play under Wenger at Arsenal; he could do it all except stay fit for a prolonged period of time.
Though he has often been billed as a failed replacement for Patrick Vieira, the way Diaby moved with the ball was more elegant and careful, whilst he attempted to dictate games.
He did win the FA Cup in the 2013/14 season but Diaby saw his playing time brutally cut off by injuries. He eventually left Arsenal with 180 appearances to his name, but it could have been double that.
1) Gilberto Silva
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When you’re sitting in midfield next to Vieira, the likelihood is that the spotlight will quickly turn into a shadow, but that didn’t stop Gilberto Silva from becoming a crucial part of the Arsenal Invincibles.
During his time at the North London club, Silva won two FA Cups, and one Premier League title in what was a very successful time in English football.
He remains one of the more underrated players of the entire generation, as he was largely the glue that kept that imposing Gunners midfield together.
But being Vieira’s partner, you can understand why that is.
So, there you have it, our list of Arsenal’s most underrated players of the Premier League era. Do you agree with our list? Or, do you believe that we’ve left some big names out? Let us know in the comments!
Mikel Arteta will be well aware of just how much potential and talent his current squad has. But, looking back on the best years under Wenger, it was those outside of the spotlight who allowed the stars the time to take centre-stage.
Finding players willing to play a role besides the protagonists may be crucial to Arsenal taking the next step in their current progression.
Liverpool winger Darwin Nunez ‘can’t handle’ the step up to a club of the Reds’ size, according to pundit Frank McAvennie.
The Lowdown: Tough start
After arriving at Liverpool in a club-record £85m deal in the summer, it is fair to say Nunez had a difficult start, being sent off for a head-butt on his home debut against Crystal Palace.
The winger has missed 16 big chances in the Premier League so far this season, the highest amount of any player in the top flight, with Rio Ferdinand claiming that his finishing and execution ‘isn’t quite clean yet’.
The Latest: McAvennie reacts
In an interview with Football Insider, former top flight goalscorer McAvennie has now suggested that the 23-year-old may not be cut out for success at Liverpool, saying: “I feel for him because he is a decent player but some clubs are just too big for certain players.
“I am not talking about the club being huge, there is a whole atmosphere around the club, it is for winners. Everything about the club is for winners and some people can’t handle that.
“Liverpool fans demand every game that you give 100 percent. I feel sorry for him because he is missing some chances.”
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The Verdict: Very harsh
While the former Benfica man did not get off to the best of starts for the Reds, he has really started to find his feet in recent weeks, picking up an excellent assist in the Merseyside derby on Monday night, putting his pace to good use.
The Uruguayan is now on ten goals and four assists in 27 games this season, averaging just over one goal contribution every other game, which is a very respectable record for someone in their first season at the club.
Of course, Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that Nunez’s finishing improves, but it is a very good sign that the ‘brilliant’ attacker is getting in the right positions to threaten in the first place, and his recent form indicates he could have a very strong second half of the season.
Arsenal are now monitoring Barcelona forward Ansu Fati ahead of a potential move this summer, according to reports from Spain.
The Lowdown: Xavi’s public statement
The Spaniard’s contract at Camp Nou isn’t set to expire until 2027, but after falling out of favour under Xavi, he has been experiencing a lack of game-time. The youngster has made just seven league starts this season and could therefore be looking to secure an exit at the end of the campaign.
The Blaugrana boss has publicly claimed that the 20-year-old won’t be going anywhere, stating that Fati will develop more over time. However, should that change for any reason, it sounds like the attacker already has potential suitors queueing up to bring him to the Premier League.
The Latest: Arsenal eyeing Fati
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), Arsenal and Tottenham are both ‘keeping an eye’ on Fati and are two of ‘four English clubs’ monitoring his situation.
Bayern Munich have already ‘asked’ about the winger’s availability, but it’s stated that there is ‘no offer yet’ from any of the interested parties.
Fati’s agent Jorge Mendes is ‘ready to move’ his client should the opportunities available to him at Barcelona not increase over the coming months.
The Verdict: One for the future
Fati is still at such a young age, but having previously been described as ‘Messi-esque’ by talent scout Jacek Kulig, he would be a massively promising signing for Arsenal’s future.
The Nike-sponsored attacker already has 34 senior goal contributions for Barcelona and ranks in the 99th percentile for non-penalty expected goals, shots taken and touches in the penalty area, figures which highlight his abundant attacking talents.
Mikel Arteta would also be getting a player with great versatility, with Fati having the ability to operate on both flanks and as a centre-forward. Therefore, should the opportunity arise, this appears to be a no-brainer of a deal for Edu to try and complete.
Aston Villa are in with ‘a chance’ to land midfield transfer target Azzedine Ounahi, according to an update from transfer insider Dean Jones.
The Lowdown: Ounahi linked with Villa move
The 22-year-old became more of a household name during the 2022 World Cup, performing heroically for Morocco and helping them reach the semi-finals.
Ounahi has since been linked with a move to Villa during the January transfer window, as Unai Emery looks to bolster his options in the middle of the park.
It looks as though the youngster could leave French side Angers imminently, with numerous clubs eyeing him up, perhaps most prominently Serie A leaders Napoli.
The Latest: Villans in the mix
Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones claimed that Ounahi could see Villa as the best move in England, but it’s impossible to truly know where the player’s future lies:
“There’s just so much competition for him and it’s hard to tell at the moment whether they (Villa) are going to win the race.
“I mean, they’ve probably got as good a chance as anyone in England; it’s just really a case of whether or not he definitely wants to come to the Premier League.
“At the moment, he certainly seems open to it, but I can’t quite put my finger on whether he’s just keeping his options open or whether he’s genuinely interested in a move like Villa.”
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The Verdict: Superb midfield target
Ounahi could be exactly what Villa are after in their midfield, with results and performances improving under Emery but more quality still required in that area.
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The Moroccan was outstanding at the World Cup, averaging 1.3 tackles per match and being hailed as ‘absolutely incredible’ by Jose Mourinho – a known admirer of Villa’s manager – which highlights his quality and fit for an Emery team.
At 22, he is someone with most of his career ahead of him and would not only bring energy off the ball but quality on it – he ranks in 99th percentile amongst Europe’s top leagues for dribbles by a midfielder, completing 2.54 per 90 minutes.
Ounahi isn’t out of contract at Angers until 2026, so a sizeable bid may be required to prise him away, but he has so much potential that Villa should see his signing as a primary focus. Leeds have been strongly linked, too, but they are threatened by relegation, which could work in NSWE’s favour.
Tottenham Hotspur are now monitoring Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha for a transfer swoop, according to transfer expert Dean Jones.
The Lowdown: Palhinha’s form
Palhinha only joined Fulham in the summer, arriving for a fee of £20m, but he has already impressed considerably for Marco Silva’s side, ranked as their best-performing midfielder in the Premier League, averaging a 7.16 match rating.
Given this fantastic start to life in England, it was perhaps inevitable that the top clubs would come calling, and now two of the so-called ‘big six’ appear to be interested in signing the Portugal international…
The Latest: Conte eyeing Palhinha
According to transfer expert Dean Jones (speaking to Give Me Sport), both Tottenham and Liverpool are casting an eye over the 27-year-old for a potential summer move, with the Reds having him on their radar even before he moved to Fulham.
However, a deal may prove to be difficult, as the Cottagers do not want to lose him, as they know that they have a gem on their hands and believe the player is absolutely vital to their team.
Tottenham’s priorities in this window have been identified as an attacking player and a right-back, so the former Sporting CP man isn’t a requirement, but landing him in the summer could prove to be a fantastic bit of business.
Hailed as ‘outstanding’ for his performance against Liverpool back in August, the maestro has gone from strength to strength as the weeks have gone by, later being praised by football writer Mark Carruthers for his work-rate and timing of challenges.
Antonio Conte already has Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg as a defensive option in the midfield, but Palhinha has outclassed him by quite a large margin over the past year, averaging more tackles, blocks, clearances and aerials won per 90 than the Dane, and so signing him would upgrade the central-midfield area considerably.
Leeds United’s rumours linking them with Ben Brereton-Diaz persist, with a respected journalist expecting a patient approach to the deal.
What’s the latest?
That’s according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, who has suggested him as a target following reports in the past linking Victor Orta with a move.
The journalist would issue the following update, with his own input on when he thinks the Chilean might move, to GIVEMESPORT: “There are others as well that Leeds United are looking at, and I think that one of them is still going to be Ben Brereton Diaz who’s at Blackburn.
“And Brereton Diaz has already vowed to stay at the club until next summer, so they might have to play a longer game on that one. But we wait and see whether or not Leeds can influence that situation in any way shape or form.”
“Phenomenal” deal
Boasting plenty of goals for their place in the division, having scored 22 times in just 14 games, it would make sense for the Whites to focus on solidity rather than added goals.
Despite this, it seems Jesse Marsch clearly cannot resist an opportunity to bolster his attack, with Ben Brereton-Diaz proving an extraordinary option for a Premier League club willing to take the risk.
The 23-year-old has already scored nine times this season in the Championship, assisting a further three in just 24 games.
He seems poised to match his equally impressive tally of 22 in the league from last campaign.
As such, Brereton-Diaz has more than earned the label of a “dangerous finisher” that Dean Smith branded him.
Throughout his short career, he already has 52 goals to his name, which he pairs with a further 22 assists. That seems set to expand exponentially with each passing season given his blistering form following his switch in nationality.
Boasting the qualities to be a target man or a striker who comes to feet, it seems like given the continued absence of Patrick Bamford, this could be his ideal replacement.
With goals hardly at a premium at Elland Road, to sign the man dubbed a “phenomenal player” by football scout Ron Dor could remain a stroke of genius despite other urgencies.
Phil Hay revealed earlier today that Jesse Marsch would be prioritising a left back and a forward for the coming windows, and this lethal marksman could fit the bill perfectly for the latter spot.
Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their bid to bring Ruben Neves to the Emirates Stadium in the January transfer window.
What’s the talk?
That’s according to a report by The Times, who claim that, despite the central midfielder entering the final 18 months of his contract at Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, Julen Lopetegui is unwilling to part with the 25-year-old this winter, with the Spaniard preferring to wait until the summer before considering cashing in on the Portugal international.
This is sure to have come as a huge blow to Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, with the 40-year-old manager reported to be interested in a £40m move for the former FC Porto star in January, while the likes of Barcelona, Liverpool and Manchester United are also thought the be keen on the Wolves talisman.
Dream Rice alternative
Considering just how impressive Neves has been so far this season, coupled with central midfield undoubtedly being the area of Arteta’s squad that is in need of the most work heading into the second half of the current campaign, the argument that Arteta simply must move for the Portuguese sensation – even if it means paying a premium – in January is an easy one to make.
Indeed, despite Wolves’ struggles in the league this season, the £34.5m-rated talent has nevertheless shone over his 14 Premier League appearances, having already hit the back of the net four times – making him his club’s top scorer – as well as taking an average of 1.9 shots, making 0.9 key passes and completing 0.4 dribbles per game.
The £50k-per-week engine has also impressed in metrics more typically associated with his position, making an average of 2.9 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 2.4 clearances and winning 4.5 duels – at a success rate of 53% – per match, as well as playing an average of 7.1 long balls, 5.1 chipped passes and completing 52.1 total passes – at a success rate of 85% – per outing.
These returns have seen the player who David Cartlidge dubbed “unreal” average a quite staggering Sofascore match rating of 7.29, not only ranking him as Wolves’ best performer in the league but also as the joint 13th-best player in the top flight of English football as a whole.
Also, considering that Arsenal will likely have to cough up around £70m – £30m more than Neves’ asking price – in order to land another of their reported central midfield targets in Declan Rice this winter, and with Neves currently outperforming the England international in the league, the Wolves star could well be an unreal alternative to the 23-year-old.
As such, even if Arsenal were to pay slightly over the odds for Neves this winter, it would very much appear worth beating the likes of United and Liverpool in the race for the midfielder’s signing, as the 25-year-old would undoubtedly represent an “astonishing” – in the words of Graeme Bailey – addition to the Gunners’ current options in the middle of the park.
West Ham United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Olympique Marseille midfielder Gerson.
The Lowdown: West Ham’s busy summer transfer window
The previous summer transfer window saw the east London club be particularly busy in the market with the number of new players they managed to bring in.
Names such as Lucas Paqueta, Gianluca Scamacca and Thilo Kehrer, among others, all joined David Moyes’ squad for significant transfer fees.
Now though, with the January window approaching, it seems as though the Hammers may have been given the opportunity to bring another new face to the London Stadium.
The Latest: West Ham offered Gerson
According to a recent report from Goal Brazil, West Ham, as well as Spanish club Sevilla, have been offered the chance by intermediaries to sign Gerson from Marseille.
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This comes after a proposed move to Flamengo broke down, leaving the player with the opportunity to leave the French club once the upcoming January transfer window opens.
The Verdict: A risky move?
Despite scoring two goals in the 10 Ligue 1 games he’s played this season, Gerson has not shown that he should be at the top of West Ham’s priority list in terms of potential January recruits.
For example, the £67k-per-week attacking midfielder, who has been compared to Paul Pogba in the past, has only delivered four key passes for his side, leaving nine other players at the club with more.
Having also lost control of the ball 15 times after being tackled by an opponent, only three other players at Marseille have done so on more occasions.
From a defensive point of view, the Brazilian has only managed to make a combined total of eight tackles and interceptions, showing that he doesn’t have more of a presence off the ball either.
His overall performances have earned the midfielder a rather disappointing season rating of 6.48/10 from WhoScored, making him one of the lowest-rated players at the club.
Taking all of this into account, you could argue that signing Gerson in January could be a risky move for the Hammers given how lacklustre he has been so far this season, but it seems to be one to watch heading into 2023.
Tottenham Hotspur right-back Djed Spence could be handed his first start of the season against Nottingham Forest this evening.
What’s the latest?
Speaking in his pre-match press conference (via BBC Sport), Cristian Stellini hinted that Antonio Conte could be set to field something of a rotated starting XI at The City Ground tonight, before suggesting that the former Nottingham Forest loanee could be one of those brought into the side for the Carabao Cup clash.
Regarding the Forest game, the Tottenham head coach said: “Every game we play, we want to win. We will use the best team to try to win the game against Forest.
“For our young players, every game is the game to trust in him. If we think the EFL Cup is important, we need players who are ready. Djed Spence is one of those, for sure.”
Conte must unleash Spence
Considering just how exciting a prospect Spence looked to be while on loan with Forest last season, coupled with how little the 22-year-old has featured for Tottenham following his £20m move to north London this summer, a Carabao Cup fixture against his former side would appear to be the perfect opportunity for the Italian to finally unleash the youngster.
Indeed, over his 45 Championship appearances in 2021/22, the £19m-rated right-back was in fantastic form going forwards, scoring two goals, registering five assists and creating six big chances for his teammates, in addition to taking an average of 0.6 shots, making one key pass and completing 1.8 dribbles per game.
The £25k-per-week defender also impressed in metrics more typical of his position, making an average of 1.4 tackles, 1.5 interceptions and 1.1 clearances and winning 5.8 duels per fixture.
Rather understandably, these performances saw the England U21 international earn a considerable amount of praise, with Ian Wright dubbing the wing-back both “swashbuckling” and “unbelievable”, while Trevor Sinclair also singled the youngster out in an interview with talkSPORT this summer, stating:
“There is competition for places but I think Djed Spence will go straight in there, especially with the way that Antonio Conte likes to play 3-4-3. I think he’s is going to be a huge problem.
“I saw him play against Arsenal for Nottingham Forest last season – he was against [Nuno] Tavares, [Gabriel] Martinelli, and [Kieran] Tierney and he ran them all ragged. I thought, ‘Who is this kid because I’ve not seen a lot of him?’
“He really made his mark in the Championship last season and also played very well against Leicester City when they knocked them out of the FA Cup. I think he’s the real deal.”
Indeed, considering just how incredible a talent Spence looks to be, it would appear extremely advisable for Conte to finally hand the 22-year-old his first start for Spurs this evening, as the youngster could easily go on to prove himself more than capable of a regular starting spot in the Premier League moving forwards.