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Arsenal power rankings: Who impressed in March and who must improve?

Who, if anybody, impressed and which players must improve?

Friday 24 March 2017 13:59 GMT

Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

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1/10Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Impressed: 1/5

Alexis Sanchez: Even with the controversy over contracts and his apparent 'laugh' during the defeat to Bayern, Sanchez has shown why he is Arsenal's best player. He came on to assist Welbeck after he was benched at Anfield and his goal against West Bromwich Albion was the result of a player producing as much as he can in a team that struggles to reach the same standards.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Impressed: 2/5

Theo Walcott: Walcott is still to reach the heights of Sanchez but the goal against Bayern at least brought hope that he could end the season strongly. If only he could score similar goals on a regular basis. The inconsistent winger was also the one to break the deadlock against Lincoln, but offered little against an organised West Brom.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Impressed: 3/5

Aaron Ramsey: He missed the Liverpool game but with Ozil out the team Aaron Ramsey has had to handle the burden as the key passer for Arsenal, finding the space to move defence to attack, a solid performance and goal against Lincoln City showed promise. He had chances against West Brom he should have taken but overall the Welshman has been better than poor in March.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Impressed: 4/5

Hector Bellerin: A stand-out performance against Lincoln made the difference for Bellerin, who constantly pressed forward to open up a rigid defence. Rumours of Barcelona being interested in the right-back indicate what a key player he is for the north Londoners.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Impressed: 5/5

Danny Welbeck: The former Manchester United striker is still on his way back from injury, but the early signs have been encouraging. Even though his return is in its ‘don’t strain yourself or you'll be injured again’ stage, the goal against Liverpool showed he can rise to the occasion.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Must improve: 1/5

Olivier Giroud: When Sanchez was dropped at Anfield, Giroud had the opportunity to establish himself as Arsenal’s frontman, yet he struggled against an average Liverpool defence. He could not provide any inspiration in the defeat to Bayern Munich, either and scored only once in the month's four games, against non-league Lincoln.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Must improve: 2/5

Alex Iwobi: Iwobi burst onto the scene last year, with impressive performances in the Champions League and domestically, but the last few months have been a learning curve. The Nigeria international is struggling to sparkle in the final third as defences become more aware of to what to expect.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Must improve: 3/5

Granit Xhaka: Xhaka has managed to quell his temper over recent weeks, but he is still struggling with the Premier League's physciality. Meek displays against Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion proved that the Switzerland international has a long summer in the gym ahead of him if he is to add bulk to his bite.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Must improve: 4/5

Shkodran Mustafi: The summer signing was injured in December and has struggled ever since the New Year. Laurent Koscielny arguably has not helped his partner's cause, getting himself sent off in the defeat to Bayern, but whether facing the skill of Arjen Robben or the physical prowess of Salomon Rondon, Mustafi has been left wanting.

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Arsenal power rankings: Who's in form and who must improve?

Must improve: 5/5

Francis Coquelin: The Frenchman was supposed to become the lynchpin of Arsenal’s midfield, but his breakthrough seems a distant memory now. After playing only 45 minutes at Liverpool, he was benched for the visits of Bayern Munich and Lincoln City and didn’t even feature in the defeat to West Bromwich Albion. Coquelin has clearly fallen down the pecking order and will struggle to work his way back up it.

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March has been a short but tough month for all associated with Arsenal.

‘Wenger Out’ protests have been countered by ‘Wenger In’ protests, and events on the pitch have matched the turmoil off it.

First came the defeat to top four rivals Liverpool, then elimination from this season’s Champions League on a 10-2 aggregate scoreline, all topped off by a disastrous reverse at West Bromwich Albion.

The month’s solitary saving grace was victory in the FA Cup quarter-finals over non-league Lincoln City, which earned Arsene Wenger’s side a spot at Wembley next month.

So which Arsenal players, if any, impressed over the past month and which ones need to majorly improve?

Take a look at the gallery above this article to see who we think deserves a pat on the back and who needs to pull their socks up.

Do you agree with our rankings? Let us know in the comments.

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