September was a quiet month for Arsenal supporters. Following a busy-ish August to start the 2022/23 campaign, we were treated to just three Gunners games this month as the death of Queen Elizabeth II saw two of their fixtures postponed.
The international break, meanwhile, means Mikel Arteta’s showtime Arsenal won’t take to the field until 1 October, when they take on Tottenham in a mammoth North London Derby at the Emirates. The countdown to that fixture is well underway.
Despite the shortage of games, a Player of the Month must still be decided here at PITA. Just two starts were required to qualify for this month’s award.
Gabriel Jesus claimed victory in both July and August, but can he three-peat? Let’s find out. Here’s our Arsenal Player of the Month award for September 2022.
3. Granit Xhaka (Average rating – 7.16)
The top three begins with the resurgent Granit Xhaka, whose stellar start to the season continued into September. The imperative leader started all three games for Arteta this month and he wore the captain’s armband in the impressive victory over Brentford.
I must admit, I didn’t envisage Xhaka enjoying the sort of renaissance that he has as an advanced #8 to start the season, but his current form means he’s one of the first names on the team sheet.
In contrast to his previous four or five years in north London, the Swiss international has emerged as a model of consistency in the middle of the park. Xhaka was handed 6.5, 7.0, and 8.0 ratings for his performances in September to give him an average of 7.16 – enough for third place.
Kieran Tierney and Fabio Vieira (both averaged a rating of 7.0) just missed out.
The recently crowned England Player of the Year hasn’t enjoyed the most productive of starts this season, but his performances are slowly reverting to type.
Saka’s relationship with Ben White down Arsenal’s right is starting to blossom, and the pair’s dynamic is aiding the winger’s ability to deceive the opposing left-back. Arsenal’s starboy opened his account for the season in the defeat at Old Trafford before impressing in the emphatic victory at Brentford.
While he was a substitute in the Europa League win over FC Zurich, Saka garnered an average rating of 7.25 for his two Premier League performances in September.
1. Gabriel Jesus (Average rating – 8.0)
He’s done it again, that Gabriel Jesus! Three months on the spin.
The majestic Brazilian needed just two starts to be crowned September Player of the Month as he was awarded an 8.0 rating in each. Jesus bullied the United defence at times in the defeat that opened the month before Eddie Nketiah was handed a rare start in Switzerland.
Jesus returned to the fold against Brentford where he scored his fourth Premier League goal of the season with a smart header from an excellent Xhaka cross.
The former Man City star is everything Arsenal needed and more, and Mikel will need his star striker to step up amid a difficult October schedule.
