Best performers
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The striker is definitely finding his feet in the new year - his first league hat-trick (vs Leeds) and a massively important brace in the return leg vs Benfica is a testament to that.
The skipper has been often fielded as the lone forward and there's a sense his improvement came about with 3 creative players - Smith Rowe, Saka, Odegaard - fielded behind him on a consistent basis.
Bukayo Saka
The youngster continues to play a lot and contribute a lot. A goal and 3 assists in 6 matches this month - and Saka's assists in Europe have been as crucial as Auba's goals.
Bukayo finally got a deserved rest vs Leicester and we are happy he had that breather. He'll likely be back on vs Burnley to break down their defence - then Arsenal face Spurs and Olympiakos twice in quick succession.
Nicolas Pepe
The winger scored a beauty vs Wolves to kick off his month and finished it with an absolutely monstrous performance vs Leicester: a goal, drawing a penalty and drawing the foul for the free-kick Luiz scored from.
There is a theory Pepe has improved with Cedric as the support he needed on the right wing - it will be interesting to see what Arteta does next with Nico.
Granit Xhaka
The midfielder played all 7 games from start to finish, assisted Auba with a neat through ball vs Leeds and put in a massive shift vs Leicester. The Swiss seems to have cemented his place in the XI and we don't mind.
Worst performers
Hector Bellerin
The Spaniard continues to offer little in either attack or defence, he definitely should have done better on Leeds' second and the same might be true for Man City's only goal - although Holding was perhaps guiltier.
Cedric looks much better when he's on - his link-up with Pepe vs Leicester will certainly give Arteta food for thought. We won't be surprised to see Bellerin leave this summer.
Dani Ceballos
He's only started 3 games this month - Leeds and Benfica twice - and we wish he started one fewer. The Spaniard nearly buried Arsenal's season with a disastrous performance in Athens.
We kinda get where Arteta is coming from when he talks up Dani's professionalism but we won't be surprised if Ceballos is back in Madrid next season.
