FIFA 21: Arsenal Player Ratings

In the 2003/04 Premier League season Arsenal achieved the incredibly difficult task of going unbeaten for an entire league campaign. However, the Gunners have not won the league since that ‘invincible’ season, with their trophy haul comprising of domestic cups since.

Arsenal were once a team whose strong and powerful players, such as Tony Adams and Patrick Vieira, complimented their more technically gifted stars such, as Thierry Henry. Since that era, however, Arsenal have been criticised for failing to replace the core of that team.

They certainly look a long way off winning the league again, having finished in eighth place last season although they did win the FA Cup. In Mikel Arteta’s first full season as manager, can Arsenal get back to winning ways?

Below is a list of Arsenal’s best players on FIFA 21, with a table containing a full list of Arsenal’s players organised by their rating to be found at the foot of the article.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (OVR 87)

Club: Arsenal
Best Position: ST
Age: 31
Overall: 87
Skill Moves: 4-Star
Best Attributes: 94 Sprint Speed, 93 Positioning, 91 Finishing

Aubameyang has scored 22 goals in each of the last two seasons for Arsenal in the Premier League. Last year he finished one goal behind Jamie Vardy in the race for the golden boot, whilst the year before he was one of three players to win a share of that award.

There is no doubt that the Arsenal and Gabon captain is crucial for both club and country. His impact on both teams is invariably the difference between success and failure. Behind Aubameyang in the Arsenal scoring charts last season was Alexandre Lacazette with 10, which shows just how important Aubameyang is to his team.

The hallmarks of Aubameyang’s game are his sprint speed (94), positioning (93) and finishing (91). To have those three stats all above 90 illustrates just how good Aubameyang is. Other highlights on his stats sheet are his 91 acceleration, 88 reactions and 88 composure, which combine to make him an ideal striker.

Aubameyang’s other statistics, particularly his passing and dribbling, aren’t at the same level, but they are still more than serviceable. That said, his short passing (77) and long passing (64), along with 80 dribbling and 82 ball control do mean that he is best used as a central striker rather than out wide.

Bernd Leno (OVR 85)

Club: Arsenal
Best Position: GK
Age: 28
Overall: 85
Weak Foot: 3-star
Best Attributes: 86 Goalkeeper Reflexes, 85 Goalkeeper Diving, 84 Goalkeeper Positioning

Leno’s record at Arsenal has been marred by the poor defensive displays from his side. But, the German, who joined the club in 2018 from Bayer Leverkusen, has been a solid presence between the sticks for the Gunners and has lived up to his price tag of £22.5m.

Goalkeepers also usually enjoy longer careers than outfield players, so although Leno is now 28, the best may well be yet to come for the German. He certainly looks to have several years as a first-rate goalkeeper ahead of him.

Leno’s worst goalkeeping attribute is his kicking (80) and, as a result, he is best distributing the ball with his hands rather than his feet. Other than that, however, his reflexes (86), diving (85), positioning (84) and handling (83) are all very strong.

Alexandre Lacazette (OVR 83)

Club: Arsenal
Best Position: ST
Age: 29
Overall: 83
Skill Moves: 4-Star
Best Attributes: 87 Shot Power, 85 Ball Control, 84 Positioning

Since moving from Lyon in 2017, Lacazette arguably hasn’t lived up to his reputation as a prolific striker. In the 2016/2017 domestic campaign with Lyon, he scored 28 goals in 30 games, a figure he hasn’t been close to reaching in the red and white of Arsenal.

In fact, concerningly, he has provided ever-diminishing returns since arriving in North London. But he has shown glimpses of his ability and, in his defence, has not always started consistently in the league. Still just 29, there is also time for Lacazette to turn things around at Arsenal.

Though Lacazette isn’t the fastest player (77 acceleration and 75 sprint speed), his positioning (84), finishing (83) and particularly his shot power (87) make him a very dangerous striker. Whilst on the ball, his ball control (85), dribbling (84) and reactions (84) can enable him to create space for himself in promising positions.

Mesut Özil (OVR 82)

Club: Arsenal
Best Position: CAM
Age: 32
Overall: 82
Skill Moves: 4-Star
Best Attributes: 90 Vision, 88 Short Passing, 88 Ball Control

The story of Mesut Özil at Arsenal could be made into a play. Rated as Arsenal’s fourth best player on FIFA, Özil hasn’t played for the club regularly for some time. This is partly due to back trouble, but also for another unspoken reason.

His twitter suggests he is fully committed to the club, but clearly his last two managers have not agreed. At 32, Özil’s best days are likely behind him, but the German does still have a lot to offer. The question is: can he offer it at Arsenal?

At his best, Özil can carve through teams with his array of passing, which is still recognised on FIFA. His 90 vision, 88 short passing and 82 long passing allow him to make technically difficult passes and play his teammates in on goal.

Özil’s Ball Control (88) also sticks out, identifying him as a player who can receive passes and move the play on quickly far better than most. But physicality remains his Achilles’ heel. His 67 acceleration 61 sprint speed, along with 62 stamina and 56 strength, are a cause for concern. Particularly because he is on the wrong side of 30, meaning his physical attributes will continue to decline.

Willian (OVR 82)

Club: Arsenal
Best Position: RW
Age: 32
Overall: 82
Skill Moves: 4-Star
Best Attributes: 88 Dribbling, 86 Agility, 86 Acceleration

Willian is a Brazilian winger with plenty of flair and pace. Since joining Chelsea in 2013, he has been a consistently exciting player in the Premier League and he will hope to continue dazzle having moved to Arsenal over the summer.

However, since 2013 when he joined Chelsea, Willian has never accumulated more than 10 goals or 10 assists in a single season. Moving to Arsenal at 32, it will be interesting to see whether Willian cements a starting role or whether he has been brought in more for his experience.

Though Willian’s physical attributes aren’t what they used to be, he is still a player with very good dribbling ability and should be able to get past defenders. His 86 acceleration and 86 agility make him a mobile presence on the wing, whilst his 88 dribbling and 82 ball control to go along with 4-star skill moves gives him the skill to take the ball beyond his man.

At 32, Willian will not be a long term addition in a career mode but if you’re looking for a player to come in for a year or two to have an immediate impact, Willian could be the man. His high attacking and defensive work rate and 4-star weak foot mean he can be used on either wing.

All of the best Arsenal Players in FIFA 21

In the table below are the all the best Arsenal players on FIFA 21 sorted by overall ability.

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