Our favorite football game, FIFA 17 is set to launch in India at the end of next month. The game releases on PS4, PS3, XBox 360, XBo One and PC. The game may also release in Google Play Store and Apple App Store. FIFA 17 has exciting new features, including the Journey, where you get to live a young footballer’s dream of playing in the Premier League, and Frostbite engine, which is used by EA Dice in Battlefield.
Arsenal had a golden opportunity last season to win EPL for the first time in more than a decade, but they failed to capitalise on poor performances from the big clubs. However, they’ll take inspiration from the fact that they finished above arch-rivals, Tottenham Hotspur last season to snatch a 2nd place finish. Arsenal have added Swiss midfielder, Granit Xhaka to their ranks, and the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach skipper will be a good addition to Arsenal’s squad. They have also added Rob Holding – the young defender from Bolton.
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Also Read: 5 players Arsenal should sign this summer
Let’s take a look at Arsenal’s predicted player ratings in FIFA 17:
#1 Goalkeepers and Defenders
Arsenal was blessed with one of EPL’s best goalkeeper in Petr Cech, and the Czech international came out on top many a time to save his team. Koscielny stood out in the heart of Arsenal’s defense, and Bellerin established himself as one of the best right-backs in Europe.
Petr Cech: 85 --> 87
The Czech Republic skipper joined Arsenal last season and was exceptional between the posts once again. A winter upgrade to 86 and amazing performances will surely improve his rating to at least 87.
David Ospina: 78 --> 79
The Colombian had an excellent debut PL season in 2014-15 but got replaced upon Petr Cech’s arrival. Despite limited first-team opportunities, Ospina was clearly the best goalkeeper at Copa America Centenario, and made some vital saves in the penalty shoot-out against Argentina in the finals, to help Chile lift their second consecutive Copa America. Ospina will start for Arsenal in the cup games, and deserves an increase in rating.
Hector Bellerin: 74 --> 81
Bellerin lived up to his potential last season, establishing himself as one of the best right-backs in Europe. Bellerin had 5 assists to his name last season and look menacing whenever on the attack. The 7 point jump is justified for the La Masia graduate, as he developed into a top quality performer, with exceptional performances on the big occasions, and definitely, has the potential to become one of the world’s best right-back.
Callum Chambers: 72--> 72
Chambers had a solid 2014-15 season, and was one of England’s brightest defensive prospects, but fell out of reckoning last term. He made only 15 appearances in Europe and EPL, 13 of them from the bench. Chambers still remains a bright prospect at 21, and with incredible versatility, Chambers will retain his 72 rating. Expect bigger things, come next season.
Laurent Koscielny: 83 --> 85
The Frenchman is one of the best defenders in the EPL and played a vital role in Arsenal’s 2nd place finish last season. Koscielny combines sheer pace and strength with outstanding positional awareness, and he is no slouch on the ball either. Definitely, deserves the +2 upgrade.
Per Mertesacker: 83 --> 81
Mertesacker is clearly not the player he once was, but still put up decent performances along his partner, Koscielny to help Arsenal’s cause. The tall German’s career is clearly on the decline and is likely to suffer a drop in ratings.
Rob Holding: 64 --> 71
The former Bolton man enjoyed a strong season in the Championship and his obvious potential, along with a move to one of the biggest clubs in the EPL should see the youngster comfortably crack the 70s in terms of overall.
Nacho Monreal: 79 --> 81
Monreal, too, like his full-back counterpart, Bellerin, had an amazing season. He had 4 assists to his name last season, and will play an important role in Arsenal’s title challenge once again. A very consistent player in defense, and threatening on the attack, Monreal deserves an upgrade.
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#2 Midfielders
This is one position Arsenal have always excelled at, with brilliant midfielders in their rank. Midfield partnership of Coquelin-Cazorla and Coquelin-Elneny were vital to Arsenal’s 2nd place finish, along with the wizardry of Mesut Ozil.
Granit Xhaka: 81 --> 82
The Swiss midfielder will be Arsenal’s biggest signing this summer, by the look of things. The former Borussia Monchengladbach skipper led his team to a 4th place finish last season, with 3 goals and 2 assists. Although the stats might look bleak, Xhaka was fundamental to his team’s success as he runs the midfield with efficiency and tenacity, and is currently one of the brightest midfield prospects in Europe. The Swiss should get a minimum +1 bump in his rating.
Aaron Ramsey: 82 --> 84
After an average 2014-15 season, Ramsey had a scintillating 2015-16 for both club and country. He stole the limelight from Bale at the Euros, with one goal and 4 assists to inspire Wales to the semis. His presence was dearly missed when he had to sit out against Portugal in the semis due to suspension, which they went on to lose 2-0. The Welshman also scored 5 goals and provided 5 assists in EPL and Champions League, which should be enough to increase his rating.
Jack Wilshere: 81 --> 80
Wilshere has loads of potential, but inconsistency and injuries kept him on the sidelines for much of the season, appearing in only 3 PL matches Wilshere was injured for much of the EPL and had a disappointing outing at the Euros where England went out to lowly rated Iceland in the pre-quartes. That’s likely to reduce his rating to 80.
Santi Cazorla: 85 --> 85
The 31-year old was brilliant in the first-half of the season but was sidelined for most of the second-half, due to injury. Noticed how Arsenal suffered a dip in their form after his injury? Cazorla does deserve an increase in rating, but taking his age and injuries last season into consideration, he’ll just retain his FIFA 16 rating.
Mesut Ozil: 87 --> 89
Ozil is Arsenal’s best player and one of the best attacking-midfielders in the world at the moment. He is a true delight to watch, as he glides across the pitch with grace and elegance is a joy to behold. He provided 19 league assists and 6 goals to win Arsenal’s Player of the Year. It’ll be a shame if he’s rated anything below 88.
Theo Walcott: 81 --> 79
Walcott showed a lot of promise in the 2014-15 season, and fans expected him to finally reach the levels expected of him after 10 years at the Emirates, but he managed only 7 goals in 34 appearances. It even led to questions asked about his future at Arsenal, and will surely suffer a dip in ratings after the disappointing season, and emission for England’s Euro squad.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: 79 --> 79
Chamberlain put up some good, if few, performances last season, and proved he has loads of potential, once again. The youngster has a lot of pace, and with a high potential rating, Chamberlain will probably reclaim last season’s rating, and will probably feature more for Arsene Wenger’s side this season.
Mohamed Elneny: 73 --> 75
There was a lot of criticism of Arsenal’s purchase of Elneny but won the Arsenal Vitality Player of the month time and again. Elneny established himself as a regular in the team soon after making his debut and deserves a +2 bump in ratings.
Francis Coquelin: 79 --> 80
Coquelin was an integral part of Arsenal’s midfield alongside Cazorla in the first-half of the season, and their incredible partnership helped Arsenal’s cause. Arsenal faced a strong dip in form as soon as the midfield duo got injured, losing 0-4 to Saints, drew against Liverpool and Stoke, and lost to a weakened Chelsea. Coquelin-Elneny will play a vital role in Arsenal’s midfield this season.
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Forwards
Alexis Sanchez: 86 --> 87
Sanchez wasn’t necessarily at his best last season, yet he managed to score 16 goals and provide 9 assists. The Chilean also led his nation to Copa America glory for the second successive time and was the winner of Copa America’s Golden Ball. The former Barcelona man is undoubtedly a world-class talent, and will have a huge role to play next season, following Arsenal’s failure to sign a top striker yet. The Chilean should get a +1 increase.
Danny Welbeck: 79 --> 79
Welbeck was very unlucky after he was out injured for 10 months, but came back stronger than ever with an injury-time winner against eventual champions, Leicester City. He was impressive till he injured his knee again to sideline him till next February. Despite so many injuries, Welbeck should retain his 79 rating.
Oliver Giroud: 82 --> 82
Giroud missed loads of opportunities and many Arsenal fans don’t really like the Frenchman as their first-choice striker, but he did manage to score 21 goals in EPL and Champions League. EA might decrease his rating, but a few goals at the Euros might just help him retain 82 points.
Wellington Silva: 72 → 74
Silva has always shown sparks of brilliance here and there, and was very good in his loan spell at Bolton last season, showing good adaptation to English football. Silva will provide depth to Arsenal’s squad next season, and might get an improved rating.
Alex Iwobi: 55 --> 70
Iwobi had a breakthrough season last term and played well in the various positions Wenger deployed him at. He played on both flanks, CAM and also, as a striker, on some occasions. Iwobi has loads of potential, and it will be interesting to see how Wenger uses the 20-year old.
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