Xhaka one of two Arsenal players to make worst rated 2021/22 XI

We're only three games into the new Premier League season, yet we've already seen some of the best and worst on offer in the division. Having last week run through the best rated XI in August, attention turns to the worst rated side. 

For the purposes of this article, those who have made three appearances and registered at least 200 minutes of action are eligible to feature as we look at the five worst rated players to make this XI in the Premier League so far this season. Look away now Arsenal fans... 

5. Milot Rashica (Norwich) - 6.17 

Signed as a replacement for Emiliano Buendia, who departed Norwich for Aston Villa over the summer, Milot Rashica has struggled to make an impact for the Canaries following his arrival from Werder Bremen. In fairness, Rashica has to get up to speed in a new league with a newly-promoted side, who sold their best player, so expecations were always high. 

That said, Rashica has returned a WhoScored rating of just 6.17 in the Premier League this season having managed just three shots and one dribble. In addition, the Kosovan has been dispossessed twice and lost control of the ball due to an unsuccessful first touch seven times. He has also been dribbled past three times from his seven attempted tackles and supporters will hope to see an improvement after the international break. 

4. Granit Xhaka (Arsenal) - 6.15 

Following a summer of heavy investment, Arsenal ended August bottom of the Premier League with no points from three matches, nine goals conceded and no goals scored. Gunners skipper Granit Xhaka is the first of two players to make the worst rated XI with his performance against Manchester City dire to say the least. 

The Swiss midfielder became the second player to be sent off in a Premier League match this season and a poor first half against City, a game in which he earned a WhoScored rating of just 4.88, was a real low point for the midfielder. Xhaka has committed as many fouls as he has made tackles (5) in the Premier League this season to contribute towards an average rating of just 6.15. 

3. Kieran Tierney (Arsenal) - 6.11 

Kieran Tierney has been hamstrung by playing in a poor Arsenal backline, but he has still been on the pitch for all nine goals they have conceded. The Scot is yet to make a tackle this season, and has only attempted one in his three outings. Tierney may have attempted seven key passes in 2021/22, a solid return, but six of those came in the opening day 2-0 loss at Brentford. 

The left-back has been fairly careless in possession, too, picking out a teammate with just 79.1% of his attempted passes. Fans will hope for more from Tierney in the coming weeks as Arsenal look to get their campaign up and running, and the arrival of Takehiro Tomiyasu should allow the 24-year-old to get forward more freely, but Tierney's performances thus far have yielded a WhoScored rating of just 6.11. 

2. Grant Hanley (Norwich) - 6.01 

Norwich have five players feature in the worst rated XI of 2021/22 so far with Grant Hanley yielding a WhoScored rating of 6.01 to fature in this side. The Scottish centre-back has played every minute for a Canaries side that has shipped more goals (10) than any other team. 

In addition, Hanley has returned an aerial success rate of just 57.1%, a poor return for a player of his standing. With the ball on the deck, the defender has landed a tackle success rate of just 40% and has committed as many fouls as he has made tackles (2) to feature in this XI. 

1. Tim Krul (Norwich) - 5.43 

Having conceded 10 league goals this season already, it's no surprise that Tim Krul is the worst rated player in the Premier League in 2021/22 having garnered a WhoScored rating of 5.43. Of the 15 shots in total Krul has faced, he has made just four saves, with a save success rate of 26.7% the second worst in England's top tier this term. 

The Dutchman is one of two players, along with Manchester United's Fred, to have scored an own goal this season with a poor display against Manchester City, where he made zero saves, contributing towards his lowly score. If Norwich are to beat the drop once more, they'll need Krul to up his game after the international break.