5 Most improved Arsenal players under Unai Emery

On Saturday evening, Unai Emery’s troops battled Jurgen Klopp’s warriors in a thoroughly entertaining contest. While Emery would feel a little unlucky to have not come away with the win, the neutrals were thrilled to bits with the high-octane football on display.

Slowly but surely, Emery has started ingraining his philosophy on the team. After a rocky start to his Arsenal tenure, Emery masterminded 11 victories on the spin before drawing games against Crystal Palace and Liverpool. Whereas the game against Crystal Palace represented an Arsenal team in 2nd gear, against the Reds, the Gunners were in overdrive for the entirety of the game.

With Arsenal adopting the high-energy, attacking style that Emery professes, many believe that the glory days are not far away for the Gunners.

However, the most pleasing aspect of his spell has been the way he has re-energised players who seemed to have lost direction towards the end of Arsene Wenger’s tenure. The Spaniard has extracted every ounce of ability from the likes of Iwobi, Bellerin and Welbeck while also revitalising Xhaka and the enigmatic Ozil.

Through this article, we would take a glimpse at 5 players who look the most improved since last season. Here is a look at them:

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#5 Danny Welbeck

Since arriving from Manchester United, Danny Welbeck has never really established himself as the first-choice striker at the Emirates. While injuries have hampered his progress significantly, his failure to convert chances also pushed him down the pecking order.

In the early part of his Arsenal career, he had to play second fiddle to Olivier Giroud whereas currently, he is clearly the third-choice striker behind Lacazette and Aubameyang.

However, since Emery’s appointment, the Englishman has discovered arguably his best patch of form in the Red and White. Despite playing fleetingly, he has notched up goals in the Europa League and the Carabao Cup, having scored two in each.

Moreover, he seems to have found his confidence, something which was sorely lacking for the better part of last season. At present, he represents a sound option off the bench who can affect games with his pace and energy.

Welbeck’s resurgence can be hugely credited to Emery instilling confidence in him and getting him performing as well as ever. Hence, without a shadow of a doubt, he makes it to our list at No.5.

#4 Hector Bellerin

Hector Bellerin burst on to the scene as a teenager and quickly became Arsenal’s first-choice right-back. However, after a couple of encouraging seasons, his form dipped and his development stunted. Throughout last season, he was poor yet kept his place only for a lack of alternatives.

Fast forward to this season and Bellerin has shown glimpses of what made him a household name at the Emirates. Though he still looks a little shaky defensively, he has made massive strides when it comes to defensive positioning. While it is arguable whether he played so high up the pitch with his own volition or by Wenger’s instructions, he seems to have become more judicious under Emery.

Bellerin has upped his game when it comes to defending and if Emery can continue working his charm, one can expect the former to be back in the reckoning as one of the top-drawer right-backs in the world.

Another aspect that Bellerin has hugely improved upon is his final ball. Over the years, the Spaniard was never shy of venturing forward yet lacked the end product despite being involved in the attacking third more often than not. In the 2018-19 season, he already has 4 league assists to his name which shows a drastic improvement from his return of 3 assists in the season gone by.

Hence, it comes as no surprise that Bellerin makes our list at No.4.

#3 Alexandre Lacazette

In the 2017 off-season, Arsenal smashed their transfer record to bring the much-vaunted French striker to the Emirates. After hitting the ground running initially, he endured a mid-season slump which was compounded by a knee injury that kept him out substantially.

However, towards the end of last season, in tandem with Aubameyang, the Frenchman looked to have regained his clinical edge in front of goal and developed into a goal threat instantly.

At the start of this season, Lacazette wasn’t the premier striker with Aubameyang being given the nod. However, on the weight of performances, the former quickly got himself into the running for the ‘No.9’ slot. After the duo combined to great effect against Cardiff, the pair has gone from strength to strength with the Gabonese willing to start on the left in order to accommodate the Frenchman.

In the league, Lacazette has made the net bulge on five occasions with his latest goal being the vital equaliser against Liverpool. He has led the line beautifully and his movement has helped his teammates to prosper.

Lacazette was signed to represent a reliable goal-scoring option and if this season’s performances are any indicator, he looks set to live up to that billing. The Frenchman who looked frustrated and disillusioned at times last term is silencing his critics one by one.

Thus, he makes the top three of our list with ease.

#2 Alex Iwobi

Alex Iwobi has been at Arsenal ever since he was a young boy and he made his first-team debut in 2015 against Sheffield Wednesday. While he made the odd appearance in the 2015-16 season, the next season represented the season when things actually started to click for the Nigerian.

He shot to prominence towards the back end of the 2016-17 season and impressed one and all with his natural ability and trickery. However, as the next season came along, his form dropped alarmingly with many calling for his head. While Arsene Wenger rewarded him with the opportunity to shine, Iwobi’s development had stalled in the former’s last season.

Under Emery, Iwobi has looked a man possessed and has displayed the raw ability which made him a darling of the Arsenal faithful. After nearly a third of the season gone, the Nigerian firmly seems to be in Emery’s primary plans.

Iwobi’s biggest assets are his quick feet and ability to breeze past his opponent. Additionally, he possesses the character to actually try things to eke out the edge for his team. While the said ability made him an easy target for criticism last term, the same character has seen him become the name on every Arsenal fan’s lips this time around.

The Nigerian has turned a corner from last season and looks set to finally fulfil his vast potential. Thus, he takes the runner-up spot in our list.

#1 Rob Holding

Rob Holding faced tough competition from the likes of Iwobi and Lacazette for the top spot. However, his quality of performances since being thrown in at the deep end help him take the top spot.

Holding was signed from Bolton in the summer of 2016. The Englishman quickly faced a baptism by fire as he was asked to make his debut against Liverpool in the Premier League opener. After initial teething problems, he composed himself to perform admirably towards the conclusion of the 2016-17 season.

Arsenal’s defensive resources have been tested to the tee this season. With Laurent Koscielny a long-term absentee and Sokratis battling niggling injuries, the onus fell on Holding to hold the fort in the league this season. The Englishman has stepped up to the plate and has been the Gunners’ best defender over the past two months.

Lining up alongside Mustafi, the duo has formed a decent partnership. While Holding still adopts a risky approach with the ball at his feet, he has improved the other aspects of his game vastly. The last few weeks have shown that he has all the ingredients to be a top-notch centre-back for club and country.

Signed for £2 million from Bolton, Holding looks a real steal now. If he can conjure up similar performances, one can expect him to nail down a permanent place in the Arsenal eleven.

A player who was used sparingly since his arrival has now become a rock at the back for the Gunners. The transformation of a young, English boy to a rugged, English defender has well and truly happened this season and hence, he takes the numero uno spot in our list.