After a disappointing start to the season, losing to the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea in their very first two games, Arsenal have gone on to win 4 out of the 4 games played since then. An incredible improvement in their form has helped the Gunners snatch the 6th position on the table, behind Watford and Tottenham on goal difference, and above Manchester United with 12 points.
Unai Emery has certainly been a blessing in disguise for the London side, as the legend Arsene Wenger bid goodbye to his fans after a 22-year-old tenure with Arsenal. Questions were asked about who will be the true successor to Wenger, and Emery stood up for the job.
The Spaniard's man-management and tactics have brought a different dimension to the Arsenal squad and have always impacted the Gunners' game. Arsenal looks a resolute and a well-organized side who looked more keen on coming out on top in every single battle against the top dogs in the Premier League.
As I said earlier, Arsenal under Unai Emery looks determined to win, and some players have yielded huge improvements in their game under the Spanish boss. Let's discuss a handful of such players.
#4 Aaron Ramsey
Arsenal's golden boy Aaron Ramsey has been an important player for the London side, as his ability to create clear-cut chances and score goals never seem to deteriorate. Ramsey is the definition of a box-to-box midfielder; a player who does his defensive duties while at the same time involves himself in attacks.
Ramsey was heavily linked to Barcelona in the summer transfer market this season, as the likes of Torreira, Mkhitaryan, Iwobi, etc generated doubts on his abilities to control the Arsenal midfield.
However, the Welshman stayed with the club and Unai Emery trusts him to take on the midfield. He controls proceedings confidently and has a more specific role under Emery, something he didn't have with Wenger.
He has bagged two assists in his last 6 games for Arsenal, though he did not start each one of them. He is fighting for his place in the starting 11 against Mkhitaryan, and that makes him even more determined to improve.
#3 Mattéo Guendouzi
From playing Ligue 2 football for Lorient, Mattéo Guendouzi has ended up at one of the greatest footballs ever. This was the riskiest signing of the season by Unai Emery, and nobody expected him to take a huge decision in getting an unproven player in his very first year with the Gooners.
However, Guendouzi has not disappointed his boss, as the Frenchman has been a vital player for Arsenal. Absolutely no one anticipated his drastic improvement in the Premier League, except Unai Emery maybe.
He has played top-level football in 5 out of the 6 games he has played till now, that one unconvincing performance coming in his very first game against Manchester City, which is acceptable considering the fact that he is new to English football.
Emery has made a noteworthy signing, and he certainly sees the future of Arsenal in Mattéo Guendouzi.
#2 Lucas Torreira
One of the most impactful players for the London side, Lucas Torreira is clearly a blessing for Arsenal. The 22-year-old transpires positivity on the pitch, and he is a kind of midfielder Arsenal lacked in the recent decade.
Unai Emery has helped him unleash the beast inside him, as the Urugyuan does not feel any kind of pressure whatsoever, for which the coaching staff must be praised.
Torreira is an explosive midfielder, who has the calibre to break apart defences with his passes and is filled with talent. At just the age of 22, he looks more confident than a 30-year-old player.
Certainly the one for the future.
#1 Alexandre Lacazette
Not many were willing to bet for Lacazette to play for the Gunners as frequently as Aubameyang, but the Frenchman believed in himself and as a result, he looks even more confident and determined to score goals than his partner-in-crime Aubameyang.
Aubameyang is certainly a world-class player, and that is exactly what his tenure at Dortmund describes. However, his start to the PL this season was a bit of a concern. And guess who helped him bring back his confidence? Lacazette.
The 27-year-old has drastically improved under Unai Emery, and he is only getting better and better with time. I would not be surprised if he finishes in the top 5 for the PL Golden Boot this season.