4 reasons why Arsenal will finish in the top 4 this season | Premier League 2019-20

#2 Nicolas Pepe and Mesut Ozil hitting top gears

Nicolas Pepe has 3 assists and 1 goal in his last two league games

Against Newcastle United, Nicolas Pepe became the first Arsenal player to provide three goal contributions in a single game this season, scoring one and registering two assists. Meanwhile, Mesut Ozil, who has seen significant improvement under Arteta, finally broke his goal-scoring drought of nearly 20 games during the game.

With 4 goals and 6 assists in the Premier League, Pepe is Arsenal's second-highest goal contributor with 10 contributions this season, with the first being Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with 18.

Pepe had a huge burden on his shoulders as he was yet to prove himself in the English top-flight following his mega-money move to the Emirates last summer. He found it difficult to find his feet at his new club and fans did not refrain from jumping on him.

In a world where Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah were bought for less than £50 million, Pepe did not have the freedom he wished he had. However, since Arteta's appointment, the 24-year-old winger has become one of the most improved players along with Shkodran Mustafi and David Luiz.

While Ozil has still not been getting the numbers up on the charts, his performance levels, work ethic on the pitch and his game involvement, have massively improved. From being a want-away player to an indisputable figure in midfield for Arteta, the playmaker has been immense for the Gunners lately.

It would be difficult for Ozil to replicate the form of his prime years but he certainly looks like a player who could last 90 minutes on the pitch and do what he does best: break defences.