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Arsenal have had a far better season in the Premier League this term than most expected them to. The Gunners did spend big in the summer transfer market but also shifted out some deadwood. Regardless, the lack of European competition was always going to help them in their quest to finish in the top 4 of the Premier League this season.
Arsenal tipped to land a top 4 spot in the Premier League this season
Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea look set to pick up the first three slots in the Premier League table. The question remains on who will be the fourth team and the last side to occupy a Champions League spot for next season.
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are competing against Arsenal for that one spot. Given the lack of European action, and the young squad at the Emirates, the Gunners are among the favorites to land CL football.
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However, in order to do so, they will need their best players to be at the top of their game to ensure CL qualification for next season.
On that note, let's take a look at five players who could help Arsenal finish in the top 4 of the Premier League this season.
#5 Ben White
Ben White signed for Arsenal in the summer for a massive £50million fee from Brighton & Hove Albion. Several fans and critics were perplexed by this transfer but the Englishman has justified his price tag in his first six months at the Emirates.
The Gunners needed a right-footed young centre-back who could pass the ball out from the back and act as an aerial asset. It is safe to say White has met those expectations and has commanded the backline brilliantly so far.
There has been a slight dip in form in recent weeks but the defense has continued to be impeccable. The English international has been key in helping the Gunners have the sixth best defense in the Premier League this season.
A good defense is the foundation of any top 4 side and White could prove to be a difference-maker for his side in the second half of the season.
#4 Emile Smith Rowe
Emile Smith Rowe has been a breath of fresh air for Arsenal at the Emirates this season. The budding youngster has slowly become one of their most important assets. He is starting to feature more as a super-sub this term but has made the most of his time on the pitch for Mikel Arteta's side.
The English starlet is a quick-thinking, industrious and lively forward-minded player - somebody the Gunners have missed in their squad for a couple of years. Moreover, his versatility is a blessing for Mikel Arteta as he can play him in a 3-man midfield or just behind the striker.
His instinctive ability in front of goal, coupled with a tendency to enter the penalty box at the right time, has resulted in eight league goals for him this season. The attacking midfielder also has two assists to his name, making him the joint-highest goal-contributor at the club this season.
Arsenal may have a lot of tricky games coming up. Smith Rowe could play a pivotal role as an impact substitute in the same. Ultimately, this could be the difference between the Gunners securing a top 4 spot this season.
#3 Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli is finally living up to his potential for Arsenal this season. The Brazilian international missed the start of the campaign through injury but has come into his own in the last three months.
Playing on the left wing, the South American star has caused fear in the eyes of most Premier League defenders. His speed, non-stop pressing and lethal ability in the final third has proved of immense importance to the Gunners.
It also bodes well for Arteta to use Martinelli as a false nine or an out-and-out centre-forward. This allows Arsenal to experiment and approach different teams with different formations and tactics. The tantalizing attacker has four goals and two assists to his name in 14 Premier League appearances this term.
With a top 4 spot key to the current rebuild, Martinelli shall have to turn on the after-burners in the second half of the season to ensure UCL qualification.
#2 Aaron Ramsdale
Aaron Ramsdale could be in with a shout-out for the best Premier League signing of the season if he helps Arsenal qualify for the top 4 this term. Although he was brilliant at Bournemouth and Sheffield United, few believed he could create an impact at the Emirates.
But after just a couple of games at the start of the campaign, he replaced Bernd Leno as the starting goalkeeper. Since then, he has kept 10 clean sheets in 18 games, and is only behind Liverpool's Allison and Manchester City's Ederson.
All of this has been possible due to his acrobatic saves, brilliance in 1v1 scenarios and his handling of the ball. Arteta also likes his side to play the ball out from the back and Ramsdale has played a crucial role in facilitating the same.
The shot-stopper is a young and bustling goalkeeper and his clean sheets might just help Arsenal edge ahead in the top 4 race.
#1 Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka has been the main man for Arsenal this season and is arguably their most important player at the moment. Although he is only 20, the winger has become a leader for his side over the last couple of seasons, including the current Premier League campaign.
A massive threat on the right wing, Saka is technically gifted and has made his way past most defenders in the top-flight this term. Moreover, with the Gunners not playing in several competitions this season, the Englishman looks fresh and innovative on most days.
Additionally, the youngster is excellent in transitional play and often gets on the end of most counter-attacks. Had the strikers at the club been a little more clinical this season, the winger would have had more than his four assists. The English international has also scored six goals and been a huge help in the big games.
Saka is a generational talent in his own right and securing a top 4 finish for the Gunners this season will only elevate his status at the club.
