Arsenal: There is only one catalyst, and it’s rather clear who

Arsenal are finding themselves in fine form, and the ‘secret ingredient’ has been pinned to numerous players, but there is only one true catalyst.

With Arsenal‘s renewed success, there are countless theories being hazarded as to who the key to the formula is. Many are saying it’s Lucas Torreira, who ties everything in the midfield together in a neat little bow.

Some would argue that it’s the return to epic form of Alexandre Lacazette, and how he, as a striker, is taking charge of so much of what is happening in the attack.

Other’s might argue that it’s the fact that the defense is finally proving capable of not letting in any attack that poses even the smallest threat.

Then there is me, who will argue that Granit Xhaka has become the heartbeat of the club, and therefore deserves a shout-out in this hypothetical list of key ingredients that are making the club tick as a unit.

But no matter what player, or collection of players, you think has become the catalyst, or the focal point, the main catalyst at the club isn’t a player at all – it’s Unai Emery.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

There were more than a few fans that were skeptical about Emery’s track record when he was handed the reigns to this beloved club, and I was one of them. But from the moment it was made public how prepared he was for the interview process, and how he had dossier’s of how to use each individual player, the groundwork was set. This was a man who knew the club, despite never having been associated with it.

You can hear it from all the players already. Bellerin says that Emery has brought a winning mentality back. And he isn’t alone. Many, many players are highlighting how much different it is under Emery, how he demands so much from them, and while this is causing some players to sink, rather than swim, those that are swimming are synchronizing and it’s starting to look pretty damn awesome.

All of these changes that we see – the pressure, the intensity, the strength in the attack – this is all stemming from the philosophies of Unai Emery. Hell, even the defense is starting to take shape, and that looked impossible.

It may still be early in his tenure, but Unai Emery is making a huge difference – a bigger one than any single player is making, that’s for sure.