Arsenal Vs Manchester United: 5 things we learned – Mikel Arteta is a genius

4. Maitland-Niles, Torreira, Luiz shine

There are many very impressive things that Mikel Arteta has done in his first few weeks as Arsenal head coach. But perhaps more than anything, it is the manner in which he has improved individual players, especially those that were previously misused or underperforming under previous managers.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles might well be Arsenal’s best performer under Arteta, finally playing a focus at right-back that allows him to make the most of his athletic and techincal gifts. David Luiz’s superb distribution is now being exploited to its best advantage, while Lucas Torreira is playing in his best position and flourishing as a result.

These were players that Unai Emery failed to get the best out of. And now Arteta is not only maximising their efficacy; he is actually building the team aroud them. Luiz is now the anchoring centre-half of the defence, Torreira plays the conducting base of the midfield, while Maitland-Niles is often the outlet against the high press when moving centrally. Arteta is allowing these players to shine, and Arsenal are reaping the benefits.