Arsenal: 3 standout players in 3-1 win over Manchester United

Recent Arsenal performances against Chelsea and Manchester United have been far from comfortable. Both games have exhibited a wild chaos from beginning to end.

Several players have performed below par, too; Aaron Ramsdale, Gabriel and Nuno Tavares have looked a bit lost at times. Defensive resilience was the base that Arteta built on, especially earlier in the season. Creating a solid foundation allowed the attacking players the freedom to express themselves, but since the international break it has seemed like the defense has barely played together.

But, at this moment in time, it’s the results that matter.

This was helped on Saturday evening when a shot-shy Tottenham side failed to register a shot on target for their second consecutive league game, resulting in a 0-0 draw away at Brentford. Now fourth with a two-goal cushion, the tension couldn’t be higher.

Arsenal: 3 standout players in 3-1 win over Manchester United as Mikel Arteta’s side move back into the top four

Arsenal can only focus on themselves, though, and they have earned two crucial results due to their midfield and attacking players fulfilling their roles almost to perfection.

Mikel Arteta found solutions in unlikely sources. This is now the second consecutive match where he’s gone for a midfield pivot of Mohamed Elneny and Granit Xhaka, a pairing who first started a Premier League match together nearly five and a half years ago.

However, getting consistent performances across the pitch will be integral to Arsenal success in the future. Until then, here are three standout players from impressive Man United victory.

1. Granit Xhaka

The journey Xhaka has undergone has been nothing short of astonishing. Moving to London in a big-money move from the Bundesliga, he experienced a tumultuous time (to say the least) under Wenger. Unai Emery’s reign ended in mayhem, with Xhaka’s reaction towards the fans against Crystal Palace proving to be the lowest point of his Arsenal career.

Under the tutelage and calming presence of Arteta – the man who convinced him to stay when his bags were all packed and ready to go – he has performed his duties quietly. He has easily been the most consistent player at the club since the Spaniard took over managerial duties. Almost always available for selection, he gives everything he has in every single game. He slots in at left back, performs a box-to-box role or lines up as a double pivot: “whatever the team needs” encapsulates his mindset.

The games against Chelsea and Manchester United have seen colossal performances from the Swiss international when his tea needed him most.

In the absence of Partey and Tierney, Arsenal threatened to crumble. However, Xhaka has pulled the side together. Asked to cover Tavares defensively, he did so. Asked to control the midfield, he did that too. Asked to get forward to contribute in the final third, he completed that task as well.

He has shown a maturity that fans have waited for desperately. While many would not expect this from him given his disciplinary record and hot-headedness, he has brought a sense of calmness that has prove infectious in an otherwise young and inexperienced squad.

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