3 standout players from Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Leicester

The contrast between the start of last season and now is beyond stark. Arsenal have played two games in the Premier League, securing two victories. More valuable than the wins, however, have been the performances. The players have pressed with intensity and created chance after chance in stunning attacking displays.

This is not to say the team is perfect. Mikel Arteta’s side still has work to do in maintaining control of games and suffocating their opposition. The passing can be improved and simple mistakes must be cut out. But this is a brand new team shaped in Arteta’s mould. Nearly all fans support the manager and instead of hurling insults and spreading doubt, supporters cheer loudly (even after own goals) and have rallied behind the club. Not just the team but the entire club has undergone a complete transformation.

Against Leicester, Arsenal fans saw the result of this drawn-out process that has tested our patience at times. The domination and intensity that lasted 30 minutes last week was stretched out to the entire first half. The fluidity of the midfield and attack were exceptional once again as Leicester cracked under wave after wave of pressure. A brilliant performance against a tricky team at home.

3 standout players from Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Leicester

Here are three players who stood out in the sunshine at the Emirates.

3. Oleksandr Zinchenko

This spot was a toss-up between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Granit Xhaka. The two have struck up an eye-catching partnership and the left side of the team is more fluid than ever. Zinchenko and Xhaka interchange positions, with the nominal left-back showing his technical quality and passing ability in the middle of the park.

The Ukrainian is incredibly press-resistant, keeping the ball glued to his feet and any Leicester players foolish enough to pressure him were left in the dust. He dovetails well with not just Xhaka, but with Gabriel Martinelli as well. The boy from Brazil is intelligent enough to make penetrating runs and Zinchenko is good enough to find him.

Add to that his leadership and relentless pressing and the reason Arteta bought a “Man City reject” is clear to see. While his defensive frailties were exposed on occasion, Kieran Tierney’s availability off the bench offers comfort to some nerve-wracked fans. Yet while Zinchenko is in the squad, he will continue to match the intensity off the ball and the quality on it that the manager demands of each of his players.

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