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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2. Gabriel Martinelli

Initially breaking onto the scene in jaw-dropping fashion, injuries and adjusting to regular Premier League football tempered Gabriel Martinelli’s involvement. Yet this season has seen the young man become an integral part of Arsenal’s front line.

Martinelli benefited from Emile Smith Rowe’s pre-season absence as he became an undisputed starter. The Brazilian’s start to the season has done nothing but vindicate his transfer and his spot in the squad. Although Martinelli started a decent amount of games last season, many felt his overall output could go up a level. With two goals in two games, it seems as if the left winger is hitting his stride.

Against Leicester, supporters could see how far Martinelli has come. He has gone from a tricky but lightweight winger to a consistent goal threat and physical behemoth. His first touch and dribbling have stayed with him as he has added muscle to his game. The former Ituano man can no longer be bumped off the ball, even though Wesley Fofana certainly tried his best.

Gabriel Jesus’ inclusion has taken Martinelli’s impressive pressing to another level in addition to his on-the-ball qualities. On Saturday, he was constantly getting on the ball, putting immense pressure on the Leicester backline and showing everyone why the spot on the left wing is his to lose. Few attacking players in the world have as well-rounded a game as Martinelli. Everything from his close control to his intensity and even his set piece delivery has improved. Long may this improvement continue!

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1. Gabriel Jesus

With two goals and two assists, who else could be chosen as the standout player against Leicester? The effect Gabriel Jesus has had not just on the attack but the team as a whole has been utterly transformative. He drifts wide to receive the ball, combining well before arriving in the box to finish off a chance he helped create. That ability to start and end moves is something Arsenal have been missing for years. Lacazette could do the former and Aubameyang the latter but Jesus can do both.

His physicality in challenging for long balls and running into the channels provides an out ball for Arsenal’s defence as well. The way he spun Jonny Evans was nothing short of beautiful. Jesus also led the press with Odegaard, never giving the Leicester defenders a second to breathe.

Jesus’ mentality must not be brushed aside either. His interviews exhibit an inspiring hunger for more. He cited his disappointment in not scoring one or two more and Arteta has reinforced this new mentality with his own responses. His goalscoring and leadership (settling nerves and attacking with efficiency after conceding two soft goals is no easy task) will prove crucial as Arsenal push for a return to the Champions League.

Arsenal’s first few fixtures see them as favourites going in but they must still get the job done. Against Leicester, they certainly did so. While the attack looked dangerous every time players burst forward, there are plenty of aspects of the game that merit analysis and improvement. Arteta’s work is certainly not done as Arsenal look to Bournemouth next.