It seems as though Arsenal supporters are finally seeing the benefits of trusting the process. After missing out on the top four for three straight seasons under Mikel Arteta, the early signs indicate that this is the campaign where the Spaniard will get it right.
With six wins from their first seven Premier League games, Arteta is getting the best out of every individual in his Arsenal team. Gabriel Martinelli is continuing to thrive, William Saliba has adapted to English football with ease, but perhaps the most improved performances from any Gunners player have been from Granit Xhaka in midfield.
The Switzerland international has impressed at the start of the season, flourishing in a more advanced midfield role. Xhaka has more licence to influence games in the final third, and his sublime assist for Gabriel Jesus' goal against Brentford highlighted why he is been used further forward.
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The 29-year-old has previously received significant criticism from Arsenal supporters and pundits for his displays when operating in a deeper midfield position. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery used Xhaka in the wrong position, and is only now being consistently played in his favoured role under Arteta.
"Sometimes in my job it's nice to be proven right," Murphy told talkSPORT. "I said about four or five years ago when I was heavily critical of Xhaka playing in a holding role.
"I felt for him because managers kept playing him in the wrong position. He's a creative player, he's got a great left foot, he's got a great pass.
"He's not the most athletic and he doesn't spot danger particularly well - why he was ever playing in a holding role I don't know. So there's no surprise to me that we're seeing him in a more forward role and thriving a little bit more."
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