2 Arsenal Stars Named As Most Improved Premier League Players This Season

According to Dailmail’s list of the most improved players in the EPL this season and they featured on it.

On Xhaka, they wrote:

“Xhaka’s midfield performances have built a solid foundation for the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to express themselves freely up front in pursuit of goals.”

Xhaka’s improvement owes a lot to how Mikel Arteta, the man who convinced him to stay at the Emirates Stadium in 2020.

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Xhaka has been instrumental in bringing the best out of Jesus, whose header from the Swiss international’s cross against Brentford took him to four goals in his first seven starts.

Xhaka has been viewed as a deep-lying midfielder throughout his time in the Premier League but that role is now left to Thomas Partey, with Arsenal’s full-backs, usually Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White, often tucking inside to provide additional support.

Xhaka’s role has changed but some things remain constant. His professionalism and commitment, while often overlooked by fans, have always commanded the respect of his peers – and coaches.

On Martinelli, they added:

“Martinelli has epitomised Arsenal’s youthful fearlessness and is benefitting immensely from a long period of time in the team without injury, having struggled with knee problems in the past.”

Martinelli has always been a player who can excite when he’s on the pitch – that’s why he was such an instant hit amongst Arsenal fans following his move from Ituano three years ago.

However, at times, his inexperience would let him down, especially with his end product in the final third.

Arteta has worked hard on improving that and this season we are now seeing a far more clinical version of Martinelli.

Martinelli’s ability to take on defenders in one-on-one situations has helped Arsenal push further up the pitch and get into better attacking areas, resulting in more chances and goals for Arteta’s side.

The Brazilian’s performances in the attack have him ahead of Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha who is renowned for his impressive dribbling ability, with the Ivorian winger linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium

The Brazilian is averaging a goal every 195.8 minutes so far, which is a marked improvement from his previous campaign (one every 311 minutes).

His shot conversion rate is 15.4 percent – up from 11.5 percent from 2021-22. He is also averaging more shots per game (3 compared to 2.5), more shots on target (1.3 compared to 0.8), creating more chances (2.3 compared to 1.6), and completing more dribbles (2.3 compared to 2.2).

Martinelli has fashioned 19 chances from open play this term – only Mohamed Salah (26) and Kevin De Bruyne (20) have created more.

Not only is he now a more dynamic player, but he is also a more productive player.

And – alongside Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka – he is part of a front three that is as dangerous as any in the English top flight, with the trio already amassing 22 direct goal involvements between them.