Five Arsenal players who can play the biggest roles this campaign.
Arsenal have started the new Premier League season in reasonable form, although a couple of frustrating draws and defeat to runaway leaders Chelsea has left the Gunners nine points adrift of top spot just two months into the campaign.
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If the Gunners are to haul themselves back into the title race, they will need these five to be at the top of their games:
Laurent Koscielny
French centre back Koscielny is the glue that binds the Arsenal defence together and has become one of the most consistent and dependable performers in Arsene Wenger’s side – the Gunners really need him to both stay fit and on form due to a lack of central defensive cover.
Mikel Arteta
Arsenal’s lack of an out-and-out holding midfielder leaves huge amounts of pressure on captain Mikel Arteta to hold things together in the centre of the park, despite the fact that the Spaniard is only really a holding player by necessity rather than having naturally played there throughout his career.
Aaron Ramsey
With Welshman Aaron Ramsey currently out of the side injured, Arsenal fans have certainly noticed the loss of the former Cardiff youngster’s driving runs from central midfield. Ramsey has developed into one of the league’s finest all-round central midfielders and is a genuine goal threat.
Alexis Sanchez
Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez has yet to really hit the heights that he is capable of since signing for upwards of £30m from Barcelona this summer, despite the odd glimmer of brilliance. If he does hit some real form then Arsenal have one of the league’s best players and someone who can make a real difference.
Danny Welbeck
Welbeck has brought real pace and thrust to the Arsenal attack since his £16m arrival from Manchester United this summer – he makes them look like a far more dynamic side than the injured Olivier Giroud did. If he can add Premier League goals to his early performances than the Gunners have a real player on their hands, someone who can drag them back towards the top.