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Football London
Football London
Sport
Joe Doyle & George Smith

Ian Wright picks out the three Arsenal players who have turned Mikel Arteta's season around

Arsenal legend Ian Wright says that Bukayo Saka, Kieran Tierney and Emile Smith Rowe have completely changed the season for Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners were languishing in 15th position in the table on a seriously poor run of form, but three straight wins has lifted them to 11th in the table, just three points short of Chelsea in sixth.

The trio were in top form in the 4-0 win over West Brom, causing the opposition a myriad of problems that Wright says have not been a feature of Arsenal's play for most of this season.

"The team was playing with a lack of confidence, they really were," Wright said on Match of the Day.

"There were too many sideways passes and I think with [Bukayo] Saka, [Kieran] Tierney and with Emile Smith Rowe, the way that they want to get forward and create, it has totally changed. Wins are going to help you gain confidence.

"Saka, today, again, had a magnificent game.

"I think what is good about what Arsenal have done, is that they had Saka and Tierney, who were Arsenal’s most creative players, both on the same side. Now they've switched them up and it seems a bit more balanced."

The Gunners' second goal seemed to sum up everything that was good about their performance for Wright.

"Look at Emile Smith Rowe in that nice No.10 area," Wright added. "Passing, moving and then they’re in.

"He passes it to [Alexandre] Lacazette, gets the ball back, plays it across for Saka and it’s in. That is old Arsenal and what they can do. It is great to see them doing it.

"What Arsenal need from midfield is more goals and you can see Smith Rowe on the edge of the box getting ready to come in. He was so unlucky to hit the post."

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