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Charles Watts

The five players who are vital to Arsenal's chances of finishing in the top four

After seven months of hard work, it all comes down to eight games.

Coming out of the final international break of the campaign, Arsenal 2018/19 awards: Player of the season, best goal, most improved, best moment & best game and have a real chance of securing Champions League football next season.

But with just four points separating Spurs in third and Chelsea in sixth, there is little room for error during what is shaping up to be a dramatic final six weeks of the season.

Arsenal have to wait until Monday night to get underway again, Sokratis, Xhaka and Ramsey - Latest Arsenal team news and expected XI vs Newcastle United. They then have five away games out of their final seven matches of the Premier League season.

And given they have won just once away from home in the league since November, Arsenal 2018/19 awards: Player of the season, best goal, most improved, best moment & best game that his side’s form on the road must improve if they are to keep their place in the top four.

It’s at this stage of the season where players must step up and below we look at the five Arsenal stars who will need to be at the top of their game if the Gunners are to secure the Champions League football they crave in 2019/20.

Bernd Leno

Arsenal’s goalkeeper is enjoying an excellent end to his first season in England.

Having had to be patient during the first few months of his Arsenal career, Leno finally took over from Cech and has had an impressive debut campaign.

The German has really proved his worth in the past couple of months, making some big saves at vitally important times.

His performance against Manchester United immediately before the international break was exceptional and played a major part in Arsenal getting all three points in what was a crucial game.

He will need more performances like that between now and the end of the season.

Laurent Koscielny

There were plenty who questioned whether Arsenal’s skipper would come back anywhere near his best after such a serious Achilles injury.

But the experienced French defender is now playing at an exceptionally high level again and is forming an excellent partnership at the back with the equally impressive Sokratis.

Arsenal 2018/19 awards: Player of the season, best goal, most improved, best moment & best game 

Koscielny has been in this position before with Arsenal, in terms of chasing a Champions League spot. In fact, he has twice scored the goal that has secured them Champions League football on the final day of the season.

So he knows exactly what is needed and Arsenal will need all of his experience to help get them over the line as the run-in heats up.

Sokratis

As stated above, the partnership between Sokratis and Koscielny at the back has looked increasingly impressive in the past couple of months - whether it be in a back three, or back four.

We all know Arsenal's Achilles heel has been the defensive side of their game, especially away from home.

And with five of their last eight league games away from the Emirates, that will have to improve dramatically if the want to secure a top four spot.

They can't keep conceding at the rate they have been on their travels, so keeping Sokratis and Koscielny fit over the run-in will be vitally important.

If both can remain fit and available, you really do fancy Arsenal's chances of getting the points they need.

Granit Xhaka

The Swiss midfielder has become one of Arsenal’s key players under Emery.

He has just returned from international duty with Switzerland Sokratis, Xhaka and Ramsey - Latest Arsenal team news and expected XI vs Newcastle United and that will be a real concern to Arsenal’s head coach.

While Lucas Torreira’s form has dipped over the second half of the season, Xhaka’s has remained impressively consistent - with the 26-year-old vital the way Arsenal play.

Arsenal 2019/20 Adidas kit: When will new shirts launch? What will they look like? All we know

He has taken on a leadership role this season and seems to be revelling in that responsibility and Emery will be desperate to get him back fit as soon as possible.

When Xhaka isn’t in the side, Arsenal look a far worse team - which is perhaps the biggest compliment you can give him.

If the Gunners are to stay in the top four, they will need Xhaka to be at his best.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

The Gabon international already has 17 goals in the Premier League this season and Arsenal will be hoping he can add at least another six to that tally before the end of the campaign.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

While Aubameyang has been as prolific as usual for the Gunners, some big and important chances have also gone begging in recent months - none bigger than the last minute penalty against Spurs which would have turned one point into three at Wembley.

Arsenal must be clinical in front of goal over the closing weeks of the season, especially away from home where they are not going to create the same amount of chances as they do at the Emirates.

Aubameyang must step up when the opportunities come his way.

Sokratis, Xhaka and Ramsey - Latest Arsenal team news and expected XI vs Newcastle United 

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