Report: Three Arsenal players that Mikel Arteta has already improved

Arsenal appointed Mikel Arteta as their new head coach in December and the Spanish international has already begun implementing his playing style at the Emirates Stadium. Arteta was well known for improving players at Manchester City and we take a look at the three players that he has already improved in the few weeks that he has been at the club.

1. LUCAS TORREIRA

Lucas Torreira has been outstanding ever since Mikel Arteta got appointed as he has been played in his favourite defense midfield position and has been very key to how the new boss wants Arsenal to play. Torreira is making more tackles and interceptions as he did when he had just arrived from Sampdoria. Lucas Torreira looked lost at the start of the season after Unai Emery decided to play him as an attacking midfielder and there were many reports that he’d leave in January but it looks like the arrival of Arteta has not only improved him but also made him want to stay.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: Lucas Torreira of Arsenal breaks past (L) Davy Propper and (R) Adam Webster of Brighton during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on December 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

The Uruguayan international has also been a very good partner to Granit Xhaka and their partnership looks like it will help the gunners to win more matches this season, the Arsenal fans are very happy to have their little lion back and will be hoping that he keeps up this form.

2. AINSLEY MAITLAND-NILES

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has this season mostly been played as a right back because the gunners don’t have a natural fullback to play in this position at the moment. Maitland-Niles looked disinterested when playing in this position a few months back and even communicated through the media how he didn’t see himself as a right back but Mikel Arteta’s arrival has changed him a lot.

ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 21: Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on September 21, 2019 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Maitland-Niles has been very impressive in the three matches that he has played under Mikel Arteta and you can see that he now plays differently as the boss looks to have told him to sometimes go in midfield to help the North Londoners in progressing their attacks. Maitland-Niles has also looked more confident in these past few matches and has also been helpful in defence as he Is  no longer easily let’s wingers go behind him.

3. DAVID LUIZ

David Luiz joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £8million and he has cost the gunners many points in the last few months but he has also made tremendous improvement under Mikel Arteta as he has been very integral in the two clean sheets that the gunners have got so far with, Arteta at the helm.

LONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 05: (L-R) Sokratis and David Luiz of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on December 05, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal defenders have bad a tendency of easily letting players enter their penalty box and get shots against them but it’s clear that Mikel Arteta has started working on this as David Luiz is now engaging the attackers before they get too close. It’s going to be interesting to see how the former Chelsea man does until the end of the season as he admitted that him and his teammates aren’t physically ready to play Arteta’s game for the full 90 minutes after their 2-0 win over Manchester United.