3 key players for Arsenal’s nine-game title run

Gunners’ destiny.</a></p> <h2>3 key players for Arsenal’s nine-game title run</h2> <p>As the club approaches glory three unsung heroes have emerged as vital.</p> <h2>1. Rob Holding</h2> <div id="attachment_133070" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-133070" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1474596978.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1474596978.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1474596978-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">William Saliba’s injury has thrust Rob Holding into a starting role. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)</p> </div> <p>The English centre-back has struggled for game time this season. However, in what appeared to be a nightmare evening, William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu suffered season-altering injuries against Sporting CP at the Emirates.</p> <p>While Saliba may be able to work their way back to star quality this season, Tomiyasu has been <a title="Takehiro Tomiyasu OUT for remainder of the season with knee injury" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/21/arsenal-takehiro-tomiyasu-remainder-season-knee-injury/" rel="">ruled out for the rest of the campaign</a>. Holding got his first start of the Premier League season against Crystal Palace before the March international break and has performed well since coming into the side.</p> <p>Although some fans were worried about losing Saliba’s composure, dominance, and pace in the backline, <a title="Rob Holding: Arsenal’s next ‘next man up’" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/31/arsenal-trust-rob-holding-william-saliba-injury/" rel="">Holding has fitted in tremendously.</a> The level of the team has unquestionably been maintained, and massive credit is due to Arsenal’s number 16. Holding will be of indescribable importance as Arsenal head towards the title.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 key player down the stretch </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>2. Ben White</h2> <div id="attachment_133314" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133314 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_999,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1471265140.jpeg" alt="" width="1600" height="999" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1471265140.jpeg 1600w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1471265140-768x480.jpeg 768w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1471265140-1440x900.jpeg 1440w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Ben White has been a consistent performer all season long. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p> </div> <p>If one was to ask any Arsenal fan what they think about Ben White one would be able to compile all the superlatives in the English language, and that goes without considering the wonderful global fanbase Arsenal has.</p> <p>The immensely talented and most certainly competitive right-back was already having an excellent campaign, but he’s added yet another layer to his game in recent matches. White is a rock at the back who has great positioning, the ability to overlap, a silky touch and now an eye for a goal.</p> <p>If fans cast their mind back to the fairytale-like game against Bournemouth, White produced an outstanding performance which was highlighted by his first goal for the club. He then scored a similar goal against Leeds.</p> <p>White is an acutely aware and intelligent player who the team must now depend on for the rest of the season due to Tomiyasu’s unfortunate injury.</p> <p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p> <div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 key performer down the stretch </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>3. Granit Xhaka</h2> <div id="attachment_133285" class="wp-caption alignnone"> <img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133285 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2412,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1478780666.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2412" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1478780666.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1478780666-768x579.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">Granit Xhaka has rediscovered his early-season form. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)</p> </div> <p>Granit Xhaka may have enjoyed one of the best redemption arcs in football history. The Swiss international has said himself that he was on the brink of leaving Arsenal but was convinced by manager Mikel Arteta to stay.</p> <p>Fans have much to thank Arteta for, but retaining and revitalising Xhaka has to be up there with the most important. The midfielder has been deployed in a new role whereby he sits in the pocket between Gabriel Martinelli and whoever is playing up top. Not only does this allow him to get more goals, something he is doing with zeal, but it’s also drastically diminished his red card vulnerability.</p> <p>When playing in a deeper position, teams would often exploit Xhaka in transition and force him into ill-advised challenges. A particular example of this happened against Liverpool last season in a 0-0 draw.</p> <p>A new lease of life has been achieved by Xhaka, and now he is a fan favourite. His mentality drives the team and although he is not the captain he certainly acts like one on and off the pitch. Arsenal’s number 34 showed his mindset <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://twitter.com/adamkeys_/status/1641484683673317387" target="_blank" rel="noopener">after a disappointing loss that knocked Arsenal out of top-four contention last season at St. James’ Park</a>.</p> <div class="embed "> <blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="bXCrrWY37N"><p><a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/02/warning-arsenal-man-city-found-irresistible-groove/">Warning Arsenal: Man City have found their irresistible groove</a></p></blockquote> <p><iframe class="wp-embedded-content" sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" style="position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/03/3-key-players-for-arsenals-nine-game-title-run/2/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/04/02/warning-arsenal-man-city-found-irresistible-groove/embed/#?secret=bXCrrWY37N" data-secret="bXCrrWY37N" width="500" height="282" title="“Warning Arsenal: Man City have found their irresistible groove” — Pain in the Arsenal" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no"></iframe></p></div> <p>For Arsenal to win the Premier League, Xhaka must spearhead the mental side of the squad, and the rest must follow.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">