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Ian Wright has revealed the five players he believes are establishing themselves as real leaders of a new-look Arsenal side.

The Gunners have bounced back from a disastrous 2020-2021 when they failed to qualify for any European football. The knives were out for manager Mikel Arteta and a poor start to the current campaign did little to appease the naysayers. Having lost their first three league games by a combined score of 9-0, many pundits felt the Spaniard’s days at the club were numbered.

But they rallied to win six and draw two of their next eight top-flight encounters. That eased the pressure and the Emirates outfit now find themselves fourth in the standings with ten games to play.

They are four points clear of fifth-placed Manchester United and have a game in hand on the Red Devils. Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Aston Villa put further daylight between themselves and the chasing pack.

And they are now strong favourites to return to the Champions League next season. Bukayo Saka scored the only goal of the game.

Wright was impressed but also made special mention of the side’s rearguard and stand-in keeper Bernd Leno.

“Long may it continue,” he told Premier League Productions. “We’re going to need more goals from other places, as well, but you have to mention the defence.

“Bernd Leno did fantastically well when he came [into the team] today. Villa, obviously, didn’t put him under as much pressure as I thought they would. But defensively, midfield – everything was so solid.

“Arsenal winning games away from home like that is brilliant to see, it’s really good to see.”

Wright picks out new leaders taking Arsenal forward

Arsenal were a sucessful side for much of Arsene Wenger’s time in charge. They won three Premier League titles, with commanding figures such as Tony Adams and Martin Keown in the side.

However, it is closing in on two decades since they last lifted the trophy. There have been accusations that the side has become soft, with a lack of direction.

But Wright is confident that the club is back on an upward curve with the emergence of a new breed of stars.

“A lot of pundits have been very joyous in talking about Arsenal and how weak they are, (having) no leaders,” he added. “Look at them now. This Arsenal team are a young side, we’re starting to see characters grow in the side.

“We’re starting to see people like Ben White, Gabriel (Magalhaes), Kieran Tierney, (Martin) Odegaard, Thomas Partey.

“We’re talking about five, six, seven, eight players are getting an eight out of 10 every week. That’s what you have to do.”

Arteta now has the nucleus of a decent side at his disposal. And Wright feels future transfer windows will be crucial for the club to take the next step.

“Then it’s up to the owners and the manager and the recruitment to bolt on the kind of players that are going to fit in the squad and continue to help them improve,” he continued.

READ MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals key ingredient behind Villa scalp, makes bold Arsenal prediction

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