Eric Dier says he’s noticed one big thing has changed about Arsenal this season

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Bayern Munich centre-back Eric Dier has now admitted that he’s noticed one big change about Arsenal so far this season.

Despite being out of favour before leaving Arsenal’s north London rivals, Tottenham Hotspur, Eric Dier is expected to start at the Emirates tonight.

Thomas Tuchel hasn’t really settled on a preferred partnership in recent weeks and months.

And despite Dayot Upamecano and Kim Min-jae starting last weekend’s league defeat against Heidenheim, it seems Eric Dier will start alongside Matthijs de Ligt tonight.

Of course, there’s similar uncertainty regarding who will start in Arsenal’s forward line this evening.

Mikel Arteta can only choose one of either Gabriel Jesus or Gabriel Martinelli to start on the left, with the former thought to be the favourite right now.

That being said, the rest of Arsenal’s team does look very settled, and the Gunners will need to continue their excellent defensive record of late over these two ties.

That being said, when speaking on The Overlap with Gary Neville, Eric Dier admitted he has seen a huge change in Arsenal’s approach this season.

Eric Dier has been amazed by how resolute Arsenal have looked so far this season

Neville asked Dier what he thought of Arsenal’s draw away to Manchester City of late, and the progress they’ve made this season.

Dier replied: “I think everyone was a bit disappointed with the way the game went but, I think they are a very different team to last season you know.

“I think last season they played a lot nicer football than this season, but this season they seem to be a lot more result driven, a bit more gritty, a bit less naive I’d say probably.

“I think maybe they would have tried to play a bit more toe-to-toe with City last year even at the Etihad and this year they seemed like, okay, we’re going to come here, defend well and move on.”

Of course, the defender will be able to experience that change for himself when he faces Arsenal tonight.

Arsenal’s xG comparisons are incredible this season

Dier is right, Arsenal have become a lot more defensively robust this season, but importantly they’ve also not lost their attacking flair.

Via Understat, Arsenal have the third highest xG (67.01) in the Premier League this season and the lowest xGa (24.80) – a key reason why they are top of the league 

That being said, the same stats do also prove that Bayern should still be leading the Bundesliga quite comfortably this season, despite being 16 points behind Bayer Leverkusen.

It’s a fascinating match up tonight, and a chance for Mikel Arteta and his Arsenal side to make history.

That being said, one exciting youngster was spotted in first-team training before tonight’s clash.