‘Very good’: Charlie Nicholas names four Arsenal players who have impressed him recently

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Arsenal legend and Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas may have been left disappointed with the Gunners’ shock Europa League elimination but he sought to look on the bright side, in conversation with Sky Sports.

Mikel Arteta’s charges took a slender 1-0 lead into the last-32 second leg at the Emirates Stadium as Olympiakos came to town.

Arsenal were taken to extra time by Pape Abou Cisse’s goal early in the second half, which levelled the tie.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s overhead kick in the 113th minute seemed to have done enough to get the Gunners into the next round.

As extra time entered its latter stages, however, Arsenal conceded again, this time through the unmarked Youssef El Arabi’s effort.

To add insult to injury, Aubameyang – the player who had scored for the Gunners and has effectively carried them for much of the season – spurned a gilt-edged opportunity to score late on.

Nicholas spoke in detail on Sky Sports about Arsenal’s defeat, where they stand now, and what Arteta and the club must do moving forward, before singling out four young players for praise.

“They still have a chance to finish inside the top four of the Premier League,” said Nicholas. “I am not convinced though as the weaknesses are there. Until these players are replaced, Arsenal will not get the ingredients to move forward.

“I have enjoyed small improvements under Arteta, the attacking side of things in particular, which includes Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah. I can seriously look at and say these young players are very good.”

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It has indeed been a very disappointing week for Arsenal, in particular considering the ramifications that arguably the best chance the Gunners had to qualify for the Champions League has now gone.

However, the Gunners are a work in progress at present – after Unai Emery was let go, the club has gone back to the drawing board, with Arteta slowly but surely making his mark on the team.

Plenty of work still needs to be done, with the next transfer window likely to bring widescale incomings and outgoings.

On a brighter note, the likes of Martinelli, Saka, Willock and Nketiah have done themselves proud and could be the foundations upon which Arsenal’s next great team could be built.