Unai Emery has been lavished with praise by Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville, who believe the Spaniard is vastly over-achieving with a squad which 'should finish sixth.'
Following their impressive victory over rivals Manchester United, the Gunners placed top four destiny in their own hands - on a weekend in which Tottenham were defeated and Chelsea dropped points to Wolves.
Speaking following the 2-0 win over the Red Devils - in what was the first domestic defeat for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer since taking charge - Carragher highlighted the perceived weakness of Arsneal on paper.
'I actually think Arsenal's set of players in the worst in the top six, If you see where teams should finish judged on their squad I'd say they should finish 6th and at this moment they’re 4th,' said the former Liverpool man.
'I think that shows the job he's doing and that's the change here in the stadium.'
Carragher went on to draw comparisons between the current set-up and the reign of former boss Arsene Wenger, who he believes could not conjure the same atmosphere from the fans at the Emirates.
'The team he wants is a more intensive team than the one we saw under Arsene Wenger.
'Even under Wenger you never really got the stadium like that. There’s an intensity about it. Coming here in the last four years I haven’t really seen that.'
Fellow pundit Neville was also in agreement, sharing a similar opinion that Emery is operating above what is to be expected, given the tools he has been equipped with.
'He's working with a squad that's limited, in the sense that you're thinking it should be finishing sixth in the league, but he's doing brilliantly with it.'
hioacilpt
137
I think their views are good. But also think credits must me giving to our ex coach. He couldn't get on the pitch . All was about trust . Our is doing well but let us remembered that was what he is pay for. Correct our past wrong. Thanks to the team. Let's keep pushing
tropicalda
126
Exceptional performance, and another tactical masterclass from Unai Emery. Every player delivered today, from Leno at the back to Aubameyang & Lacazette at the front. Special praise must go to Maitland-Niles and Xhaka, who had their best displays of the season.
kezblmoptu
121
They made a point. And thats why i wanted Wenger to leave Arsenal. Wenger is not willing to alter his tactics in a game and thats why we get battered against big teams. Emery employed a 3-4-1-2 today to stop Rashford and Lukaku runners. and two upfront to cause problems. Wenger never played this formation in the 9-10 years
Mohindia
114
Impossible not to look at this and think Emery is doing a very, very good job.
Juneiknrsu
78
All those who claim Emery is better than Arsene wenger should shut their mouth. Remember who bought Auba, Lacazette, Ozil, Kolazinac , Xhaka and other main backbone of Arsenal team. It was Wenger not Emery. Especially Auba and Lacazette, they were brought in only few months before Wenger could use them effectively, he left Arsenal. The rest is history. So credit should go to the Legend Wenger.
Nodabprz
64
Neville is unhappy with the man u losing their unbeaten run to Arsenal at the Emirate. At the game at the Emirate, Granit Zhaka and Ramsey outplayed Pogba, Fred and Matic. He has forgotten that we should have beaten Man u the leg at Old Trafford. They were lucky to get a draw. Contrary to his opinion,the team Emiry inherited from Wenger is strong enough, couple with the few additions he signed last summer to compete in PL. He should be humble in defeat, and face the fact that the current Arsenal team is better than Manchester united side. Among the top six teams, its only man city that beat Arsenal home and away. Arsenal drew at home and lost away only to liverpool. We lost away and won at the Emirate to Chelsea. We won at home and drew away to Spurs. And, against man u we drew away and won at the Emirate.
Cindklmo
61
Arsenal played team defense and team offense often having two to three on one manu player. The 343 stuffed the middle and provided attacking power. Having laca back made a big difference. Maitland-niles stuffed that right side and played one of best games ever. kolas is a delivery beast. And Ozil showed what he is good at moving to space and opening the opponent up. Play this group again and watch Gunners take 24 points from last 8 games.