Arsenal’s young attacking stars are not the only players excelling at the Emirates this season. The Gunners have had a stunning start to the season, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli grabbing the headlines as they sit atop the Premier League table.

But there are also a number of players in Mikel Arteta’s squad who go more under the radar than others.

Jesus has scored five goals in nine league appearances since arriving, while Martinelli and Bukayo Saka shone in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Liverpool. The trio are rightly praised for playing a huge part in the transformation under Arteta.

However, success is about the team and not just individuals. Arsenal have always had exciting attacking players but it has often been what lies behind them which has let them down.

There are three unsung heroes in particular who deserve a mention for their performances so far this season. Granit Xhaka has gone through an incredible turnaround at Arsenal.

Almost three years since he was stripped of the captaincy, many would have doubted he would still be at the club. Xhaka nearly left Arsenal as early as the January transfer window in 2020.

But Arteta convinced him to stay and this season he is reaping his rewards. Xhaka is now loved by Arsenal fans more than ever before.

The Switzerland star has always shown his quality on the international stage but not at club level. He is the Arsenal captain in everything but name and he is starting to earn some respect from opposition fans too.

One of the big reasons behind Xhaka’s success is the form of Thomas Partey. Arsenal’s win record when Partey is fit is so much better than when he is unavailable. It is no coincidence that the only game they have failed to win this season was one where Partey was unable to play. The Ghana star allows both Xhaka and Martin Odegaard to venture forward and make defence-splitting runs in the opposition’s 18-yard box.

Arsenal’s chances of having a successful season will rest on Partey’s fitness. But perhaps the most unsung of heroes in the Arsenal side is Ben White. White has played out of position all season at right-back. He is no Trent Alexander-Arnold or Reece James in the final third, that’s for sure.

However, he is exactly what Arsenal need in that position. Takehiro Tomiyasu is of a similar mould and that profile is clearly what Arteta wants at right-back.

White has kept his Japanese team-mate out of his preferred position and it appears only an injury would force Arteta to make a change in his Premier League XI. White not playing at centre-back will harm his chances of being in Gareth Southgate’s squad for the World Cup.

However, he is doing exactly what his club requires from him. The 25-year-old is going under the radar along with Xhaka and Partey, as Arsenal push forward in the quest to have their most successful season in recent memory.