Arsenal have recovered from a slow start to sit second in the Premier League table, level on points with league leaders Manchester City.

Arsene Wenger’s side lost on the opening day at home to Liverpool, and then drew the weekend after against Leicester, but since then the Gunners have won six league games in a row, which included a brilliant 3-0 win over Chelsea in September.

Their tally of 19 points means that only goal difference separates Wenger’s side and Pep Guardiola’s City going into this weekend’s fixtures, which sees Arsenal host Middlesbrough and City take on Southampton at the Etihad.

Arsenal have also started their Champions League campaign brightly. They picked up an important point away at Paris Saint-Germain in their first match, and have since beaten Basel and Ludogorets at the Emirates to sit level on points with PSG at the top of Group A.

There have been many impressive performances from a number of Arsenal players over the past few years, and here are THREE players that are underrated by numerous fans up and down the country…

Nacho Monreal

It looked for all the world that Kieran Gibbs was going to become Wenger’s first choice left-back, even if injuries did stunt his progression.

But Nacho Monreal had other ideas.

The Spanish full-back moved to The Emirates in 2013 and, although the signing was seen as an underwhelming one, he has come in and been solid at the back for the Gunners.

He also gets up in support of the attackers and crosses the ball particularly well. Although he is at the age of 30, you sense that Wenger can depend upon him for a few years yet.

Francis Coquelin

It’s incredible to think that, just a few months previous to him starting for Arsenal in the Champions League against Monaco, Francis Coquelin was on loan at Championship side Charlton Athletic.

Ever since he came back to The Emirates at the start of 2015 though, he’s provided Wenger with a solid and dependable option in the middle of the park.

Strong, aggressive, but also with the ability to retain possession and pick out a pass, Coquelin has impressed throughout the last few years, and provided a foundation for the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to get forward.

Many people still believe that Arsenal need another option in that defensive midfield area, which seems to do Coquelin an injustice given his great displays in recent seasons.

Olivier Giroud

Perhaps a controversial choice, but Frenchman Olivier Giroud is not half as bad as what people make out.

He has exceeded 20 goals in two of his four seasons at Arsenal and, in the other two, he reached 17 and 18 respectively.

Although he is not as prolific as Sergio Aguero, Diego Costa or Harry Kane, Giroud brings a lot to the Gunners team with his strength and ability to bring his teammates into play.

Yes, he does miss the odd glaring chance, but Giroud offers a lot more to Arsenal than many make out.