Arsenal duo David Luiz and Sokratis Papastathopoulos have improved under Mikel Arteta, according to Bacary Sagna.
The Gunners' latest campaign got off to an awful start, and Unai Emery eventually paid for the club's poor run of results as he was relieved of his managerial duties in November.
Freddie Ljungberg stepped in for Emery on an interim basis, but was unable to oversee a revival in fortunes as Arsenal slipped further down the table and out of the race for Champions League qualification.
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Questions were asked of a defence marshalled by £8 million summer signing Luiz, who was initially unable to cut out the trademark errors which have followed him throughout his career.