I’ve wanted to do this post for a while.
Over the 2011 summer we saw arsenal bring in 9 players, who were, Gervinho, Jenkinson, Chamberlain, Campbell, Mertesacker, Park, Santos, Benayoun and Arteta.
Gervinho, the winger bought from the french champions Lille has brought directness to arsenal’s game which I feel was lacking last season, as he always looks to get past his marker and seems quite comfortable on both feet. The winger had a bad debut in the premiership, in which he got sent off for slapping Joey Barton (I think we can let him off for that) but apart from that game, I believe he started his career with Arsenal well, as he set RVP up for the goal against Udinese in the champions league qualifiers and scored a few goals himself against the likes of Stoke and Blackburn. He does always seems to find himself in great goal scoring positions in the games, but seems quite poor and wasteful infront of goal, which could do with working on. In January Gervinho went to the African Cup of Nations, and scored a beauty in the semi’s but in the final he missed a decisive penalty in the penalty shootout. This seems to have knocked his confidence as the winger hasn’t been the same since he came back to Arsenal but this drop in confidence could also be attributed to the fact that Chamberlain got his spot in the starting 11 and was getting rave reviews from fans and pundits. Overall I have been impressed by the wingers ability, but if he wishes to progress, he needs to work on his finishing.
Jenkinson, a gooner through and through, was purchased from Charlton in the summer. The 6’1 right back(who can also play centre back), was the strongest in the pre season training, and many regard Carl as the best crosser at the club. He was purchased as Eboue’s replacement as the understudy to Sagna to play in the carling cup and possibly the early rounds of the FA cup. However, Carl was called into action much quicker as he had to play at left back against Udinese in the qualifiers, and in the next game was forced to play at right back against Manchester United at Old Trafford, in which he got sent off late on. When Sagna break his leg against Spurs, it was time for Jenkinson to step forward and make his claim to the right back position, but unfortunately Jenkinson had problems with his back which ruled him out for the entire period that Sagna was out, meaning the player hasn’t had much game time this season. Overall, I believe Jenkinson, will have a good season next year but hopefully if he does have to play premier league games, it wont be because Sagna’s out for 3 months.
When Alex Oxlade Chamberlain was signed, most thought Wenger had got the wrong impression when the fans called for a big name signing. Chamberlain hardly featured for Arsenal in the premier league in 2011 apart from the Manchester United game where he game on as a second half sub and didn’t really do anything. He did however start against Olympiakos in the champions league and got his first goal for Arsenal aswell as featuring in the carling cup games. When Gervinho went to the ACN, Chamberlain got his chance in the first team, and he took it with both hands, as he showed everyone the ability he has, but recently has been placed on the bench instead of getting a place in the starting 11. Since the emergence of Chamberlain; a player I believe to be in the Rooney mould of being strong, quick and a good passer. This has forced Theo Walcott to really up his game in the last month or so, which could be down to the fact that not only could Chamberlain take his starting place, but certain pundits have even called for Chamberlain to be ahead of him in the reckoning for a European championship squad place. With this lad and Wilshere in the same team, both Arsenal and England has a bright future.
Joel Campbell couldn’t get a work permit so went on loan to Lorient, where he was a starting 11 player, and started well, getting few goals and assists, but has been benched of late. He has managed to get good goals for Chile against Spain and Wales in the Gary Speed memorial game. Arsenal are likely to try to get a work permit for him again so he can play cup competitions next season, as he’s likely to be behind RVP and Podolski, if the former extends his contract and if the latter actually does become an Arsenal player.
Mertesacker, the German bought from Werder Bremen really made me happy as not only is he 6’6 but he also has over 70 caps for a very good German side. For me he brought a composure to the Arsenal side which neither Vermaelen or Koscielny have as both often surge forward into midfield leaving the defence exposed if they lose the ball. However, the big German does not have a great deal of speed and is quite easily turned, which was proved in one of his first games were Loic Remy turned the German far too easily in a champions league game. Tony Adams also said recently that Mertesacker had helped RVP, indicating that the German is a good influence in the dressing room, which is often disregarded by football fans as they just want great players and forget that the teams needs to get on to be successful. However, in the game against Sunderland, the player got a bizarre injury which ruled him out for the rest of the season. I am of the belief that he is the 3rd choice centre back, and I am happy with that.
Park, well what is there to say? Scored a fantastic goal against Bolton in the Carling Cup and that is basically his contribution. I am doubtful that he will get any other chances next season as it seems Podolski will be coming in.
Santos, well I have to say, I just love this guy. He seems to have taken the joker mantle from Eboue, as he just always seems to be happy, and when Arsenal scored a late goal against Newcastle I saw Wenger hugging him, and the players like RVP and Arteta have both talked about him been a nice guy, so it seems he’s loved by everyone at the club. The guy plays a left back, but has to be the most skillful and attacking left back I have ever seen play and already has two goals to his name for Arsenal as he scored against Olympiakos and then a massively important goal against Chelsea, were he showed great character as he had an awful start to the game, but popped to equalise. One thing I have noticed with Santos is that he often dives into tackles. This means that he either wins the ball and stops the attack or the opposition player has just taken him out of game and this than forces other players, whether is be the centre back or winger or midfielder out of position to try to cover for him. This also applies when he is often caught up field, when he goes on one of his bombing runs. I’ve also noticed with the left back is that unlike most fullbacks, he doesn’t overlap, he cuts inside, which explains why he gets so many goals. Santos was starting to get to grips with the premier league, when he got a bad injury in the champions league in a pointless game against Olympiakos, which effectively ended his season as Gibbs seems to be the first choice left back now. Overall I believe that Santos is a fantastic player to have in the squad, as he’s good for morale, and is a fantastic technical player, and is good cover for Gibbs, especially as Gibbs is very injury prone.
Benayoun, was a last-ditch loan signing from Chelsea. He hasn’t had much game time for Arsenal this season, but has played a part with an important late goal against Villa in december. The player has great versatility with him been able to play in central midfield or on the wing, and has played in the Carling Cup games, with lots of the young players like Nico Yennaris saying Benayoun was a very good person to have in the squad as he was giving them advice before and during the game. It is likely that Benayoun will go back to Chelsea and will be sold to a mid table side were he will likely be a first team player week in week out.
Arteta, has delighted me this season. He will undoubtedly get comparisons with Cesc, which is wrong as they play differently. If you watch Arteta, he is constantly touching the ball, he doesn’t try to do anything outrageous with the ball, he just keeps the possesion where as Cesc would constantly surge forward leaving space in the midfield, and even if Arsenal were winning he would constantly do this, which is why Arsenal always had the liability of being able to concede a goal, whereas with Arteta, he realises that we have to see a game out, and that we have 90 minutes to get a goal, so there is no rush to get the goal and just keeps Arsenal ticking over. The stats also show that Arteta has had more touches of the ball then any other player in the premier league this season. In my opinion Arteta was the most important and the best signing Arsenal, as Arsenal have not won when he’s not been in the side, and his retention of the ball is badly missed whens he’s not on the pitch which was proved against Swansea. Arteta has also brought the best out of Song in midfield as he constantly covers the defensive midfield position, meaning Song can venture forward and try the audacious passes which he’s done for RVP vs Liverpool and Everton and Walcott Vs Aston Villa.
Lets hope these guys can get even better by next season, and if all stay fit with new players coming in, I predict a good season for Arsenal.
Tags: arsenal, Arteta, EPL, football, PL, Premier League, premiership
