The Dimona-born Yossi Benayoun was one of the two players to be signed on summer deadline day without having a medical.
The 31-year-old, who was acquired on loan from Chelsea, made his Arsenal debut against Swansea by replacing Arshavin, and made his first start for the north London club against Dortmund in the Champions League just 3 days later.
However, since then, he has made two starts in the Carling Cup and has merely been restricted to substitute appearances. In between all this, he was out injured for a period of 10 days.
When asked how fit Benayoun was and if he still has a role to play this season for Arsenal, Arsene Wenger said:
‘He is doing well at the moment. The season is so long that he will play his part and I am convinced that he will be an important player for us.’
The Israeli is known to be a midfielder who can play behind the striker or on the flanks. The space behind the striker is currently being occupied by Ramsey and needless to say Walcott owns the right wing. Currently, the only way Benayoun could make his way into the first-team is during the Carling Cup games, or if Wenger decides to rest his first-choice players one week.
A number of Arsenal fans have questioned the signing of Benayoun, who missed almost 6 months of last season and is already above 30, but Wenger has defended him alongside the other signings made during the summer window:
‘I am adamant that the players we brought in during the summer are top quality. They are also top quality men who have brought something to the dressing room — that is vital.’
Practically, January should/will be a big month for Yossi. Gervinho will be out on international duty with Ivory Coast and Arsenal will be playing 8 games in this month (if we qualify for Carling Cup semis). Yossi will most probably get his chance to play in his preferred position(s) at this time, and if he manages to impress and takes his chance(s), he might just play a vital part this season for Arsenal.
Last year, Arsenal crumbled in the final stages of the season because of several reasons. One of the main reasons was they didn’t have many experienced heads who could say ‘I’ve been there, done that’. Benayoun is exactly that kind of a player. He fought off a relegation battle in the 2006-07 season with West Ham and was also omnipresent when Liverpool were challenging for top-honours in the 2008-09 season.
If Benayoun gets the chance to play 4 to 5 games in a row and notch up a few goals/assists, then he would surely garner some momentum.
A player of such experience, combined with good form, would be very useful for The Gunners, if they are still in contention for silverware during the last few months of the season.
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He’s there incase there are injuries, can be a good substitute; especially when our players get lazy towered the 80th minute. This would help better players get important rest.
Also has a lot of experience so overall will be a good player to have in the squad.