Walcott, Gervinho, Arteta and Ramsey are all capable not only of providing the quality service for the main man, but also chipping in with their fair share of goals over the course of the season. I am convinced that both Walcott and Gervinho will reach double figures this season. This does not, as our critics and knockers would maintain constitute a ‘one man team,’ but more a well rehearsed orchestra playing to the tune of a maestro conductor.
Yes we all hope that our skipper can maintain form and fitness, but I am sure that in 2008 when Ronaldo scored 38% of Man United’s league goals on their way to the title, and 40% of their European goals on their way to Champions League glory, that The Reds felt the same. I am not sure that Tevez and Rooney felt they were part of a one man team, but they both had to accept being rested or moved out of position to accommodate a player again at the absolute peak of his powers.
After Dortmund last night, RVP now has 50% of all our goals in the league and Europe so far this season, excluding the Carling Cup and just over 50% if we just look at the league. That said, we are only 12 games in to the Premier League and two of the main support acts, in Gervinho and Mikel Arteta, are new to the team and bedding in. Gervinho already has 5 assists and 2 goals in his first 9 league games and even the legendary Robert Pires only scored 4 times in his first season after arriving from France, which is a huge credit to the Ivorian.
In conclusion, yes we need RVP fit and yes we need to ensure we have a direct replacement should he need resting or is injured, but we are far from a one man team.
In truth we have a manager fortunate to have in his squad one of the best players in world football at the moment, and who is intelligent enough to build a balanced and supportive team which can play to the strengths of that player, in that formation, whilst being true to the Wenger way. This is not unusual for Arsenal or other top sides in recent times. Graham did it for Ian Wright, Wenger himself did it for Thierry Henry, Mourinho certainly set a team up around Drogba and Ferguson did it for Christiano Ronaldo.
So let us quietly continue to build a team worthy of the man and ignore those who believe the one man is our team.
Like what you read? Then follow me on Twitter – http://twitter.com/goonerdave66
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
Good post bud.
Inspiration
Good post as always! Nice point made there about the increasingly common use of lone striker subsequently meaning more goals for the lone striker.
Well said.
One does get a little sick of the one-man-team comments but it means he’s playing well. He’s been my favourite player since Henry left and to see him excel like a lot of us knew he could is just great, he’s pure class and I hope he retires at Arsenal so I can watch him play for the red and white week in week out.
RVP!
Yeah mate, tell them . We are a no one man team! If so then even barcelona is a one man team! Lay off this team and let them do their thing in peace. Big up true gooners!