Signed on deadline day, Mikel Arteta is slowly endearing himself to the Arsenal faithful.
The fact that he didn’t even have a medical just to complete his move to the Emirates showed how desperately he wanted to join us. He’s been a revelation ever since, playing week in week out with loads of energy and commitment and these two aspects are soon becoming the key aspects of a resurgent Arsenal team.
Having got his first goal at home against West Brom last Saturday, Arteta spoke in length about his new life and how he has managed to adapt himself and his game to the needs of the team:
‘I have not had a lot of time to settle. As soon as I came here there was a pressure and we needed to get results. It has not been an easy time but we have got those results in the last two months.’
He also added how Arsenal have tried to tighten up at the back and his desire to contribute to the attacking side of his game as well.
‘We have been trying to get everything tight and be more solid.
‘I like to get forward, have freedom and I like to score goals. I want to participate more on the attacking side so I did that and I’m pleased. But now we are on a run, we are keeping it together and getting clean sheets. That’s important. I am pleased that we won.’
What has really impressed me about the Spaniard is how he has shunned his natural attacking instincts to contribute to a more solid Arsenal midfield.
There were questions about his fitness earlier in the season, but he has worked his socks off and has been playing a game every three days since joining us.
He might not look flashy with his skill and passing, but he has kept it simple and it has proved to be very effective. His energetic performances have allowed Ramsey to freely move forward and Song to do his defensive duties and this is the key link behind our defence and attack.
he was the best buy of the panic situation. He has more to his game than accurate passing, he has a dependable and steady attitude and a good work ethic. He will grow into a real star performer for us and will take some of the attention away from the amazing jack willshire when he returns…allowing him to flourish.
It all looks good in the midfield area at the moment…we do need a quality striker though to share the load with RVP.
Arteta has great tactical awareness. After Gilberto, this is the first guy in an Arsenal shirt that knows where to be just in case the attack fails.
I totally agree. He hardly wastes a single pass – unlike one or two others I could mention. He has also calmed the youngsters down sometimes when we are ahead, don’t need to make mistakes and do need to be running the clock down. It is called a better (and long overdue) balance between youth and experience.
Glad I’m not the only one to think this, he looks a quality buy. I think our supermarket sweep was quite successful actually, and there’s plenty of time for it to get better.
They were not panic buys! That is tosh. Arteta never got a look in the Spanish team, and now he’s finally got Champions league football.This team looks like a real team. Marseille and Chelsea second half with WBA before the break? Loved it! Three different wins three different ways.Mind you, who could loose at Chelski with an away crowd like ours?
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