You have to look very closely to see how influential he really is, and Arsenal’s attack will never be this effective without the Spaniard’s ability on the ball. His goal against WBA told you everything you wanted/needed to know. It had it all – calmness, technique, and the presence of mind to make effective runs into the box.
His experience has played a huge role as well. There is a sense of calmness about him and our midfield has now got that conviction which was absent early on in the season.
His seven years at Everton have hugely helped him develop his mental strength. For example, last year Everton pulled themselves out of the relegation zone in November to finish in the top eight without any significant investment, and it is experiences such as those which have helped Arteta cope with the enormous pressure he has been under since his arrival at Arsenal, and at 29, he is a great example for all those young players in the squad.
For £10 million, he has been an outstanding buy. Ok, he lacks the class of Fabregas, but makes up for it with tremendous work ethic and fantastic leadership. You only have to look at how Liverpool have spent £20 million on the likes of Henderson and Downing to appreciate the signing of Arteta and Wenger’s ability to secure cut price deals.
As we go into the international break, Spain’s unparalleled talent in midfield will give Arteta some much needed rest. When Wilshere returns from injury, Wenger will face a big task of leaving either Ramsey or Arteta out of the squad. I personally feel Arteta will be more effective going forward alongside Wilshire. Van Persie might be hogging all the limelight, but Arteta has done all the unseen hard work and is actually the unsung hero of our club’s revival.
Is Arteta slowly becoming the most important component in our midfield? I think so!
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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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