Up to May 1st, The Arsenal have played 36 Premier League games.
Of those 36 games, Mikel Arteta has played 28 of them (I’m excluding eight minutes v Wigan).
In the eight matches that Mikel didn’t/couldn’t play, The Arsenal have:
• Amassed a grand total of three points
• Scored six goals
• Conceded 18 goals
With most of the spotlight being put on Robin van Persie’s performances and his effect on the team (and rightly so), I pull out my flashlight and give you ‘The Importance of Being Arteta’.
As Oscar Wilde once said, ‘I don’t play accurately – any one can play accurately – but I play with wonderful expression’, and without Mikel in the middle of the park, that’s what we miss, Wonderful Expression!!!
During the crisis that was unfolding at the start of the season, Mikel arrived and slotted in as if he’d always been there. The unsung hero of Arsene Wenger’s midfield, Arteta provides the coherence, the calmness and the capability to complement those around him. His ability to play alongside Alex Song in the deep central midfield role or as the advanced focal point, just adds to his importance to the team and its balance.
With eight goals this term and a pass accuracy of nearly 91%, Mikel is the conductor and heart of Arsenal’s midfield.
Time might fly, girls may cry, lights may die, but the stats don’t lie and only go to further emphasise his importance during his enforced absence.
Thomas Vermaelen reiterated Mikel’s influence on the team.
The Belgian said:
‘He has been really important for us. He is not only important on the pitch but off the pitch as well. He talks a lot, he’s an experienced player. He is really important in midfield because often you win and lose games in midfield.’
You never really miss something until it has gone and now I’ve realised for the first time in my life the vital Importance of Being Arteta’
TheSundayMorningGooner, Being Earnest.
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We have Definitely missed the spainard since his injury. Makes me think about next season though… As arteta has been shining, rosicky has also been shining. Its obvious alex song should be the one player untouched as he is our anchor and can protect the back 4 which is very important but then when it comes to arteta and rosicky they have an obstacle… Jack the lad. I wonder if Arsene will push arteta forward and have jack play next to alex or will it be the other way around? will he drop arteta and keep rosicky in the advance role? whatever happens I believe arsene is going to have some headaches picking the right combo. good article by the way
What you just said there is the problem steve….
You have just said Wenger has a selection headache between Rosicky, Wilshere, Arteta and Song……I also think he rates Ramsay
What this means is he wont feel he needs to sign anyone.
We have ok squad players but only 1 world class player in RVP, Arteta is good but not world class, with an attitude like yours we are saying what we have is good enough.
Truth is we need better than Arteta….we need an Eden Hazard, Mario Gotze, Sneijder, Ganso or dare I say it Fabregas type player.
Someone special someone everyone else wants…..not Arteta, he has no caps for a reason, he has been at Everton and Rangers for a reason…. yes he is a good player but not good enough for Arsenal to be pinning all there hopes on.
I seriously think that Podolski will be our only signing, I hope I am wrong but I cant see where Wenger will feel needs strengthening unless RVP is sold
And from what stevie says we have the best central midfield in the league and dont need anyone else
It’s a squad game & the midfielders will be rotated next season…but for the remaining games of this campaign Rosicky (who rarely scores)is the only available player capable of replicating Arteta’s role and should drop back to protect the defence as Song wanders around…Benayoun should take the advanced position.
This is worrying for our last couple of games which are must wins! Also why does our style of play seem to totally rely on a couple of players?! Back to the age old no plan B issue
Don’t warry too much guys arsenal will win 2 games. From d look of tins I don’ see Wenger signing any milfilder dis summer break, if only Jack W. Diaby, i want to see diaby having a season free from injury, and we see what a great player he is.
There is no headache for AW he gave Arteta a large contract even in his later years because he knew that the player takes care of himself – in much the same way as Alex rates Giggs. Everybody knows that to navigate your way to a title we need primarily to beat the teams from the North-West of England. The Spaniard’s experience is invaluable and Jack is there to learn from Arteta – who is senior and is paid far more. Arteta is a very highly regarded.
Mikel Arteta is red-hot! Rosicky is sleek,slippery, very dangerous player. Every reason to be excited about the face of Arsenal next season.