Surprise after surprise after surprise

Diaby has clearly been deployed to replace Song (Song played more centrally for Arsenal with Mikel Arteta holding as evidenced in the report citing positional indiscipline for his sale). Diaby is a more potent threat carrying the ball forward and he has the knack to boss and dictate play more than Song ever could.

Metersacker, whom many dubbed too slow and a suspect in the back, has stepped up and shown why he has over 75 caps for Germany. He has proven to be a reliable giant in the heart of our defence, more like Mr. Arsenal, Tony Adams was and his absence against Chelsea raised many questions even from Wenger as it was a bad day at the office for the back four.

Jenkinson on the other hand has made fans that have a short memory question whether we actually need Bacary Sagna, who is out injured but soon to return back in the starting 11. The youngster has all the ingredients of a successful right-back. He has pace and lots of it too that helps him in bomb up and down the right flank. He is energetic, a good passer and crosser of the ball and also possesses a good shot off both his right and left boots too. Jenkinson is also a intelligent player and this makes for good competition for Sagna. He has been a surprise star performer for the Gunners.

With the sudden rush of games at club and international level, Diaby’s frailty has once again been exposed, as he has been sidelined for three weeks with a thigh strain. Compatriot Coquelin, who shone like a gem at right-back last season, has twice stepped up to the plate and he is one to keep an eye on. He is a fine player with good ball distribution sense, grit and tenacity for a midfielder.

I wonder what happens to Wenger’s midfield when the treatment room becomes empty?

For Mannone, who should have gone on loan before having the chance to deputize for his senior colleagues who have varying injuries, it has been a huge step up for the young Italian who has done so well in tending the Arsenal goal.

When you consider the players out injured and are near returning, you begin to imagine the quality and depth of Wenger’s side this term which you couldn’t have easily pointed out in past seasons.

Jack Wilshere, Tomas Rosicky, Sagna, Emmanuel Frimpong are all back in training, and the skill, flair, precision and trickery of the first two mentioned will definitely make the midfield, already consisting of Carzola, Diaby and Arteta, a delight to watch.

With all these, one can say our season is going to be one packed with surprises, as the ingredients are there for them to stun the footballsphere. But with Arsenal you never can tell what will happen.

Will Arsenal have a similar disappointing season like the past seven?

Will they go ahead and have a Chelsea-like season, faltering in the Premier League and doing well in cup competitions as some have suggested?

Or will they go ahead and claim a title that has eluded them for so long?

All these are questions begging to be answered.

With West Ham to come, one cannot forget their favour in 2006, stopping Tottenham on the final day to hand us the European ticket. However, the mission on the day is to seize all three points and continue with our ‘surprise story’ unfolding in this season.

#COYG!!!

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