We know that it's very rare for any player (espcially ones playing abroad) to perform at the requeired level as soon as they first come into the side (i.e. Henry, Pires, Ljungberg, etc). But I'm really worried about just what we have to expect from the new players. 1. Mertersaker - Looks horribly slow and not at all like a leader. He doesn't speak much English apprently but at 26 yrs old we need to expect he perform now. Plus he's fighting for his place in the Germany team for next years Euros. 2. Santos - He's not a left back based on the Blackburn game, he was winger come striker most of the game often caught out of position (4th goal). He's 28 and played in Europe for many years so despite being Brazialian he needs to be far more disciplined 3. Arteta - Should be preforming straight away, he's been in the Premier League for several years now....yet he looks off the pace! Everton fans suggested he's not the same player after the injury...so why did we sign him? I'm concerned about how much of an impact he'll actually make? 4. Gervinho - Of all the new signings I have the most faith in him to perform where we need him to. He's direct and had obvious skill, but needs to be a bit more of a team player 5. Benayoun - Another with bags of PL experience, I think he'll be a useful squad player 6. Park - Who knows? His goal record in France was average at best 7. Chambelain - Really impressed with his U21 performances...that doesn't translate to being a good PL player but I think he can't do any worse than Arshavin 8. Jenkinson - Looks well out of his depth!
Be careful. I made a post almost identical to this one and I got abuse (from mas2204, Grizzly, goonercymraeg, superjackwilshire, cheetahyz, Murray, AdHominista, Nolhman 2.0 etc) for not being a real fan and called a pr.ick etc. Obviously I agree with everything you wrote. This is EXACTLY what I think about the new signings. In short this summer was a disaster. Just warning you that you will probably get some abuse.
our defending was woeful yesterday. We were like the keystone cops mentally ******ed siblings. It's hard to praise mertesacker (who is too slow for the PL) and Santos (who appears better as a winger) when they played so badly. I don't understand why Park wasn't in the squad, Arteta seems a decent signing, Gervinho being selfish cost us a couple of chances at scoring, and Benayoun should be played a bit more.
Anyone remember Vidic not being that great for the first 6 months when he moved to the prem? Give Mertesacker a chance for gods sake, its hard enough to adapt anyway without the defence you are playing in going AWOL all the time. I also think Arteta and Gervinho have made excellent starts to their arsenal careers.
