Absolutely brilliant signing. It still makes me wonder why so many people were asking for a new DM in the summer, and I'm happy that most have probably seen that Song was such a major issue in our midfield.
Everton only paid £2 million for him! But yeh, I agree with everything. What a player, and a gent too. You just know he's a nice guy off the field.
I don't think that we will be become over-reliant on arteta, we do have players to come back and the new signings have added extra quality to the team. Cazorla is able to find space so well and is on a level with the players at barcelona in terms of awareness and technical ability, and he is practically two-footed. Oxo keeps growing with every game and not players like ramsey and walcott will have to up their performance if they are going to get in the team. But yes arteta has been invaluable for us in his time here and in arsene we most certainly do trust. Obviously the defense has been praised for our performances so far this season and for me mertesacker has played exceptionally well, with his lack of pace his positioning is so important and it has been spot on so far, and kos is back and sagna will return soon.
Arteta was one of only two midfielders I've heard Wenger waxing lyrical about ove rthe years, the other being Alonso. Arteta was never a panic buy despite what some think, he was injured the previous season and that made AW question whether he'd come back the same players, Moyes knew as he gave Micky an improved 5 year contract, he had been scouted by Arsenal for years. I think the fact Arteta wasn't bought 2/3/4 years ago is probably down to Wengers stubbornness thinking that the likes of Denilson would make the grade, when the opportunity arose he finally got the chequebook out - but it took Cesc and Nasri to leave for us to sign him. I love the guy, what I also love is that his style of playing means he could still be at his peak in 4/5 years time and with Jack and Santi we have plenty of reason for optimism...
Sorry Piskie I meant to add midfielders but forgot to type it ! And yes, if talking about the squad improvements overal Podolski gives us plenty....
Arteta's quality is no surprise to me. The trilogy at Everton was him Cahill and fellani. I predicted him and Cazorla to be a hit and so far they have not disappointed. Exciting times at Arsenal. Oh and Podolski is looking super dangerous in front of goal every game. All we need is a goal from giroud against Montpelier and we will be firing on all cylinders.
I think Podolski and Cazorla give us an edge we've not had since Fabregas and Nasri, they are turning out to be very much the archetypal Wenger type of players
