from the go id like to apologize for not posting for a few weeks. It been all go a chez Leverett, with festivals and what not. Basically I wrote 2 separate pieces but I've chosen to hold fire on them-for now....
onwards and upwards....
m
so it took total annihilation of his team for the manager to wake up and smell the coffee. With the absence of Wilshere, Song and Frimpong, Arsenals threadbare side were dismantled with ease, overrunning the midfield as only united can do best. Not exactly aiding the situation was the lamentable Johann Djourou who seems to be sliding back to his old ways.
Not 24 hours after this total humilaition, Arsene was right into the market....
Enter Santos. 28. Brazilian international, most recently playing ahead of Real's Marcelo at the Copa America this summer. Wenger's penchant for Brazilians is no secret, but this guy has real flair. Something Arsenal have sorely missed since the days of Sylvinho, and this guy has more than a touch of him about his play. All too often have had quick full backs that cant defend; this guy can and not only create and open play up, but can cross and deliver with aplomb. For £6.2m from Fenerbahce, it could prove to be a great piece of business...
Onto, in my opinion, the big signing (literally). Standing at 6'6' and exemplifying raw, German efficiency and power is Per Mertesacker. Arsene Wenger has been following the progress of the German at Werder Bremen for the past 2 years, and after deals for Cahill and Jagielka were deemed too expensive, Wenger has swooped for a proven, successful international, at half the price.
At just 26, and an international career spanning 7 years and 75 caps already, Mertesacker is a stalwart of the modern german game, paired with Arne Friedrich in central defence, his perfomances have progressed Germany to world cup semi-finals.
Further more Per claims to be a life long Arsenal fan, visiting his aunt in England to watch Premier League games. So he will not lack heart and fight. Something Arsenal need in abundance at this tricky time.
Curious one this. Park Chu Young or 'Ju' as he prefers to me known was a classic out-of-the-blue Wenger signing. As I have previously blogged, Park had been an unofficial Lille player for going on a month, but the i's and t's hadn't been dotted. He had completed one part of his medical with the French champions, but then suddenly a call came from the Arsenal manager, and Park jumped at the chance. Well who wouldn't?
.......
Anyway. He was soon on a train to Colney to complete said medical and become an Arsenal player. Some reports claim his deal is up to £10m so as to pay off his national service for South Korea, which he is expected to participate, in 2013. Park will be an interesting acquisition, hopefully giving Arshavin a real wake call and replacing the oft ineffectual Niklas Bendtner, who has seemingly ruled out a return. I really hope he gets a good run in the first team, because I really think he could become a cult hero, in the vein of Eboue.
though hopefully he can actually play football......
Another deadline day arrival was Yossi Benayoun on loan from Chelsea. He never really got a chance to shine for the blues, after having a great run of form for Liverpool. For me if Benayoun is on his game is very unique player. He is hard to read, and hard to deal with when he gets on run. Hopefully with a seeming dearth of real ruthlessness in the current team, Yossi can add an element of surprise to Arsenal's far too predictable game...
Quickly mentioned Alex Oxlaide Chamberlain, who was signed for £12m potentially rising to 15. That is an awful lot of money for a kid essentially. We shall have to see how he progresses.
Finally, I want to touch on the Arrival of Mikel Arteta. I am still of two minds; on the one hand Arteta, since his emergence as one of the finest midfielders in England during his time at Everton, and arguably only just behind Cesc Fabregas in terms of assists, goals and all round team performance. on the other, a guy who lets face it, has had in share of injuries, particularly thigh and hamstring troubles and many have said could be past his best.
There is no doubt that Mikel will play for the shirt; He doesnt do sulking or non performances and is a thorough professional. I have often thought that is ever Cesc departed, he would be as close to a Fabregas clone as humanly possibly; Same stature, build, appearance, postition. He even resembles him to a degree.
I would love for him to be a brilliant signing. I never thought I'd see Arteta in an Arsenal shirt. And with Wilshere (when he comes back), I see Arteta as the perfect mentor for Englands brightest midfield star.
Only time will tell.....
I will be doing a final extensive transfer round up in my next post. And boy is there much to cover....
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