Word of warning: I do not have to have the tactical knowledge of a primary school coach, let alone Wenger to fully appreciate or realize all the things Arteta does in the team. I just watch us play and will try to write on the limited things I see.
They don’t get it, do they?
Arteta is Arsenal’s deepest lying midfielder. Arteta is not a temporary solution or a patch up job. In fact, a temporary solution would be the player who plays in that position when Arteta is injured/rotated.
Looking back at our season now, I now notice that our midfield was in particular rarely overrun. Sure, there was the phase when the whole team played with fear and we were dominated. However, I am struggling to think of instances where the midfield two in front of the defense was the weak link.
You notice good attacking play by the buzzing of purposeful activity – the movement, triangles and passes. I am starting to think that the opposite is true for good defense. I think that a good defense is one that quietly and efficiently nullifies threats and brings last ditch defending to a minimum. An over worked defense making clearances, last ditch tackles and the goalkeeper making save after save is the one you notice.
Arteta was a vital piece of our usually quiet and efficient defense last season. If I think of Song in that position two seasons ago, I can picture the numerous times our defense was attacked after the opposition overran our midfield. Usually Arteta would be the one in our box, desperately defending. Now, Song was a good player, certainly much better than the then flavour of the month Scott Parker. Arteta is however much better in the role. That is why I think Song was sold without a fight.
I believe that even if you find yourself in something as physical as a street fight, you improve your chances if you are alert, think on your feet, are aware of your surroundings and look for effective ways to incapacitate your opponent. That is what Arteta is to the team. He is a thinking fighter. He is not the guy rushing at you predictably with his arm raised. He is not the midfield tank that fells the opposing player. He is the guy who cuts off available channels for the opponent. He is the guy who steals the ball. The guy who turns attack into defense. As an attacker, he can pick a pass, hit a sweet free-kick and is the first person you would ask to take the penalty.
I think it was Poznaninmypants who said that Arteta is an extension of Wenger on the field. There is even a video on his blog showing them animatedly discussing football (It is possible the discussion is about Gervinho’s hair). They are at it for quite a while. I agree with Poznan and I think it is a big plus for Arsenal that we have a leader on the pitch who is on the same wavelength as our manager.
Wishing one of the best deep lying midfielders all the best for the new season and hoping he gets called up to play for Spain sometime in the coming year.
by Sensational Arsenal
Positively Arsenal 
arteta is experienced professional. arteta knows what is needed to do when playing at midfield. arteta is serious and aware. good teacher for jack. arteta is no drogba though…and if/when we need him to score winning penalty with pressure at 4.6million tor …i dont know….
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moyes new bid for cesc …ahahaha..well well well….all them softies huh…wanted by all them feeder clubs…apshueewww….ahhhh.. gesundheit
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Lovely appraisal of Mikel, Sensational Arsenal. Thanks.
He may become a great manager one day.
He also has truly incredible hair. Like a thick, svelte black carpet. You forgot to mention that. If Rooney were to join Arsenal, he would be dead jealous of that barnet, which could cause friction in the squad. I bet Arsene hasn’t even thought of that. Mark my words. A recipe for disaster.
I think this heat and interminable transfer window is getting to me worse than ever before.
Nurse, more pills, if you please.
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what are your opinions on the love affair mou + english media…ever seen anything cheessier? ever?….
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the special one..the daddy..the godfather….the wanker who needs 300million to win stuff and still play with 11 goalkeepers muaha…
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hey george ..have you picked on any news or articles or radio tv shows grilling the ambitious city for finishing their season trophyless? no? ..me neither….
smile…
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Its horrible Hunter,He is so undeserving of respect too.
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Not many people out and about.
I love Arteta btw
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yes but if he is so unlikeable to 90% of people ( llike the whole of spain italy and even most in portugal) how come they love him here so much..i would have thought people of his ilk ( sly manipulative dirty immoral unshaved wankbag narcissists) wouldnt be appreciated here..how times have changed….
so yeah..lets trash arsene who is here 16 years proving to all what football science is about and lets hail the wanker who needs 300m budgets and 11 goalkeepers to win a trophy….brilliant
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Panic buy my Arsenal.
–
In my humble and insignificant opinion Arteta ended the season in better form then Sergio ‘Zero Gee’ Busquets* and Alonso. But I’m glad he didn’t play in the Confederation Cup. I keep telling Arsene that the useless Marquis doesn’t want to listen to all the Arsenal fans out there, but he ignores me too. What can you do?
*Even Song should have been suitably gutted to not get in ahead of Busquets when the falling footballer was playing so poorly, but then what did Song expect when he moved. The plonker. They didn’t even experiment with old Serge at CB and Song ahead which seemed the obvious option given their troubles at the time (this management lark is well easy innit). Hleb Mark II. What a waste.
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Nice work!
I completely agree with this blog. Arteta is the brain of our team. An astute operator on the pitch who gives everything every week.
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Like a moth to a flame, I read somewhere today that MA stats were better than CF’s last season. To me he is the consummate professional and leader.
My favorite player for what it’s worth.
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In my opinion Arteta is our single most valuable player in the team and the only one I thought irreplaceable. Thankfully, Ramsey has proven me wrong in that regard, but nevertheless I am still happy that Mikel is one of ours and can not only provide our youngsters with valuable experience (something I think the first tranche of Project Youth missed after Gilberto departed) but also be a leader on the pitch. It’s just such a shame that he is so very underrated. I don’t think that Carrick, for example, has been playing much better than Arteta, and he certainly hasn’t been as consistent as our Spaniard if you look beyond just one season.
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Arteta is massively underrated but that’s how I like my Arsenal players. Nobody comes after them that way.
It was pretty amusing to see an article praising the influence of Michael Carrick which only served to show Arteta’s superiority, as he ranked higher in all the stat categories they selected to highlight Carrick’s qualities. Here it is:
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/why-did-the-sun-praise-man-uniteds-carrick-when-their-graphic-showed-arsenals-arteta-is-best/
Ramsey couldn’t be learning from, or basing his game on, a better player than Mikel.
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Excellent professional footballer , credit to the game, credit to the club – good piece
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Arteta is the man, what do we know though hey?
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Nice article SA; MA was always my stand out favourite player at Everton over several years and one I was delighted to see finally captured by our club. His gesture in allowing young Ryo to take today’s penalty oozed of class and kindness in equal measure. Hopefully he’ll be with us for a few good seasons yet.
Going slightly off-message, I can’t see a better wise old head for Zalalem to look up to for guidance; the ultimate in the coming together of today’s and tomorrow’s masters of the game.
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if we are playing double pivots I prefer art to be slightly advanced of the two, he still moves the ball well this way but wont put pressure on defensive players that cant pass as well as him. I think its better when Ramsey picks the ball of the back four because he only gives it back to them if absolutely necessary and then goes to collect the ball back. Arteta is the thinking mans footballer and will go on to coach and probably manage.
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At the risk of sounding affected, I bloody love Arteta. Also…what LeoS said.
I hope he stays with us for a long time.
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Nice write up SA. I think he is the perfect fit along side the bustle and energy of Ramsey.
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Nice write up SA, could not agree more. Arteta and Ramsey, great tandem.
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Bloody hell Miami boards the sunshine bus!
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Got to love Arteta. Professional, experienced, intelligent, strong-minded–a leader and my choice for captain for over a year. He and Cazorla are essential and the first names on the sheet. Nice appreciation of a very fine, if unglamorous, player.
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I’m in full agreement, Arteta was my fav player@ everton & I was fully stoked when we signed him, class player class post thanks.
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SENSATIONAL ARSENAL
excellent praise for a player I had coveted for two years before ARSENAL purchased him. I agree with those commenting on MA’s unmistakable abilities as an attacking midfielder. We should have brought him over before his major injury suffered while playing for Everton. I care not what others insinuations that he was a panic buy . The same thing they say regarding the SACKER & MONREAL in addition to a few others. Don’t these folks realize that these players were being watched and appraised all along. Just because you never expected it does not make the purchase a paniced one. He might not make it to the Spanish national team due to his age now but I do hope he does. He is a thinking man’s footballer.
The first year he came to us some were nominating him as captain of the team. I was opposed as I thought it didn’t bid well for our club to player fresh from Everton to become our captain. I never doubted his abilities though and since he has some years with us now I can’t see any other player that is worthier playing in that position and wearing the armband. Hope to see him achieve his dream of playing for his country also as well as leading us to glory….
HUNTER
agree with you 100% regarding mourenwhore. And he is everything the media wish for. Exactly what they want and therefore the love affair. Despicable…
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FINSBURY
I get so sad everytime I Think about HELB and now SONG. I wish they had been more mature and made a right choices.
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MIAMI
welcome home mate.. Keep on fighting for the ARSENAL WAY. and against those who who wish to purchase their way to our next trophy and at the expense of some really nice talent coming up through the youth ranks and the academy.
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I guess big GUSS HIDNIK is headed Barka way now . Not looking forward to that one.
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Love that through pass by GIDEON TO THEO for our third.
Theo needs to get more clinical with his chances.
And OG?
what’s there to say. Our Old Gangsta is on full throttle.
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Thanks everyone. Appreciate it.
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Goonerkam
Nothing to be sad about. Song’s departure allowed us to appreciate The Prince’s quality even more. His charms with the refs. With the opposition. He isn’t a Prince for nothing.
It also possibly allowed us to see Ramsey complete a recovery of sorts. If he was going to make it all the way back then two years seemed a reasonable guess at the time required. The lad has some gr*t.
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Well composed.
One thing I would disagree is that, we were overrun in the defensive midfield during the last season (especially before the unbeaten run) plenty of times. Chelsea away (first half) springs to mind.
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Yes Mj,But he cant do it all on his own,the rest of the team let him down and it was usually when Jack played that we were over run.
Its a team game,
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We were never over run because Mikel was not doing his part properly.
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Mikel is an under-stated player no doubt; it’s all about poise, on the ball, and being where you need to be, off the ball. Wonderful player.
I still wonder which of the younger stars might begin to make an impact at first team level. From what one reads and gleans and guesses, both Serge and Eisfeld are beginning to venture closer to first team, realistically a season away from contention; Ryo, when fit, and Campbell may be first team fringe players this coming season alongside Sanogo, Frimps too if fit, as well as Ignasi and maybe Yennaris too, maybe Coq; Zelalem and Hector Bellerin are making waves but very young at this stage. Wellington? Mugabo has just become a Rwandan international and that will help him.
I hazard a complete guess that the youth and younger bits of Arsenal is looking about as exciting as it ever has and 3 or 4 or 5 of the 12 players above, and a few others I don’t even know much about, will start to put pressure on the seniors.
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And might we bring Djourou back from loan with TV out for a spell?
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I dont think bringing him back is an option Paul.Its a contact like any other
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Sunshine bus 🙂
Nice, harry. I appreciate a good article, SA accomplished that yesterday with a great piece about a quiet stalwart of the Arsenal team that is an ever present, doing his work without pomp or flash.
In truth, when Ramsey impressing on tour and Arteta one of the first names on the team sheet, where does Wilshere fit in to the group? Cazorla has to play due to his ability to create and score, so does he move left to accommodate Wilshere in the AMC role or does Podolski continue to hold the left? Many decisions to be made, and these without any new additions to be added to the equation upon their arrival.
Again, great write up SA.
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George, I agree that it wasn’t Mikel Arteta’s fault that we were often undermanned and overrun in midfield, particularly during the middle part of the season. The balance just wasn’t right with Wilshere, Cazorla, Arteta. JW just coming back from injury and sometimes playing further forward that perhaps he ought to right now. But what was lacking was some physicality. Arteta doesn’t offer that and sometimes in our league it is needed, so although I’ve always maintained he could play as our most defensively oriented and deepest midfielder, I think that isn’t where he should be playing all the time. He has good skills setting up play and can shoot from distance. And against some of the thuggish physical teams we need some force to match and help him out. As he is getting older, I would like to see if there is some midfield reinforcing we could do. Ramsey is coming along and I’m very encouraged by that.
I would be delighted to see a player like Gustavo come to Arsenal: 25, Brazilian international, outstanding in Europe with Bayern before being displaced by Martinez, and very versatile–was developed as a LB originally (no Vermaelen or Monreale due to injury so backup needed for Gibbs–who does get the odd knock or pull) and played as CB frequently for Bayern when not as DM (Vermaelen and Kos out right now). He would be able to play alongside Arteta who could move a little forward more for those great shots from outside the box.
Let’s see if you get anyone else to bite on your sly comment there about Jack. I don’t entirely disagree, as you know, that despite being thrilled with the player, because he does have something to learn from experienced players around him and to develop. Someone mentioned the other day that he doesn’t seem to be any more two-footed than earlier in his career–something that would really help him if we could work on that.
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Re Jack:
SsssssshhhhhhhhHHHH!
(I’ve been reading poznan in my pants)
He’s rubbish (So is Zelalem). Compared to say a matured and gr*tty Scotty Parker, there is no comparison.
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I don’t think the midfield was ever overun we were conceding due to our play being broke down and then not recovering, midfield trackers etc. This was not just jw but one of the prime culprits was santi, although his stats look good he was losing the ball in key areas from which we couldn’t recover. This was resolved when he went wide and Ramsey was used as the double pivot. This made the whole team more stable and allowed santi to roam and cause even more damage.
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Ramsey is the definition of a true box to box midfielder, able to act defensively whilst still being able to add continuity to forays in to the attacking third. Little of surprise then that once we was played in best position (centrally) he took flight. The preseason seems to have merely been a continuation of the form demonstrated in the closing stages of the EPL run in.
As good as all the players have appeared on tour, it takes nothing away from the needs in adding depth. We may all argue the names, but recruits to add some additional quality are a must not a like to have.
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I dont know why you think it was “sly” LG,its was as in your face as possible.
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Nothing sly in George’s comments. We have been a better team with Arteta and Ramsey at the base as opposed to Arteta and Jack, that’s a fact. This doesn’t mean that I doubt Jack’s talent, but at the moment, he is not first-choice in our midfield. And anyway, I envision him making the position further forward his own, but again, he has two players ahead of himself for that particular spot in the team. And I write that knowing fully well how quickly young players can develop. Wouldn’t surprise me if Jack becomes indispensable to our team this term, especially if he manages to stay fit, but at this point in time on merit of past performances, he is not first choice. I think I even proved it on the other blog why Jack and Arteta didn’t work so well together. Basically, the gist of it was: Arteta and Song shared the defensive work nicely, both putting a shift in, same with Arteta and Ramsey, but Jack’s defensive numbers just aren’t up to scratch (fair to say, he does contribute more offensively than Aaron, but I feel with the way we play, with full backs pushing up, occasional mazy runs by a CB and so on, it’s more important for our double-pivot to stay disciplined)
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Limey,
You won’t have found someone who appreciated what Song brought to the partay more then me.
Arteta, the poor mans Scotty Parker, The Prince, was the best D**Mer in the league last season. And the cheating Mancs managed to swindle their way to a title with Carrick, Cleverly (who is loads better then Wilshere nudge nudge wink wink) and not much else. What could we add to the midfield mix? Perhaps some stability? That will help with this old team building marlarky. As for the rest, that is in the hands of the injury gods and the blessed Agents. I look forward to the journey.
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@Fins
I heard Sp*rs want to get rid of Scotty P. Really, can’t understand why that would be. I still have to laugh that some years ago people wanted us to get Scotty Parker, when he was worse than the youngsters we had for that particular position in the team (Song and Denilson both obviously much better than the headless chicken)
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Hello Miami! Great to see you – don’t be a stranger!
Limestone – what are you playing at, encouraging PG to be even more in your face than he already is?!
*tsk*
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Mikel Arteta’s signing, for the amount we paid for him, was an absolute coup.
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I agree with that, George, Although, I believe that *cliche* the team would be much better defensively balanced with a pure DM (someone mentioned Gustavo). This is not a criticism of Aaron as well, may be he could play a back up to Mikel.
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Two BBC headlines in the past few days: “Man Utd make 30 million bid for Fabregas”, “Arsenal fail with 40 million bid for Suarez”. Didnt manchester united fail in their bid too? Atleast you know that the sun and daily mail and their ilk are straight up assholes. It is the subtle asshole-ness of the BBC that is more dangerous.
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