Mikel Arteta Thread

[Cripps_orig]

What part of Spain is he from?

Does he have Cunt DNA?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Basque. So no, nothing to do with Catalunya, in terms of where he was born.

Might've been at Barcelona B though.

[gunnerrrrr]

No association with that supurb cunt club, however once he shines with us in the Champs league i believe they will be in with a £5m bid

[Ironing]

Hated him when he tried to grab Gallas' face/eyes during a tackle

Gallas is a knob though, so welcome Mikel

I remember you being pretty good 2 seasons ago

[Niall_Quinn]

I suppose the hang-up was over a 4 year deal - that takes him to 33, and we'll get what - 2 years max out of him? Very odd deal for Wenger.

[KESSLER]

He takes a decent set piece too :scarf:

[Fats]

Trainee at Barca

[Marc Overmars]

http://z13.invisionfree.com/goonersweb/index.php?showtopic=36677&st=45

[GP]

http://z13.invisionfree.com/goonersweb/index.php?showtopic=36677&st=45

Andaluz/Myles Palmer :haha:

[Alex Song Belongs]

http://z13.invisionfree.com/goonersweb/index.php?showtopic=36677&st=45

I miss the old layout...

[Master Splinter]

Welcome.

To the treatment table.

[Penguin]

Is he injury prone?

I think this is a good signing. He's at the age where it's his one last chance at a big club and at winning things, he's got tons of PL experience, he's got a blend of talent and grit. He should bring fresh enthusiasm to this downbeat squad.

His set pieces are awesome too.

[Gubby Allen]

Odd feeling this signing: He's not shit, I've heard of him, not playing in a French league & he's old enough to shave. Ok, he's injured a lot & was quite cheap, but 4 out of the usual 6, is not to be grumbled at.

[Champagne Charlie]

Personally I've always quite liked him as a player and I think he'll do well with us. We should have bought him 2 or 3 years ago of course, but it's better late than never!

[KSE Comedy Club]

Apparantly he's also taken a pay cut to join us from 75k a week to 55k a week.

Fair play tbh.

[Champagne Charlie]

Apparantly he's also taken a pay cut to join us from 75k a week to 55k a week.

Fair play tbh.

Yeah I heard that too, fair play to the guy. Quite refreshing to see a player move for footballing reasons rather than financial.

[gunsofashburtongrove]

He was better than Cesc for couple of seasons, but isn't getting younger or better. Played for much of last season and was consistent if not brilliant. Should start in a midfield of Wilshire and Song with Wilshire playing in the advanced position.

[Marc Overmars]

I think he will be good for us, he has played in a team known for being robust and effective, and managed by a manager who doesn't tolerate anything less than 100%. He knows you need to earn your right to play in this league. If he can stay clear of injuries I think he can surprise us all.

Of course he's no Cesc but then not many are. He deserves a chance anyway, he's been around long enough.

[LDG]

Someone who likes to get in the box: Check
Someone who can spot a pass: Check
Premier League experience: Check
Lesbian: No
DNA: No

Nothing wrong with this signing at all. Quality player.

[Joker]

If we had signed him alongside a top quality player, it would have been a good bit of business. However, given the only other midfielder we've signed is Benayoun, it's an underwhelming signing.

[LDG]

If we had signed him alongside a top quality player, it would have been a good bit of business. However, given the only other midfielder we've signed is Benayoun, it's an underwhelming signing.

But then again, he will be playing with Wilshire, Song, Diaby, Arshavin, Walcott, Ramsay etc etc. Don't care waht anyone says...they're still very good players on their day.

[Letters]

Apparantly he's also taken a pay cut to join us from 75k a week to 55k a week.

Fair play tbh.

How will his family eat? :o

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Presmably Arteta will be training this week with the club. Good time for our medical team to work their magic on him. :good:

[milla]

Great addition to our treatment room. :doh:

[4-3-3]

I suppose the hang-up was over a 4 year deal - that takes him to 33, and we'll get what - 2 years max out of him? Very odd deal for Wenger.

scholes played well til he was 35, and how old is lampard, 34,?..still gd player..i think arteta is more of lampard than scholes.i think he will play on til 33. so i am happy for him.

[Fats]

Just like to say welcome to Mrs Arteta


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leRG1C3mWz0

[isv]

jack has tweeted that he was the hardest midfielder he faced last season, and is glad he will never face him again.. good enough for jack, good enough for me...

[Cripps_orig]

Wayne Rooneys son has Arteta on the back of his Everton kit :pal:

[Cripps_orig]

Just like to say welcome to Mrs Arteta


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leRG1C3mWz0

Ive had better tbh

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Ive had better tbh

Photoshoots?

[Özim]

He's an excellent player, shame he's not a long term signing as realistically he's 29 and thus will only have a few years. If he was 26 this would have been a fanstastic signing as he could have been part of a long term plan for success...as it is hopefully should do very well.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

If we had signed him alongside a top quality player, it would have been a good bit of business. However, given the only other midfielder we've signed is Benayoun, it's an underwhelming signing.

But he will ne next to a top quality midfielder jack wilshere yossi will be a sub anyway.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Im glad we got him, tbh, he's no cesc but will give us the creativiy we need and it would be good to have exprience in the middle of the park. At least rambo won't be starting games any thank feck.

[Niall_Quinn]

Ramsey will be fine provided we don't expect him to be the controlling influence in the midfield, it's unreasonable to expect that of him at his age. People can go on about other 20 years olds being great but I'll bet they all had great players around them and weren't trying to hold together the sort of shite we saw out on the pitch last Sunday. Ramsey improved massively in the Udinese game once Rosicky relieved him of a bit of responsibility.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Marquee signing NO, I think we were looking to smash our transfer record and were disappointed when we didnt because it showed Wenger wasnt serious
But Aretas signing is a very good signing, he has been putting up comparable assist numbers to that of Cesc and Nas and knows how to score. . . .things also wont have to go through him as much and I can see him supplying the wide boys who have been upgraded with the arrival of Gerbil (sadly no Hazard) Oxo and Miya will be given time to improve. The team will hopefully have more balance and we will see a major mark up of the crap that went out on Sunday, Yossi's arrival too will make some think their place is by no means a cert, which Arshavin shouldnt anymore. . .M'Vila was the hope but Song gets a chance and Frimpong proved that he xan play. . . .just needs to leave the bad boy attitude to his tweetwr posts

[Cripps_orig]

MIKEL ARTETA has stunned Arsenal fans by admitting his best days are behind him.

The Spaniard was Arsene Wenger's standout purchase on deadline day as he secured a £10million move from Everton.

But the midfielder, who turns 30 next year, revealed time is fast running out for him.

He said: "There is always a start and an end and today is the end of probably the best time of my career.

"I am 29 years old so I haven't got much time left to take a chance like this one. I think I have done my best for Everton.

"It is very difficult to say goodbye. I still can't believe it but at the same time I think it is the right moment for everyone.

"It has been crazy. I can't believe what happened, and the way it happened but as I said, that is part of football and I am going to be playing for another club soon.

"Obviously I am never going to forget what I have done here and what the people and this club have done for me."

Arteta revealed the lure of Champions League football played its part in the move.

He said: "It is a big opportunity for me and my family and I think it is the right time for me to take it.

"It is a big challenge, a different challenge, fresh for me and I want to see myself on the biggest stage, the Champions League.

"I always try hard, I have been as professional as I could and I was grateful for the support and the love that the club and the fans showed me."


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3788178/Arsenal-new-boy-Mikel-Arteta-reveals-his-best-days-are-behind-him.html

How many on here are stunned?

[IBK]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3788178/Arsenal-new-boy-Mikel-Arteta-reveals-his-best-days-are-behind-him.html

How many on here are stunned?

I don't read it that way at all - I see it more as him saying that he had a great time at Everton, not that his best days are behind him in terms of ability. Stupid headline.

[Cripps_orig]

I don't read it that way at all - I see it more as him saying that he had a great time at Everton, not that his best days are behind him in terms of ability. Stupid headline.

Oh i agree with you

[Cripps_orig]

Hes got the number 8

Whats Benayoun got?

[Kaiser]

30.

[Cripps_orig]

This was talked about a couple of years back but can Arteta still play for England?

He hasnt played for Spain and lived here for 5 years+

[Niall_Quinn]

30.

That's his triage ticket number. Doubt he'll need a shirt number.

[toothless gibbon]

This was talked about a couple of years back but can Arteta still play for England?

He hasnt played for Spain and lived here for 5 years+

He is eligible for a British passport but not for England because he would have needed to have held a British passport at the time when he represented Spain at U16 level.

[Marc Overmars]

He can play for England but it will never happen. Can you imagine the little Englanders kicking up a fuss?

'Arry: I fink dat players should be English, eez a triffic player but it's not right you know.

[Joker]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3788178/Arsenal-new-boy-Mikel-Arteta-reveals-his-best-days-are-behind-him.html

How many on here are stunned?

:lol: Typical Sun garbage. Nowhere in that article does he say his best days are behind him. Talk about gutter journalism.

[hymppi]

always wanted him to be a gunner.
(and that cunt cahill too, true grit player...)

so, welcome arteta. i will personally escort you to the glue factory if you can't stay fit.

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal signing Mikel Arteta has said his exit from Everton was in the best interests of his former club as well as himself.

The Spaniard was a key player for the Toffees, and he believes the club's perilous financial condition meant they could not refuse Arsenal's last-minute offer for his services on deadline day.

Arteta insists that chairman Bill Kenwright was looking to safeguard the future of the club even though he did not want to sell the popular midfielder.

He told Sky Sports News: "I know the chairman, he didn't want to sell anyone, he was devastated for me to leave, but I think they had to [let me go]. They don't want a situation in two years' time where the club is in bits. I know he is trying to get the club in the best position it can.

"I don't want them [the fans] to blame the chairman or the manager, it was the best option for everyone for the situation they are in at the moment.

"They've got an unbelievable dressing room, a great manager, they always find some way to get up the table. I'm sure he can do the same again.

"I have given everything for Everton, I have always tried my best and I made my decision [in] the best [interests] of the club. I'd like to thank the fans for their support."

The former Rangers man said he was now looking forward to the new challenge of Champions League football but did not comment on comparisons to Cesc Fabregas, the man he is charged with replacing in the Gunners' midfield.

He added: "I thought it was the right moment for me. I want to play Champions League football, the club were in a situation to sell me, it's a good for everyone. I thought it was time to move on and I haven't left for any more money.

"I know Arsenal's philosophy, their passing style, and it's the type I like to play.

"I'm going there to help the team, to make things better, Fabregas has been one of the best players in the league, I just want to start showing my ability."

As for his international hopes with Spain, for whom he has never been capped at senior level, Arteta was coy, stating that he needed to concentrate on domestic duties first and foremost.

"I've been really close," he continued.

"It's always a dream to play for them. I just want to do my job first and hope they will come along."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/09/02/2647522/mikel-arteta-says-his-move-to-arsenal-was-necessary-to-save

[fari]

deep down i know he wants a cap. i mean who wouldn't now that spain is playing some unbelievable football. more incentive for him to play his very best for us.

[AKBapologist]

@Henderson_91: All the ressies just come in from training absolutely BUZZIN off Arteta... Said he was unreal! Can't wait to see him play now! #AFC

[Niall_Quinn]

@Henderson_91: All the ressies just come in from training absolutely BUZZIN off Arteta... Said he was unreal! Can't wait to see him play now! #AFC

The chances of them saying he's shit would be fairly low though.

[LDG]

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/mikel-arteta-picture-special

:bow:

[Marc Overmars]

What a man. :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Shame he looks like a slightly older and slightly less greasy Cuntregas.

[Niall_Quinn]

What a man. :bow:

So just to confirm, you favourite comedy is Friends?

[GP]

So just to confirm, you favourite comedy is Friends?
Friends is pretty awesome tbh.

[GP]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/355x498/sep_11/zp_123996642SM002_Mikel_Arteta_9213.jpg?ic=099e17T

What a beautiful man :loveblush:

[hobson's choice]

What's the odd on when he's gonna pick up an injury

[Cripps_orig]

What's the odd on when he's gonna pick up an injury

Il be optimistic and say Arsenal v Swansea match

[milla]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/355x498/sep_11/zp_123996642SM002_Mikel_Arteta_9213.jpg?ic=099e17T

What a beautiful man :loveblush:

http://cdn.hometheaterforum.com/d/db/db10cfbf_chang-gay.gif

[GP]

http://cdn.hometheaterforum.com/d/db/db10cfbf_chang-gay.gif

:gp:

[fakeyank]

http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/355x498/sep_11/zp_123996642SM002_Mikel_Arteta_9213.jpg?ic=099e17T

What a beautiful man :loveblush:

He looks like an Indian

[Master Splinter]

He looks like an Indian

Thank fuck he doesn't play like one though.

[GP]

Thank fuck he doesn't play like one though.

:gp:

Brown people :haha:

[GP]

He looks like an Indian

I said beautiful, not smelly.

[milla]

I said beautiful, not smelly.

He was saying Indian in general not Cripps :coffee:

[fakeyank]

I said beautiful, not smelly.

I said 'looks' = vision

Smell not = vision

Dumb white people :pal:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_mkwB9ayK4

[Cripps_orig]

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta has revealed he signed with the London club without ever undergoing a medical.

The Spaniard joined from Everton late on deadline day, meaning there was not time for proper procedural checks, with the player telling the Gunners that if any medical problem was found after he signed he would take personally be responsible for it.


"It was very stressful. At 6pm, they said everything had broken down. Then, at 8:30pm, everything started again," he told The Mirror.

"But there wasn't time to have a medical. I went to the offices of the club [Everton] and from there I told Arsenal to trust me and that if some medical problem was found it would be my responsibility."

Arteta has undergone stomach and knee surgeries in recent seasons, but his main hope this term is not only to stay healthy, but to help the Gunners get back to winning ways after a poor start.

"It's obvious that the club is having a phase of one or two months of difficulties and there have been a lot of people disappointed," he said.

"But we'll come out of this. We'll compete for everything. It's down to us to give the fans reasons to get back to being excited."

The 29-year-old also addressed comparisons between him and the player he was brought in to replace, Cesc Fabregas.

"I am not here to replace Cesc. If I try to do that, it will turn out badly," Arteta said.

"I've been here for three weeks and he was here seven years.

"I have a personality which is definitely different to his. I would be making a mistake if I was trying to be the same or even better than him.

"I have to find my own way. My own style. Cesc was the best player of Arsenal and one of the three best players in the Premier League.

"My aim is only to try to give my maximum level as a player and help the team as much as I can."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/06/2699544/mikel-arteta-reveals-he-did-not-undergo-medical-before

Wenger doesnt really give a fuck about players health does he?

No wonder we have so many injuries

[Ollie the Optimist]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/10/06/2699544/mikel-arteta-reveals-he-did-not-undergo-medical-before

Wenger doesnt really give a fuck about players health does he?

No wonder we have so many injuries

so you would rather we didnt sign him then? you rather wenger insisted on the medical for him, meaning to late to sign him and leaving us with no midfielder?

[Cripps_orig]

Id rather Wenger bought someone in June instead of panic buying cos he got his arse handed to him by the Mancs.

[GunnerFan4Life]

Arteta is not our ball carrier. We need a Cesc, Mata, Silva style playmaker. Arteta just doesn't have it in him. Maybe if Wilshere was playing then Arteta would look better but Ramsey clearly isn't ready and AW really has screwed us over in this transfer window.

[Marc Overmars]

Arteta needs to man up and start playing some forward balls with intent.

At the moment he's doing the same job as Denilson.

[Boss]

Should have been a replacement for Rosicky/Arshavin, not Fabregas/Nasri.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Should have been a replacement for Rosicky/Arshavin, not Fabregas/Nasri.

He is isnt he?
still havent and no doubt wont replace Cesc, Nas

[Kano]

Id rather Wenger bought someone in June instead of panic buying cos he got his arse handed to him by the Mancs.

it wasnt panic buying by the looks of it

“It was agreed between me and Chelsea to wait until the last day so see if they bring in another player. I knew I had a few offers and when Arsenal came it was an easy choice.”

[Cripps_orig]

Mikel Arteta has played a key role in Arsenal’s recent resurgence, according to manager Arsene Wenger.

Arteta has improved steadily for the Gunners since arriving from Everton for around £10 million on transfer deadline day, and on Saturday capped an impressive performance with the third and final goal in a 3-0 win over West Brom.

Wenger revealed he is pleased with the speed at which his summer signing has adapted to a new style of play, and believes the Spaniard’s ball retention skills have become an important asset to the team in the absence of the injured Jack Wilshere.

"He is an important player for our team," the Frenchman told the club's official website. "He is really a player between Song and Ramsey or Rosicky and that gives us continuity.

"When we need to keep the ball he can achieve that - Jack [Wilshere] can do that as well. But with Jack missing he is a player who can keep the ball when it is needed.

"He is adapting to our game. If you look at the stats in the Premier League, Arsenal are the team who play the least balls backwards.

"That means when you have the ball it is not only a question of decision-making, it's a question of opportunity. It's about how many players you have in front of you - if you have players behind you have to play it backwards."

Despite being in good form Arteta is unlikely to get a call-up to the Spanish national team, but Wenger believes this is more a result of the country’s wealth of talent than any failing on his player’s part.

"In a different way he is like [Ryan] Giggs," he added.

"He had the bad luck to play for Wales who never went to a big tournament. Arteta was born in Spain where they have plenty of midfielders who are absolutely outstanding.

"What maybe didn't help him is that he was very young and he did not move to clubs who were maybe as glamorous as they should have been.

"At the time he went very young to PSG when they were not going very well. After he moved to Rangers to try and convince Spanish managers he deserved a place in the team and then to Everton.

"It shows what I always say - 90 per cent of a player's career is the club. It's the club who makes the career of the players.

“If he was English he would have an international career here."


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/11/07/2746405/arsene-wenger-mikel-arteta-has-become-an-important-player

Has he? Wheneverive seen him, hes been Denilsonesque

[Ollie the Optimist]

wenger means that he keeps the ball when under pressure, delievers good passes, really helps out the defence and makes good tackles to help us. and yes he has done that, you wouldnt know that as you only watch highlights

[GP]

He's been excellent.

[Cripps_orig]

wenger means that he keeps the ball when under pressure, delievers good passes, really helps out the defence and makes good tackles to help us. and yes he has done that, you wouldnt know that as you only watch highlights

Must be recently cos he was a bit shit throughout september and most of October

[Master Splinter]

He's been excellent defensively in most games, but put in his first all-round excellent display against West Brom.

:gp:

[Syn]

He's been excellent defensively in most games, but put in his first all-round excellent display against West Brom. That said, Benayoun or Rosicky should be starting ahead of him.

:gp:

[Marc Overmars]

I think his input attacking wise has been minimal but he's very disciplined at what he does, and I do think he provides bit of solidarity in midfield. I guess that was drilled into him at Everton.

Maybe it's not worth expecting him to attempt more ambitious passes, given it's actually Ramsey who looks like being the direct replacement for Cesc, although I believe he should make way for Wilshere when he's back.

I prefer the idea of Song and Arteta doing the donkey work, going unoticed in games, whilst Ramsey/Wilshere do their own thing.

During the Cesc days, I always felt the midfield was lopsided towards the attack, and that was both a strength and a weakness to our game. Now we have a basis more suited to the Prem IMO, although possibly not for the CL as the goals haven't exactly been flowing in Europe.

[GP]

Arteta is consistently excellent at what he does. He's technically superb, but more importantly, he's extremely disciplined. He's obviously being asked to play as the deepest midfielder, and with the pace we've got out wide now, we finally look balanced.

Long may it continue.

[Master Splinter]

:gp:

<_<

Benyanoon or Rosicky should start ahead of him if we're playing some fodder.

Can't wait for Wilshere - Song - Ramsey. Twill be awesome tbh.

[Syn]

Can't wait for Wilshere - Song - Ramsey. Twill be awesome tbh.

It will be phenomenal as long as Wilshere doesn't come back broken. It took Ramsey a while to get back to his pre-injury path...a similar story with Wilshere would be a fucking disaster. Apparently he's back in a couple of months though and his lay-off wasn't anywhere near as long as Ramsey or Eduardo's so he should be able to pick up where he left off.

[Master Splinter]

If Sir Jack comes back a broken man/player, I will cry.

And send death threats to that Samosa guy who GHELlled him.

[Marc Overmars]

Sir Jack is a filthy GHEL, not some foreign pansy like Eduardo.

Of course he will slot back in like he's never been away.

[Master Splinter]

Yeah but GHELs don't get these ever-extending injuries either.

[-Xs-]

So it all depends on how much his ghel can battle his Arsenalitis

[Fist of Lehmann]

I think the midfield triumvirate has really started to gel, there seems to be better balance, with any of the 3 capable of interchange, to go forward, or track back.

A midfield three of Fabregas and 2 others had more star quality, more vision but I think we have something here that could work, in a different way, better defensively and maybe more adaptable.

Post injury Arteta's lost some of his pace, but GP is spot on.

Technical, hard-working, disciplined, smart, level-headed with a great attitude (he took a pay cut - unusual enough in a professional footballer ostensibly moving upward) - just what we needed to steady the ship.

Glad we signed this guy now.

[Niall_Quinn]

Glad we signed this guy now.

Yep

[Coney]

Glad we signed this guy now.


Yep

Ditto. It was never fancy names we needed, it was graft, staying power and experience to give the squad more backbone.

[Dog Toffee]

"In a different way he is like [Ryan] Giggs," he added.

"He had the bad luck to play for Wales

... class backhanded compliment.

[Master Splinter]

Wenger - Arteta has made us more solid

Mikel Arteta has been a key factor in Arsenal's ever-increasing solidity, according to Arsène Wenger.

The Spanish midfielder was a deadline-day signing from Everton in August and has slotted into the role vacated by Jack Wilshere after the England international underwent ankle surgery.

Arteta has contributed goals and assists to the Arsenal cause and Wenger believes his all-round game has helped lay the foundations for an unbeaten run that now stretches to nine games in all competitions.

"Mikel is an extremely important player in our team because he has both sides that make a team good," Wenger told Arsenal Player.

"He is consistent going forward, technically fantastic and he works very hard for the team. He is an organiser too and does the job defensively in vital parts. We look solid at the moment and he has to take a big part of the credit because he does both jobs offensively and defensively - with quality.

"I am very happy with his defensive job and he is rewarded for it because he plays. If I play him it is because I am happy with the job he does and if he had not done such a consistent job defensively he would not be in the team.

"I believe that Mikel Arteta is a winner and on the pitch he does what is needed to help the team win. That's what I rate."


http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/wenger-arteta-has-made-us-more-solid

Arteta :bow:.

Maybe we should move any Arteta discussion here?

[Coney]

Maybe we should move any Arteta discussion here?

Never going to happen. This is the Mikel Arteta thread and this is GW, so the thread can only drift off to be about something else.

[Flavs]

Mikel is an extremely important player in our team because he has both sides that make a team good. He is consistent going forward, technically fantastic and he works very hard for the team. He is an organiser too and does the job defensively in vital parts. We look solid at the moment and he has to take a big part of the credit because he does both jobs offensively and defensively - with quality.

I've spoken about him before, I know, but I've been really impressed with Arteta's influence on the team and the consistency of his performances. He's not flashy, he's had to curb a more natural instinct to get forward – something he did at Everton because he was probably the most creative player in that team – and he has added such calmness and composure to the midfield as well as positional intelligence.

There was one moment in the second half against Dortmund when it looked initially as if Song had been left to mark two players as they came into our half. As it happened Song won the ball back but Arteta had dropped back, in front of the back four to cover and provide a defensive option had they managed to work the ball back inside. And it's things like that which go unnoticed but which have played a big part in our increased defensive solidity. A canny signing and one I wish Arsene had made two seasons ago. Better late than never though.

[Coney]

I've spoken about him before, I know, but I've been really impressed with Arteta's influence on the team and the consistency of his performances. He's not flashy, he's had to curb a more natural instinct to get forward – something he did at Everton because he was probably the most creative player in that team – and he has added such calmness and composure to the midfield as well as positional intelligence.

There was one moment in the second half against Dortmund when it looked initially as if Song had been left to mark two players as they came into our half. As it happened Song won the ball back but Arteta had dropped back, in front of the back four to cover and provide a defensive option had they managed to work the ball back inside. And it's things like that which go unnoticed but which have played a big part in our increased defensive solidity. A canny signing and one I wish Arsene had made two seasons ago. Better late than never though.

:gp:

Good defensive play by midfielders - good DMs - are often overlooked because they aren't as obvious as scoring goals at one end or goal line clearances at the other. But when that goes missing, an otherwise good side looks rubbish. The guys standing just in front of the back four are a crucial part of the defence.

[Marc Overmars]

Arteta is a GHEL and knows the score with this league.

At first I did expect a Cesc lite, but then I realised Rambo does that job and Arteta is actually a new entity for our midfield. A tireless and disciplined worker.

We will see the value of Arteta when a chump like Diaby plays.

[Power n Glory]

I bloody well hope so because if we're still defensively solid but manage to get our attacking flow and possession game back without him in the team, then I can't see what the fuss is all about.

[Niall_Quinn]

Chamakh is an AWFUL player.

[Joker]

What does this guy offer us? Another anonymous performance from him. At the end of August we had people claiming that Arteta was a great signing, and that he'd provide the creative void left by Cesc's departure. But the same individuals have now adapted their argument, claiming he's doing a good defensive job and that's what this team needed. He's flattered to deceive, and we're going to regret signing him in the Summer rather than a better quality player.

[Xhaka Can’t]

What does this guy offer us? Another anonymous performance from him. At the end of August we had people claiming that Arteta was a great signing, and that he'd provide the creative void left by Cesc's departure. But the same individuals have now adapted their argument, claiming he's doing a good defensive job and that's what this team needed. He's flattered to deceive, and we're going to regret signing him in the Summer rather than a better quality player.

I suppose you can't yap about Van Persie anymore.

You're such a negative - do you drain people in real life as well.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

What does this guy offer us? Another anonymous performance from him. At the end of August we had people claiming that Arteta was a great signing, and that he'd provide the creative void left by Cesc's departure. But the same individuals have now adapted their argument, claiming he's doing a good defensive job and that's what this team needed. He's flattered to deceive, and we're going to regret signing him in the Summer rather than a better quality player.

No one not even wenger has ever said that about him. People have said he is not cesc replacement etc.

[GP]

It's funny how Joker is wrong about everything.

He's the new Zimm.

[Master Splinter]

At the end of August we had people claiming that Arteta was a great signing, and that he'd provide the creative void left by Cesc's departure.

Making stuff up to suit your argument.

The 76th sign of madness.

[GP]

Making stuff up to suit your argument.

The 76th sign of madness.

It's classic ZD.

[Master Splinter]

It's classic ZD.

ZD?

[GP]

ZD?

Zimm Disease

[Cripps_orig]

What does this guy offer us? Another anonymous performance from him. At the end of August we had people claiming that Arteta was a great signing, and that he'd provide the creative void left by Cesc's departure. But the same individuals have now adapted their argument, claiming he's doing a good defensive job and that's what this team needed. He's flattered to deceive, and we're going to regret signing him in the Summer rather than a better quality player.Pretty much

Hes a stop gap player hopefully til we get Goetze or Hazard both of whom are younger and already better than Arteta ever has been.

Arteta is a glorified Denilson. Nothing more. Does the same thing the Brazillian does but he gets praised for it on here and Denilson was vilified.

Thats GW for you i guess.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Zimm Disease

It is running pretty rampant here.

[Joker]

Pretty much

Hes a stop gap player hopefully til we get Goetze or Hazard both of whom are younger and already better than Arteta ever has been.

Arteta is a glorified Denilson. Nothing more. Does the same thing the Brazillian does but he gets praised for it on here and Denilson was vilified.

Thats GW for you i guess.

The Denilson comparison is pertinent, because I also don't see him doing anything more than Denilson did during matches. What makes Arteta's work any more productive than Denilson's?

And if I do suffer from "Zimm disease" then all the better IMO. Zimm had the foresight to spot our decline all the way back in 2006, when I still believed in Wenger's "project".

[Ollie the Optimist]

The Denilson comparison is pertinent, because I also don't see him doing anything more than Denilson did during matches. What makes Arteta's work any more productive than Denilson's?

And if I do suffer from "Zimm disease" then all the better IMO. Zimm had the foresight to spot our decline all the way back in 2006, when I still believed in Wenger's "project".

yeah but you also told the world that RVP was teh worst striker you had ever seen at Arsenal and we should have sold him. looked fucking stupid when you said that and you do now.

you aand ach are the same. never admit when you are wrong and always want to moan

[Olivier's xmas twist]

The Denilson comparison is pertinent, because I also don't see him doing anything more than Denilson did during matches. What makes Arteta's work any more productive than Denilson's?


He's alot less Lazy for a start, gives more effort and has better concentration

[gunsofashburtongrove]

The Denilson comparison is pertinent, because I also don't see him doing anything more than Denilson did during matches. What makes Arteta's work any more productive than Denilson's?

And if I do suffer from "Zimm disease" then all the better IMO. Zimm had the foresight to spot our decline all the way back in 2006, when I still believed in Wenger's "project".
His intelligence and speed at opting for passes is very good as opposed to Denilson, being more physical and using technique to retain possession under challenge and spreading out play etc. For me its a very tricky position that he plays in. Only Wilshere has played anywhere nearly as good in that position. He's been integral to possession play, defense and counter attacking.

[Power n Glory]

Too slow, not mobile enough and too defensive.

If we keep playing him we'll have to play someone like Rosicky or Arshavin as an attacking midfielder. The balance of that midfield is off. The current combo is too slow and not mobile enough. We were playing at a snails pace against Fulham but they seemed happy to let us play at that pace. Against Dortmund, we saw how easy it was to pick us off and we struggled to get the ball out of our own half. The signs were there against Norwich as well.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Too slow, not mobile enough and too defensive.

If we keep playing him we'll have to play someone like Rosicky or Arshavin as an attacking midfielder. The balance of that midfield is off. The current combo is too slow and not mobile enough. We were playing at a snails pace against Fulham but they seemed happy to let us play at that pace. Against Dortmund, we saw how easy it was to pick us off and we struggled to get the ball out of our own half. The signs were there against Norwich as well.

we are now moaning someone is too defensive? jesus. scoring goals recently has not been a problem, our defence has been superb. i suggest that him being too defensive is a good thing.

[Power n Glory]

we are now moaning someone is too defensive? jesus. scoring goals recently has not been a problem, our defence has been superb. i suggest that him being too defensive is a good thing.

RVP is the only player scoring. That's a worry.

We can come back to this topic later because as usual, people will only start looking at this sort of thing when results start going pear shaped. It's not moaning Ollie, it's an observation and such snipes are really annoying. Why not try to figure out why Fulham were able to stifle our play and why we struggled in the first half against Dortmund instead of moaning about other posters 'moaning'. We're looking more solid on defence but we will have a serious problem on our hands if RVP's goals start to dry up.

And be truthful, nobody thought we were signing a defensive midfielder when they heard we had signed Arteta.

[Ollie the Optimist]

RVP is the only player scoring. That's a worry.

We can come back to this topic later because as usual, people will only start looking at this sort of thing when results start going pear shaped. It's not moaning Ollie, it's an observation and such snipes are really annoying. Why not try to figure out why Fulham were able to stifle our play and why we struggled in the first half against Dortmund instead of moaning about other posters 'moaning'. We're looking more solid on defence but we will have a serious problem on our hands if RVP's goals start to dry up.

And be truthful, nobody thought we were signing a defensive midfielder when they heard we had signed Arteta.

rvp might be the one scoring goals, but the team is setting them up. how good is theos crossing recently, songs run against dortmund, his pass to rvp v norwich. he is the one finishing them. the team is just setting them up. not a worry atm for me.

when we signed arteta, i wasnt expecting a cesc replacement, i thought he was more creative then he has been but we have jack and ramsey for that. he is grafting away, being discplined and protecting the defence. we need a player like that, we have one. so far so good

[Power n Glory]

rvp might be the one scoring goals, but the team is setting them up. how good is theos crossing recently, songs run against dortmund, his pass to rvp v norwich. he is the one finishing them. the team is just setting them up. not a worry atm for me.

when we signed arteta, i wasnt expecting a cesc replacement, i thought he was more creative then he has been but we have jack and ramsey for that. he is grafting away, being discplined and protecting the defence. we need a player like that, we have one. so far so good

Speaking of which, Song has more assists than Arteta. 5 assists for Song and 1 for Arteta. Good for Song, but we need more from Arteta. If Song can manage it, so should he. It doesn't have to be either or.

We're not passing the ball around as well as we usually do. That's a worry for me. Against better teams it could be a problem. A few pundits have said the same thing and I agree with them for once. We'll see how it pans out but it's an area we must improve on.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Speaking of which, Song has more assists than Arteta. 5 assists for Song and 1 for Arteta. Good for Song, but we need more from Arteta. If Song can manage it, so should he. It doesn't have to be either or.

We're not passing the ball around as well as we usually do. That's a worry for me. Against better teams it could be a problem. A few pundits have said the same thing and I agree with them for once. We'll see how it pans out but it's an area we must improve on.

but you could argue the reason song has more assists is that he knows he can go forward and arteta will cover him and do a good job thus allowing him forward to create safe in the knowledge that arteta will be discplined and break up any counters.
quite glad we arent trying to play our tipp tappy beautiful passing game, last few years it hasnt worked, didnt work begining of season and we changed. we are now unbeaten in 7 games in a row, dropping just two points (if i am right, think its something like that) which shows its working. saturday didnt because palyers were rested and the team lost something. partly cos fat fuck does fuck all so we are down to ten men

[LDG]

but you could argue the reason song has more assists is that he knows he can go forward and arteta will cover him and do a good job thus allowing him forward to create safe in the knowledge that arteta will be discplined and break up any counters.
quite glad we arent trying to play our tipp tappy beautiful passing game, last few years it hasnt worked, didnt work begining of season and we changed. we are now unbeaten in 7 games in a row, dropping just two points (if i am right, think its something like that) which shows its working. saturday didnt because palyers were rested and the team lost something. partly cos fat fuck does fuck all so we are down to ten men

Fuck me. You're talking sense.

[Power n Glory]

but you could argue the reason song has more assists is that he knows he can go forward and arteta will cover him and do a good job thus allowing him forward to create safe in the knowledge that arteta will be discplined and break up any counters.
quite glad we arent trying to play our tipp tappy beautiful passing game, last few years it hasnt worked, didnt work begining of season and we changed. we are now unbeaten in 7 games in a row, dropping just two points (if i am right, think its something like that) which shows its working. saturday didnt because palyers were rested and the team lost something. partly cos fat fuck does fuck all so we are down to ten men

You could but around this time last season Song was going forwards as getting goals as well. That's when he was paired with Wilshere. Also, it's totally unfair to blame Arshavin for the draw. Against Dortmund we were struggling as well but it took Song's run and cross to flip the tie. I don't think we're purposely going out there to avoid playing tippy tappy football. We just can't do it. We were still trying to play it short against Fulham and it's not as if we saw many direct passes or people attempting to go long and spread it wide. It was the same coming short intricate passing style but it wasn't working. Our defenders were still playing it short and looking to work the ball through the middle.

[Ollie the Optimist]

You could but around this time last season Song was going forwards as getting goals as well. That's when he was paired with Wilshere. Also, it's totally unfair to blame Arshavin for the draw. Against Dortmund we were struggling as well but it took Song's run and cross to flip the tie. I don't think we're purposely going out there to avoid playing tippy tappy football. We just can't do it. We were still trying to play it short against Fulham and it's not as if we saw many direct passes or people attempting to go long and spread it wide. It was the same coming short intricate passing style but it wasn't working. Our defenders were still playing it short and looking to work the ball through the middle.

on the fat fuck point - its not unfair to blame him though i am not blaming him 100% for the draw. the guy does nothing, doesnt track back, doesnt fight to win the ball back. doesnt beat his man. look at the differecne between him and gervinho, as soon as gerv came on he was getting behind the defence, getting balls into the box, also stregthens the left side as he defends as well

wilshere though also last season covered a lot at the back, if song went forward he dropped back a bit like arteta does and if jack went forward song held off.
with the dortmund game, yes we were struggling at the start but i could be wrong here, they didnt have many clear cut chances, just lots of shots out of the box. when the going gets tough, the team now just goes into defend mode and weathers the storm. they stop the tippy tappy and just try to get it out, calm down and get settled. they did that, and yes it took a moment of song magic to open hte scoring but who gives a shit. united do it, play shit and then something magic happens and they score.
yes the defenders are playing it short when no one is on them but whats the point of booting it upfield if its jsut going to head it back, sometimes the short game is better. it didnt work on saturday for the first time but it has so far in our recent run. the balance is right imo, just keep it going

[Power n Glory]

Arshavin was tracking and covering for that game. That wasn't his worst performance. He's not suited on the left wing IMO.
He hasn't got the lungs to be playing down the flanks and we should stop forcing it. Gervinho is a typical winger. He's the type of greedy bastard you used to play football with as a kid that would never pass. He'a a dribbler and they don't call him Gervinho for nothing. The best thing about him is his ability to dribble. That's not the case for Arshavin. He has a lot more to his game and shouldn't be out on the wings. His passing and shooting ability outweigh is dribbling skills. He should be playing behind a striker.

I don't think we're there yet. Ramsey and Arteta aren't fully comfortable yet but hopefully they get better. At least they've established their roles in the team. But our passsing game hasn't been abandoned. It's the result of the Ramsey and Arteta combo. Neither are that good at retaining possession. Bring in Wilshere and you'll see a difference. Play Wilshere alongside Diaby or Rosicky and you'll see a difference. The way we play is determined by certain combinations and I don't think Wenger has abounded his possession play philosophy. It's similar to when Wenger used to play Denilson and Diaby in the middle. It effected our style of play and we struggled to create chances but looke more solid defensively. I think we're seeing a similar thing here but we have wingers that attack the flanks and RVP fully fit and scoring.

[IBK]

Fuck me. You're talking sense.

I agree :faint:

[Fist of Lehmann]

Against Dortmund we were struggling as well but it took Song's run and cross to flip the tie.And who won the ball back in midfield in the lead up to the first tie-flipping goal?

The same guy who won the corner, then took the corner, in the lead up to our tie-sealing 2nd goal?

Bingo.

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Andy offers us very little stuck out on the wing, that we have been saying for some while, the same was being said about Theo but he had started to look a little more effective of late.

Gervinho has come in and besides the need to work on hos finishing has brought a different, more direct approach to our attack. Left wing is his place and its where he should be.

Which leaves what to dp about Andy. . .unless we change the formation or sacrifice a CM we are not going to see him in his natural environment, which is a shame as he has the talent to win games bit not on the wing, not with an iota of consistency anyhow!
which only means he will continue to put in poor grade performances, enticing the wrath of the fans and suffering as a result. . .deserved? Hard to say!

[Syn]

I don't know JSAO, sometimes I think it's easy to overcomplicate it - when it comes down to it, whenever he's on the ball he keeps wasting it and without the ball we're playing with 10 men. He might prefer to play in the middle where he is able to see more of the ball more easily, but I think we get the ball out to gervinho plenty - because gervinho works hard to get involved in the game. This is what I had against nasri, and even fabregas at times. There are some players that recognise as the more experienced members of the team, they have to step up and want the ball. They'll be running into space and make themselves open. Arshavin simply doesn't do that which I think is unforgivable for a player of his ability.

[KSE Comedy Club]

Arteta is a glorified Denilson. Nothing more. Does the same thing the Brazillian does but he gets praised for it on here and Denilson was vilified.


:lol: your shitting me, right?

Funny Ach :bow:

[LDG]

Arteta :bow:

[GP]

He's been superb. So disciplined in the middle. He's the reason we don't look so fragile any more.

[Joker]

Better performance from him today. Was sharper in possession and seemed to move the ball quicker.

[LDG]

He's been superb. So disciplined in the middle. He's the reason we don't look so fragile any more.

Yup. Super Signing by Venger.

Boy knows the rewards of hard work.

[Cripps_orig]

Has Mikel Arteta lived up to expectations since his deadline day switch to Arsenal?

With the midfielder set to face his old club Everton, we sought the views of Nigel Winterburn, an ardent supporter and our Spain edition's editor to assess his impact at the club


As Mikel Arteta made the journey south on deadline day, his signature was acquired by Arsenal amongst a flurry of last-minute transfer activity, with an 8-2 slaughtering at the hands of Manchester United finally rousing the Gunners to remedy the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

Whilst the names of Europe’s finest prospects had been touted for north London throughout the summer, the Spaniard's arrival from Everton was greeted with more sigh of relief than gasp of joy. He was seen as a capable but temporary solution to ease the transition at Arsenal by some, whilst others noted a crafty signing of a player who had already exhibited such class with the ball at Goodison Park.

The 29-year-old will not return to his former stomping ground until March, having taken a pay-cut in order to leave the club after six years in favour of Champions League football. Instead, Arteta welcomes his ex-team-mates to the Emirates on Saturday as the hosts look to climb back into the Premier League top four, a turnaround that was seemingly unthinkable back on August 31.

Goal.com canvassed three different views to assess the impact his move to the Emirates has had on his career and the Gunners' fortunes.

THE VIEW FROM THE CLUB LEGEND

“I think it was a bit of a problem for him early on in that everyone was desperate to compare Arteta to Cesc Fabregas, which was unfair,” Nigel Winterburn, who spent 13 years at Arsenal, told Goal.com.

“They are both Spanish and very good ball-players, but they perform different roles.

“I've been really impressed with Arteta, particularly in the last month. He's played a really important role in this great run, controlling the tempo of games and picking out accurate passes.

“He's the kind of player someone like Robin van Persie will really enjoy playing alongside because he will know that the ball is coming and it will be put just where he wants it.”

The 47-year-old won the Premier League and FA Cup double with Arsenal in 1998, and with the Gunners' trophy drought set to enter a seventh year, the former West Ham man believes Arteta can play a key role as they look to contend for major honours again, particularly in the absence of Jack Wilshere.

“I would like to see him improve his shooting from around the edge of the box as he's got the ability to score plenty of goals in this team.

“He's more dynamic than people give him credit for. He's another one of those Spanish players who are technically excellent in position and make opponents work so hard to get the ball back.

“With Jack Wilshere injured, he's been the senior midfielder and I think he's shown he's a very good character to have in the squad. I don't know him personally but he seems a proper professional who has got that experience and provides leadership by example.”

THE VIEW FROM THE TERRACE

David Oudôt, an Arsenal fan and contributor to the Online Gooner fanzine, believes Arteta’s role is to feed the creativity of Theo Walcott and Aaron Ramsey, suggesting the Welshman and fellow midfielder Wilshere are set to fill the void left by Nasri and Fabregas instead of the former Real Sociedad man.

“He is a different type of player than Nasri and Fabregas,” said David.

“When the ball arrives at his feet he does not play the killer ball to Van Persie, but he holds it up, looks around, and then frees Ramsey or Walcott into space.

“Arteta is simple and brilliant, a decent tackler, quick passer, and a man you would be missing in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

“When Wilshere returns after Christmas and is allowed to become our masterful midfield commander, he will improve further. Wilshere and Ramsey being the players to replace Nasri and Fabregas is not a ridiculous claim.

“Considering last year, the excellent player Wilshere was in that role, and whilst he filled it greatly, Arteta can player there and allow Wilshere to take on Fabregas’ position. It’s exciting.”

Whilst boss Arsene Wenger had been linked with moves for Borussia Dortmund’s Mario Gotze and Lyon’s Yoann Gourcuff, David admits that Arteta’s arrival came as surprise, and after initially being sceptical of the quality of the Spaniard, he believes the player is proving successful.

“On August 31, Arsenal were desperate for a midfield player, and the tabloids had us linked with Mario Gotze, Yoann Gourcuff and the like to fill the holes.

“Mikel Arteta was a genuine surprise. On his arrival from Everton, it immediately presented the Arsenal fans with hope, although I was sceptical.

“Everton fans didn’t seem as if they were bothered about him leaving, but soon it was time to realise he was the type of player Wenger had wanted in midfield and so far Arteta’s role at Arsenal is proving successful.”

THE VIEW FROM SPAIN

Goal.com Spain's chief editor Sergio Aguilera suggests that whilst Arteta’s previously limited opportunities to perform on the European stage with Everton have hampered his chances of breaking into the Spanish national set-up (the ex-Barcelona B man yet to be capped by his country), if he is able to take his chance to impress with Arsenal in the Champions League, then he will soon win the plaudits of his fellow countrymen.
“The case of Mikel Arteta has always been an oddity in Spanish Football,” he said. “As opposed to compatriots such as Juan Mata or Fernando Torres, Arteta was never very popular in Spain before leaving.

“Mata, Torres, Silva were stars in Spain before wearing the shirt of a Premier League squad. Not Arteta.

“His experience in Barcelona B, first, and in Real Sociedad, later, were not successful enough to make him a favourite among Spanish fans. Not even during his brief period in the team of his home city, Real Sociedad, in which Arteta failed to prove his quality, playing just 15 matches and scoring only a goal.

“In addition to this, the fact that he signed for, and started succeeding, in a team such as Everton, who do not have as many fans in Spain as other teams like Manchester United or Chelsea or Liverpool, kept him in the shadows.

“Spanish fans would hear about the achievements of other Spanish players, but little attention was posed to the great performances of this midfielder born in San Sebastian.

“Unfortunately for him, during some time, he would appear on Spanish TV more for his relationship with model and former Miss Spain Lorena Bernal than by his quality on the field.

“The main evidence of the odd case of Arteta is the fact that he was never capped to play for the national team, not even in the cases when other arguably worse players were called to wear the national shirt.

“Arteta's signing by Arsenal is a big step for him in terms of raising his status in Spain. His actions with the Gunners now will definitively have more repercussions that his previous experiences and if he continues playing at a high level, he will win the favours of the Spanish fans, just like other players did.

“Cesc Fabregas did it. So can Arteta.”


http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/12/09/2794468/has-mikel-arteta-lived-up-to-expectations-since-his-deadline-day-

Arteta :bow:

[Master Splinter]

Arteta :bow:.

Most handsome Spanish player at Arsenal ever.

After Miquel.

[GP]

Arteta :bow:.

Most handsome Spanish player at Arsenal ever.

After Miquel.

Reyes was pretty fit, tbh

[Master Splinter]

Reyes broke my heart though.

:upset:

[GP]

He broke my butt.


lol

[milla]

He broke my butt.


lol


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXw6znXPfy4

[GP]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXw6znXPfy4


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xECUrlnXCqk

[Xhaka Can’t]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qU_ak7yZG6Q

[Japan Shaking All Over]

Looking forward to seeing go up against his old club today. . .

[GunnerFan4Life]

Opta Sports @OptaJoe (https://twitter.com/#!/OptaJoe)3 hrs (https://twitter.com/#!/OptaJoe/status/146586936692314112)

3 - Mins per chance created Arteta 35 Mata 24 Silva 28, from open play Arteta 50 Mata 32 Silva 30.


:bow:

[McNamara That Ghost...]

All Spanish. What a shocker.

[dazthegooner]

I know shocking :rolleyes:

[Master Splinter]

Not bad for the new Denilson.

[Cripps_orig]

Not bad for the new Denilson.Glorified Denilson not new

[Master Splinter]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/8994777/Arsenals-Spanish-midfielder-Miguel-Arteta-considered-playing-for-England.html

Miguel Arteta :haha:.

Telegraph :doh:.

(They'll probably have corrected it soon).

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Mikel Arteta (http://www.goal.com/en/people/spain/10530/mikel-arteta) has admitted that it will be "tough" for Arsenal (http://www.goal.com/en/teams/england/94/arsenal) to break into the top four of the Premier League (http://www.goal.com/en/news/2896/premier-league) following their 0-0 draw with Bolton Wanderers (http://www.goal.com/en/teams/england/100/bolton-wanderers).The result at the Reebok Stadium left the Gunners (http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2012/02/02/2881860/mikel-arteta-concedes-it-will-be-tough-for-arsenal-to-finish#) in seventh place, five points adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea, as they remain without a league victory in 2012.

Arteta acknowledged that more consistency is required if Arsene Wenger's team are to secure qualification for next season's Champions League.

"It is going to be tough to finish in the top four but it depends on us," Arteta told the club's official website.

"We have got the talent and the quality in the side to do it but we have to show it day by day. I am confident because we train together every day and I know how good we are but we have to show it every day, not every two or three weeks."

The Spaniard also added that Arsenal, who hit the woodwork on a number of occasions at the Reebok Stadium, must take their chances and also pay attention to the finer details of games.

"It is more about details to score and make the game much easier for us," he said. "It depends on small details.

"We had the chances to score and we didn't. You are not going to get 15 chances to win a football game (http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2012/02/02/2881860/mikel-arteta-concedes-it-will-be-tough-for-arsenal-to-finish#) and nowadays when you get it, especially away from home, you have to take it.

"I am sure that Chelsea will start a good run and we have to do the same and win games like we did a month ago. But I am still positive - there are still a lot of games to play and hopefully we can get that done."

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2012/02/02/2881860/mikel-arteta-concedes-it-will-be-tough-for-arsenal-to-finish

At least someone is talking sense tbh

[Cripps_orig]

Mikel Arteta insists he is happy to curb his attacking instincts for the good of the team – and has no desire to be Arsenal’s ‘main man’.

The Spanish midfielder has been an influential figure in the Gunners midfield this season, yet has seen the likes of Robin van Persie and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain grab the headlines.

While Arteta admits he likes to get forward, he understands that at times his defensive responsibilities must take priority.

“I watch the game from behind [the attackers] and I know that when we become too open we leave many spaces and concede goals,” he told Arsenal Player.

“I just try to balance the team a little bit. Sometimes I would like to go forward more, but I’ve still had chances and the goal [against Blackburn] was my sixth this year, which isn’t bad.

“I don't want to be the main man; we all know who the main man is and that’s Robin. He is the leader, he is the one who makes a real difference.

“The most important thing is the team, and once the team is doing well the highlights will come for the rest [of the players] because we are playing well. Everyone is part of a machine and we are all just trying to make the machine work as well as we can.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arteta-i-don-t-want-to-be-the-main-man-

He admits hes been a shit offensively then

[Marc Overmars]

He's not an attacking mid therefore shouldn't be judged on that anyway.

[Power n Glory]

He's not playing as an attacking midfield player but he should be playing that role instead of Ramsey. That kid should be dropped, let Song and Coquelin play behind Arteta and see what happens. Plugging gaps and making up the numbers is neccessary, but it's another square peg in a round hole.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

He's not playing as an attacking midfield player but he should be playing that role instead of Ramsey. That kid should be dropped, let Song and Coquelin play behind Arteta and see what happens. Plugging gaps and making up the numbers is neccessary, but it's another square peg in a round hole.

Your not suggestion playing a player out of posistion, surley not ?

[selassie]

I pretty much see him as a stop gap. I think he'll have a squaddie type role when Jack comes back. Don't get me wrong he's done OK, but I don't see him as a long term option.

[Master Splinter]

Mikel Arteta's 80.8 pass per game average in context: he's 4th behind Xavi (105.7), Alonso (83.5) and Pirlo (81.2). Class.

Arteta :bow:.

And we've been pretty shit this season too.

[alexander]

Arteta :bow:.

And we've been pretty shit this season too.

there aint been nothing pretty about our shit this year.

[GP]

there aint been nothing pretty about our shit this year.

My dog ate a load of christmas decorations and has been passing glitter ever since. That's some pretty shit.

[Cripps_orig]

MIKEL ARTETA says his decision to leave Everton and join Arsenal has been proven right because he is loving life with the Gunners.
The Spanish midfielder joined Arsenal last summer after a 6½-year stint with the Toffees.His deadline day switch for £10million on August deadline day was harshly labelled as boss Arsene Wenger making a panic-buy.However, the 29-year-old has slotted into the club's midfield and helped inspire them to a 5-2 victory over Spurs on Sunday.That win lifted Arsenal back into fourth place over Chelsea and with Carling Cup winners Liverpool up this weekend, Arteta is hoping the club can continue their run.He said: "From what people said about Arsenal when I was at Everton, I'm really surprised because there is a really good group of players who get on with each other really well."Expectations at Arsenal are really high because we have the potential to be at the top."But when you have expectations it is always good, whether it's personal or as a club. And when you don't do it, you get frustrated."That's football, you're going to get frustrated many times but it's about how many times you can get up and lift your head and fight again."Arteta also believes he has become a better player since working with Wenger and reckons criticism of the Arsenal boss for their inconsistent season is unfair.

The Spaniard added: "He gave me the chance to join this club and I am very pleased and happy with what he's done with me."He has been talking to me and the group and has been very positive."You can criticise someone but you can also find ways to defend someone and say we have not done this or spent as much as the others. It is very difficult."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4160406/Mikel-Arteta-Arsenal-move-proved-right.html

H (http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4160406/Mikel-Arteta-Arsenal-move-proved-right.html)as it been proved right? Hes been a bit average if truth be said

[Letters]

Right for who, us or him? :shrug:

Arguably right for him, he's played CL football (if only for one season although we are, bafflingly, in 4th so he might get to do so next year). For us...well, in the circumstances he was a decent signing. Not the world class player we needed to replace Cesc and/or Nasri but as deadline day panic buys go he wasn't a bad one.

[Marc Overmars]

It's just the timing of signing Arteta that was wrong. If Nasri and Cesc were still here, you'd say Arteta would be a shrewd piece of business in terms of bolstering the squad.

As it happened we lost the attacking hub of our midfield, and buying Arteta who doesn't provide a great deal up top only served to magnify that problem further. He's by no means a bad player, he's capable of holding his own against the rough and tumble of the Prem, but he's fairly limited at what he does and after losing that bundle of technical ability our midifeld does need a new injection of skill. Particuarly if we want to do well in Europe again, the performances in the CL this season have been very average and workman like, probably no surprise we got got our arses handed to us in Milan.

[Özim]

Decent enough player but nothing special, as has been said not really the replacement we needed when we sold Cesc/Nasri, not his fault of course he does a decent job without being world class.

Think it was a shrewd bit of business by Everton who had his best years.

[hymppi]

was it intentional or just bad luck what happened to arteta?
i've only managed to see one replay of the situation, and i that it seemed pretty obvious deliberate icehockeyesque hit.

[Cripps_orig]

Accidental

[hymppi]

Accidental
ok.
i'd love to see a decent gif.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I still don't understand how Henderson managed to run in to him.

[Syn]

I still don't understand how Henderson managed to run in to him.

http://arsenalist.com/video/?id=xp73w2

Can't see it too well there but it doesn't really do him any favours. He was so far away from the ball I think he could've avoided contact. Arteta didn't really move either way, unless Henderson didn't see Arteta - which I find hard to believe considering he's in the eyeline of the ball - there wasn't much excuse.

[KSE Comedy Club]

That was as deliberate as you can get tbh.

He was running towards the ball but just barges through arteta, he even readies himself for the impact just before he hits..

He knew full well what he was doing the ****.

[Fats]

Deliberate

[Dog Toffee]

Looked very deliberate, you cant accidently run into someone whilst looking at them like that, with nothing tripping you or in your way.

[Flavs]

was it intentional or just bad luck what happened to arteta?
i've only managed to see one replay of the situation, and i that it seemed pretty obvious deliberate icehockeyesque hit.

Like this?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGRheKlGbq0

[Munchies]

He should be back for Milan .

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4173788/Mikel-Arteta-writes-Liverpool-letter-after-Anfield-injury.html

He's probably suprised their fans didn't boo him, being a former Everton player and all.

[Marc Overmars]

You'd have to be pretty classless to boo a player getting stretchered off after being down and not moving for the best part of 10 minutes.

[GP]

You'd have to be pretty classless to boo a player getting stretchered off after being down and not moving for the best part of 10 minutes.

I'd boo most of the Chelsea team under those circumstances, tbh.

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

Nice of him to say so, he didn't have to come out and say anything.

It is sad when a player so clearly injured is booed, it happens all too often. I'm pretty sure Lucas was booed off at Chelsea, and the reaction to Alan Smith was a disgrace.

[Ollie the Optimist]

Nice of him to say so, he didn't have to come out and say anything.

It is sad when a player so clearly injured is booed, it happens all too often. I'm pretty sure Lucas was booed off at Chelsea, and the reaction to Alan Smith was a disgrace.


with the alan smith injury, didnt they rock the ambulance and throw bricks at it? or was that just media rumours? i remember hearing something like that at the time

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

with the alan smith injury, didnt they rock the ambulance and throw bricks at it? or was that just media rumours? i remember hearing something like that at the timeSadly, yes.

[Niall_Quinn]

Wow, 100% deliberate. No room for doubt there, unless Henderson is blind. Pretty cowardly too considering Arteta had his back turned. Just goes to show, as cynical as we all are about the shit presenters and media that pump out crap about this sport, you can still fall for their bullshit. They were so matter of fact it was an accident that I just went along with it. But Henderson should be banned for that. Or is he not that sort of cowardly thug?

[Cripps_orig]

Henderson is the real victim in all this

[Niall_Quinn]

Henderson is the real victim in all this

I just hope it doesn't affect him adversely, he's suffered enough.

[Ollie the Optimist]

I just hope it doesn't affect him adversely, he's suffered enough.

he was in tears and his mum came to pick him up

[Shaqiri Is Boss]

I haven't seen it since, but why hasn't Wenger come out to condemn it if it looks intentional?

[McNamara That Ghost...]

I think people just assume this man is a mong and leave it at that:

http://www.abload.de/img/henderspazyrci.gif

[Marc Overmars]

I haven't seen it since, but why hasn't Wenger come out to condemn it if it looks intentional?

Because it was accidental.

Synical GW. :rolleyes:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

I haven't seen it since, but why hasn't Wenger come out to condemn it if it looks intentional?

It was Accidental thats why, everyone could see it. Wumger would be silly to go on about it.

[Niall_Quinn]

I haven't seen it since, but why hasn't Wenger come out to condemn it if it looks intentional?

I think everyone thought it was accidental at the time. When you see it again, clearly it was deliberate. Maybe Wenger hasn't seen it again, maybe he has enough stuff to worry about already like a 4-0 deficit to Milan.

[Niall_Quinn]

I think people just assume this man is a mong and leave it at that:

http://www.abload.de/img/henderspazyrci.gif

Should have said blind or has a dinosaur brain, he probably only noticed Arteta this morning and he'll feel the impact next Tuesday. So maybe accidental after all, although why hasn't he died from crossing the road or falling off cliffs? Maybe they don't let him out between matches.

[GP]

I think people just assume this man is a mong and leave it at that:

http://www.abload.de/img/henderspazyrci.gif

Looks like he's trying to engage Kelly in a Derp-off.

[Cripps_orig]

MIKEL ARTETA can't see any reason why Everton fans would abuse him when he returns to Goodison Park next week.
The Arsenal midfielder ended 6½ years as a Toffees player in the summer when he slapped in a transfer request an hour before the August window closed.


The lateness of the move prevented Everton from reinvesting the £10million they got for their star player until the turn of the year — something that may not have gone down well with some supporters.


But Arteta hopes they will forgive and forget next Wednesday and focus instead on all he gave to the club while there.


He said: "I really can't wait to go there, and I hope I'll get a good reception because I gave Everton everything I had in my time there and I love the club.


"Everyone there was great to me and, even though I left, hopefully people understood.


"There's no reason for any of us to be unhappy with each other."


Arteta, 29, is relishing running out at Goodison again, but admitted it would be strange to do so for a rival club.


The Spaniard added: "Visiting Everton next week will be really special for me.


"It's going to be weird to sit in the other changing room, warming up in the opposite half of the pitch and having the crowd against us.


"I just want to enjoy it."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4194864/Arsenal-star-Mikel-Arteta-cant-see-why-Everton-fans-would-abuse-him-on-return.html

Leave him in Everton tbh

And bring Fellaini back instead

[Syn]

When people come out with stuff like that, they're always feeling the opposite of what they say.

"I really can't wait to go there, and I hope I'll get a good reception because I gave Everton everything I had in my time there and I love the club.


"Everyone there was great to me and, even though I left, hopefully people understood.


"There's no reason for any of us to be unhappy with each other."


Sounds a bit "please don't boo me. I didn't do anything wrong!". So when gelboy says "I just want to enjoy it", he's really telling us he's bricking it.

It's like Scotty Parker the other day. "We're not worried about Arsenal catching us"... :lol: Yeah, you fucking are. You're bricking it. As is your manager who fully cracked in his post-match interview.

So I wouldn't start Arteta for this. I wouldn't start Ramsey either because you want 2 sitting CMs allowing Rosicky to roam forward as he has done with great effect. So Oxlade, Song box-to-box and sitting, respectively. Benayoun, Theo out wide. And we're strolling away with 3 points.

[Coney]

Is there a window at the side of the pitch and he is watching the other two through it while he has a lick?

[Alpha]

Arteta is a good player . But it is hard to notice his contribution . If you compare his to Cesc then you will be disappointed as Mikel is not that kind of player . But if you can remember Gilberto , then you can understand what Arteta is : The '' new invisible wall " . When arteta plays we take him for granted and don't see his importance to the team . When he doesn't play and we struggle and we start wishing he was there . Credit where it is deserved .

[Coney]

Arteta is a good player . But it is hard to notice his contribution . If you compare his to Cesc then you will be disappointed as Mikel is not that kind of player . But if you can remember Gilberto , then you can understand what Arteta is : The '' new invisible wall " . When arteta plays we take him for granted and don't see his importance to the team . When he doesn't play and we struggle and we start wishing he was there . Credit where it is deserved .

:good: It is the story of many good players doing the DM role. Some people don't realise their contribution until suddenly they are missing due to injury.

[Cripps_orig]

Arteta is a good player . But it is hard to notice his contribution . If you compare his to Cesc then you will be disappointed as Mikel is not that kind of player . But if you can remember Gilberto , then you can understand what Arteta is : The '' new invisible wall " . When arteta plays we take him for granted and don't see his importance to the team . When he doesn't play and we struggle and we start wishing he was there . Credit where it is deserved .Arteta isnt and never has been a DM though like Gilberto.

At Everton, he was their creative midfield player and his set pieces were very good.

At Arsenal, he rarely makes a pass forward and his set pieces are awful

Even Gilberto played his part offensively. Arteta doesnt. Hes been a failure. Not a major one such as Benayoun, Park, Jenkinson but a flop nontheless

[Coney]

Arteta isnt and never has been a DM though like Gilberto.

At Everton, he was their creative midfield player and his set pieces were very good.

At Arsenal, he rarely makes a pass forward and his set pieces are awful

Even Gilberto played his part offensively. Arteta doesnt. Hes been a failure. Not a major one such as Benayoun, Park, Jenkinson but a flop nontheless

If him being there stops some of the opposition goals and results in us winning more games, I don't give a shit what his official title and position are, or what he was originally (thought to be) bought for.

[Cripps_orig]

If him being there stops some of the opposition goals and results in us winning more games, I don't give a shit what his official title and position are, or what he was originally (thought to be) bought for.Well thats just it. It hasnt really has it?

Not really Artetas fault as hes not a DM and hes been put there by a mong

[Syn]

Bollocks. Listen to yesterday's Tuesday Club and hear Jonathan Creek talk up gelboy's contribution - he's spot on.

[Marc Overmars]

Hey Ach, leave the sexy spaniard alone.

[Cripps_orig]

Hey Ach, leave the sexy spaniard alone.Arteta? Sexy?

Hes an ugly fuck

[Coney]

Bollocks. Listen to yesterday's Tuesday Club and hear Jonathan Creek talk up gelboy's contribution - he's spot on.

What did JC say?

[Syn]

What did JC say?

He was talking about Ramsey I think - and how he's always a bit desperate to make something happen. Which is great. But he is too wasteful and we can't stamp any authority on the game. He was saying Arteta does what the experienced players in the past used to do for us. Bergkamp would keep making short passes and keeping it simple until he could spot a clear opening. His positional awareness is spot on. He knows where to be and what to do. There was always a great naivety about our play in recent years. I think Arteta has helped to clamp down on that rather well.

Another great comment I think he made was about Theo - saying that in the past few weeks we have seen him learn a lot about football. Before Theo used to drift out of games a lot and a lot of the time you didn't know he was on the pitch. Now he knows where to be. You can talk about him missing chances but he's always in the right place. He talked about how you couldn't keep players like Pires out of the game because although he'd never run more than 20 yards, he knew exactly where to be. You compare that with Oxlade's performance and you could see that he was struggling to get involved, which is to be expected. Theo is starting to learn the art of that - along with the fact that, as Wenger says, at 22, this is the time players start performing consistently. But encouraging signs is all it is at this stage - too early to say he has turned the corner.

[Fist of Lehmann]

When watching Arteta is always good to bear in mind the theoreticals.

Football is about controlling space.

[LDG]

When watching Arteta is always good to bear in mind the theoreticals.

Football is about controlling space.

Vader :bow:

[Coney]

He was talking about Ramsey I think - and how he's always a bit desperate to make something happen. Which is great. But he is too wasteful and we can't stamp any authority on the game. He was saying Arteta does what the experienced players in the past used to do for us. Bergkamp would keep making short passes and keeping it simple until he could spot a clear opening. His positional awareness is spot on. He knows where to be and what to do. There was always a great naivety about our play in recent years. I think Arteta has helped to clamp down on that rather well.

Another great comment I think he made was about Theo - saying that in the past few weeks we have seen him learn a lot about football. Before Theo used to drift out of games a lot and a lot of the time you didn't know he was on the pitch. Now he knows where to be. You can talk about him missing chances but he's always in the right place. He talked about how you couldn't keep players like Pires out of the game because although he'd never run more than 20 yards, he knew exactly where to be. You compare that with Oxlade's performance and you could see that he was struggling to get involved, which is to be expected. Theo is starting to learn the art of that - along with the fact that, as Wenger says, at 22, this is the time players start performing consistently. But encouraging signs is all it is at this stage - too early to say he has turned the corner.

Hate to use him as an example, but although Teddy Sherringham was an old guy, he was very effective because he was able to be in the right place, not needing to do a 50 yard sprint because he was already there.

[Cripps_orig]

Arsène Wenger believes Mikel Arteta has played a vital role as Arsenal’s ‘quiet hero’ this season.

The Spaniard has been a hit since moving from Everton last summer and he is set to return to Goodison Park on Wednesday night for Arsenal’s Premier League clash.

Arteta has become a mainstay in Wenger’s midfield and the manager is a big admirer of the understated 29-year-old.

“He always gives you a certain level of quality,” the Frenchman told Arsenal Player. “He is always 100 per cent focused and committed and that is what you want from a real professional. He brings the best out of other players.

“I believe he is a winner and a fighter as well. I think he possesses both aspects of the game of a real midfielder - that means he can defend and he can attack. That is what we looked for.”

Wenger also picked out Aaron Ramsey for praise after stepping up to the mark following the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.

“It is basically his first full season and he has done extremely well,” said Wenger. “He can learn from the experience of players like Arteta, Song and Rosicky. That is something vital when you want to develop players.

“We lost Diaby as well and people forget that he played a big part in many games last year. I believe that the players who came in did a good job.”

http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-arteta-brings-the-best-out-of-other-players-

[Cripps_orig]

MIKEL ARTETA has the boy-next-door good looks, the clean-cut image and a reputation as a model professional.

Type his name into Google with 'controversy', 'trouble' or 'scandal' and guess what comes up? Correct — nothing.

But in an exclusive SunSport interview, the Arsenal midfield star, who turns 30 on Monday, reveals it was not always that way.

For football's Mr Perfect says he was almost led astray into the party lifestyle when he was a teenager trying to break into the big time with Barcelona.

Arteta recalled: "There was a turning point when I was with Barca and staying at La Masia. It's where the club grooms all the young players aged from 13 to 17.

"I was in a room with Pepe Reina, Victor Valdes, Carles Puyol and Andres Iniesta. That was the quality we had there.

"I tell you, even then you could look at a young Iniesta and see that he was destined for the first team.

"You just knew he was going to do very well.

"But there were also guys there who were not so dedicated, who had different characters.

"The ones who would not do this exercise, who would skip this and that in training, who would say, 'Let's jump the fence and go party'.

"Because when you are 'nearly there' as a player, it is easy to lose your head.

"So I did that with them a few times, up and over the wall and into town.

"I didn't really want to do it, I did it because the other lads wanted me to, or were saying 'Oh, you haven't the balls to do it!'

"But then I was caught and Barca were really, really tough with me.

"That was the day that I learned that, if I really wanted to succeed at football, I had to be totally focused on my game — not following those other guys."

Arteta never went AWOL again and, although he did not make the grade in Spain, he has enjoyed seven years of success in the Premier League with Everton and now at the Emirates.

And he is quick to warn any young wannabe player just how dangerous it can be to succumb to peer pressure and keep dodgy company.

He added: "It is partly down to your character and whether you have that kind of personality where you want to go off and do things like that.

"You can normally judge by the way people behave, the way people act. You can also judge by the people hanging around them.

"There's so many people who tell you how big a star you are, how nice you are, how good you are, how lovely you are.

"And when you are young you can listen to all of that. That's why it is vital that you have the right people around you — people who really love you and care about what's best for you.

"People who will say, 'Hang on, be careful, look after yourself, be good', and who are truthful to you and will say, 'You were rubbish today'.

"They are the people you must listen to — not the ones who say, 'Let's go partying' and are always looking to have a better time.

"I was lucky in that I had my mum and dad, who have looked out for me since I was a small boy.

"My mum even left her job to come and live in Barcelona to make sure I was OK because she knew it was my big chance.

"I will always be grateful because now I realise how important they were for me and my career."

Arteta's stunning wife — former Miss Spain Lorena Bernal — is the one who keeps him on the straight and narrow these days.

And the one who will be cheering him on today as Arsenal try to pull further away from London rivals Tottenham and Chelsea to secure automatic qualification for the Champions League by securing third spot.

Roberto Di Matteo's Blues take on Spurs at Stamford Bridge this lunchtime, with the in-form Gunners welcoming Aston Villa to the Emirates later.

But the Spaniard insists he and his team-mates will not be distracted by the London derby across the capital — only focused on beating Villa.

He added: "We can't afford to drop any points and we can't afford to think it will be easy.

"We have to respect Villa, not just expect to win. It will be tough.

"Before the game we will have a look at the other game, we will see how they are doing. But, to be honest, it doesn't matter what goes on there. I don't even know if it's better for us if Tottenham win or Chelsea win.

"And anyway, we can't do anything about it so it's best to shrug and say whatever happens, happens... and just concentrate on us getting three points."

Then he can give it back to all the Tottenham fans who have been ribbing him since his move to North London.

Arteta revealed: "I've had a lot of people coming up to me in the street saying, 'I'm a Tottenham fan, we are 10 points ahead of you, we are this, we are that'.

"Don't get me wrong, they were nice and it was good fun — they were so excited for their team because normally it is the other way around.

"Normally it is Arsenal so far in front — and hopefully it will be again on Saturday night."

Good excuse for a party then, Mikel. Where are we going?

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4214953/Mikel-Arteta-I-had-to-turn-from-teen-tearaway-to-become-footballs-Mr-Perfect.html

The GHEL force was strong in this one from a young age

[Master Splinter]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-free-kick-mikel-arteta-v-aston-villa/
(http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-free-kick-mikel-arteta-v-aston-villa/)
Gorgeous :bow:.

The goal was good too.

[Marc Overmars]

About time he pubbed one in from 30 yards like he used to do for Everton. :bow:

[Syn]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-free-kick-mikel-arteta-v-aston-villa/
(http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-free-kick-mikel-arteta-v-aston-villa/)
Gorgeous :bow:.

The goal was good too.

My favourite part of the clip was from 0:03 to 0:06.

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Barca youth products. :bow:

[Cripps_orig]

Anonymous for 90 odd minutes then he goes and does that

Arteta :bow:

[Letters]

http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-free-kick-mikel-arteta-v-aston-villa/
(http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/golazo-free-kick-mikel-arteta-v-aston-villa/)
Gorgeous :bow:.

The goal was good too.

"it was gathering pace all the way"

No it wasn't. Newton would be rolling in his grave.

:doh:

[Syn]

HB Mikel Arteta. :bow:

30 today. You know what that means - the club will be looking to force him out asap.

[Cripps_orig]

Lets hope so

Nevertheless

hb

[Marc Overmars]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOm2RcdKRzk

[Master Splinter]

http://i.imgur.com/Ve52c.jpg

:bow:

Almost as godly as Sagna.

[Marc Overmars]

Should be in the Spain squad this summer tbh.

[selassie]

He was awesome today, outstanding goal too. Nice one Mickey!

[McNamara That Ghost...]

Should be in the Spain squad this summer tbh.

It is funny how he is miles away from it, yet England can count Barry as a first-teamer. And by funny I mean gut-wrenchingly depressing.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Should be in the Spain squad this summer tbh.

This shame he won't be, heck id take him in the england sqaud miles bettet the most.

[Syn]

Should be in the Spain squad this summer tbh.

He's the best ever Spaniard we know imo.

[Marc Overmars]

It is funny how he is miles away from it, yet England can count Barry as a first-teamer. And by funny I mean gut-wrenchingly depressing.

England. :lol:

Disgusting footballing nation.

[Cripps_orig]

Should be in the Spain squad this summer tbh.Should be captain

The Arteta of old he was today. Well the Everton one. Before Wengeritis infection

[The Ogg Monster]

Ach: Arteta to score :haha:

Biggest mong on GW.

[Cripps_orig]

Ach: Arteta to score :haha:

Biggest mong on GW.So whos this guy then?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Ach: Arteta to score :haha:

Biggest mong on GW.

:haha:

Ach even getting picked on by newbies.

[milla]

:haha:

Ach even getting picked on by newbies.

:lol:

[Cripps_orig]

Thats being picked on?

And i doubt hes a newbie. Quite obvious who it is really. A poster who has history of making accounts just to WUM but is immune to being banned.

Oh well i as i do with all his other accounts will just laugh at him

[milla]

Thats being picked on?

And i doubt hes a newbie. Quite obvious who it is really. A poster who has history of making accounts just to WUM but is immune to being banned.

Oh well i as i do with all his other accounts will just laugh at him

Either the mods, Cripps or Ach himself. :lol:

[The Ogg Monster]

So whos this guy then?

Your worst nightmare.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Thats being picked on?

And i doubt hes a newbie. Quite obvious who it is really. A poster who has history of making accounts just to WUM but is immune to being banned.

Oh well i as i do with all his other accounts will just laugh at him

So who is he

Mr Singh ?

[Cripps_orig]

So who is he

Mr Singh ?No idea...

Dont really give a fuck either.

We won today and thats all that matters.

If he wants tp have a laugh at me for laughing at Arteta whos been a bit shit this season regardless of the goal today then thats up to him

Il just celebrate the win as all true fans are doing

[Olivier's xmas twist]

No idea...

Dont really give a fuck either.

We won today and thats all that matters.

If he wants tp have a laugh at me for laughing at Arteta whos been a bit shit this season regardless of the goal today then thats up to him

Il just celebrate the win as all true fans are doing

I was just joshing (joking) fella don't take it personal. like you say we won all that matters.

[Joker]

Good performance today, more progressive in his passing and decided to have a crack from range, which he should do more of.

[Cripps_orig]

Manchester City are favourites to win the Premier League title this season, believes Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta.

The two English teams face each other in a pre-season clash in China on Friday a little over two months after the Blues beat Manchester United to the top of the table on goal difference.

Arteta, 30, believes Arsenal can challenge for higher than third place this year but accepts that Roberto Mancini’s side will be top dogs.

More woe for Wilshere

Arsenal youngster is not expected to be fit for the start of the new season
He told reporters: “I think Manchester City would be the favourite team in next EPL season. If we could beat them in Beijing, it would be a bright start for a new season.

“Anyway, Arsenal also has a big chance to fight for the title, if we could show our abilities totally, we could overcome any rivals.”

The former Everton player was a regular under Arsene Wenger in the 2011-12 season after signing for the Gunners on transfer-deadline day last summer.

Arteta said he hoped to impact more in attack this campaign, adding: “At least I should score more than 10 goals. I believe I could do that.”

So far this summer Wenger has lured Germany attacker Lukas Podolski and French striker Olivier Giroud to boost the Gunners attack.

Arteta praised the pair, saying: “Podolski could play in my positions in the pitch.

“Giroud played quite well in last season in Ligue 1. He was the top scorer. Both of them would strength the attacking.”

Arteta was brought to the Emirates Stadium a year ago to help fill the void left by Barcelona-bound Cesc Fabregas, and the Spanish playmaker admitted he believes the two are comparable.

“We are actually similar in some way,” he said. “But there are still something different.

“He would like to play behind our forwards, and my position is a little bit deeper, as a defensive midfield.”

Spain’s 4-0 thrashing of Italy in the Euro 2012 final cemented the nation’s place as the top international side on the planet, and Arteta revealed he would love to be part of their 2014 World Cup squad.

“Spain have more talent players that we have never seen before,” the Arsenal player continued.

“There are battles for all 11 positions. I still work hard, I hope I could have a chance to play for my country in 2014 Brazilian World Cup.”

Arteta, who played for Barcelona during his youth, admitted the style of play at Arsenal is not to dissimilar to that of the Catalan club.

“We have the similar football philosophy - keep the ball, attack forever and [be] skilful," he said.

“As a player who started football career in Barcelona, I would always like to play football like this.”

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/07/26/3266426/manchester-city-favourites-to-win-premier-league-arteta

Good to see he admits he was a bit shit attacking wise last season

[Master Splinter]

Orbinho (http://twitter.com/Orbinho) ‏@Orbinho

Joe Allen today 74 passes 93% completion. Nuri Sahin 45 passes 93% completion. Mikel Arteta 92 passes 95% success rate.


Arteta :bow:.

[Marc Overmars]

Time for Spain to cap him tbf.

Better than Xavi and Busquets.

[Bergkampwonderland10]

Time for Spain to cap him tbf.

Better than Xavi and Busquets.

Arteta was immense in DM role today.

[Cripps_orig]

Arteta :bow:.

Impressive stats although passing sideways is not very threatening

[Cripps_orig]

Mikel Arteta has said he is happy to do "the best thing for the team" and play in an unfamiliar deep role in Arsenal's midfield this season.

He also revealed that manager Arsene Wenger had assured him that moving from his normal position was in the best interests of the squad as a whole - which the Spanish midfielder says is a big change, but one he is prepared to undergo.

The 30-year-old acknowledged that during his side's 1-1 draw with Manchester City it was important to have a creative yet physical presence in the centre of the pitch.

"It is a big transition but it is more a mental thing. The boss is convinced that is the best thing for the team and I am too, so let’s do it," he told the club's official website.

"If it works, and in games like that where you probably think you need a more physical presence but you still create and are able to match the physical ability and the way they play, it reinforces your belief. I am totally happy that is a good way to play."

With the result against City, Arsenal maintained their unbeaten start to the new season - which Arteta said was down to the attitude of all the players - arguing, in fact, that his team were the better side at the Etihad Stadium.

Despite praising the Gunners' mentality, he also warned that they need to be more consistent in the future if they want to challenge for top honours.

"The attitude has been spot on and we know it can only be like this," he added.

"It cannot be any other way for a game or 20 minutes in a game when you relax, because you are going to pay for it and against big teams like this, even more.

"For us, it’s good because we believe that we are as good as them, at least. I think on Sunday we were better than them. If we are, then all we need is consistency."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/24/3400045/arsenal-midfielder-arteta-happy-to-play-in-a-deeper-role

Good team player and someone we can do with v the big teams when we need to keep the ball but against the Sunderlands/Norwichs etc, he needs to be more creative

[Ollie the Optimist]

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2012/09/24/3400045/arsenal-midfielder-arteta-happy-to-play-in-a-deeper-role

Good team player and someone we can do with v the big teams when we need to keep the ball but against the Sunderlands/Norwichs etc, he needs to be more creative

which is exactly what song tried to do last year resulting in us conceding stupid goals because there was no one back to help cover the defence.

[Cripps_orig]

Against Sunderland on the opening day, Arteta was the most frustrating player on the pitch.

He had lots of possession but did f all with it and it was the same last season even with Song in the side.

We know he can be creative so he needs to try it more often

[bignev]

Against Sunderland on the opening day, Arteta was the most frustrating player on the pitch.

He had lots of possession but did f all with it and it was the same last season even with Song in the side.

We know he can be creative so he needs to try it more often

Well he's playing as a DM so that would suggest he will try it less tbh.

[Cripps_orig]

Is it possible to be less creative than he already is?

[Olivier's xmas twist]

Well he's playing as a DM so that would suggest he will try it less tbh.

:haha: Just remember who your replying to :coffee:

[Syn]

He has turned into a monster player for us. And I don't use that term often. Monster.

I don't know where this aggression has come from. I don't remember him being German for Everton.

[Cripps_orig]

:haha:, Just remember who your replying to :coffee:
:blink:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

:blink:

:blink:

[Ollie the Optimist]

last year we moaned that song was to creatative as a dm and left the defence exposed, now we have a dm who has been brilliant and some are moaning he is not creative enough.

leave the creativity to others, cazorla etc and leave the dm duties to the dm. its working atm

[Cripps_orig]

He doesnt have to do what Song did ie run upfront at every opportunity

Just play the ball forward more often, speed up our attack

:doh:

[Olivier's xmas twist]

last year we moaned that song was to creatative as a dm and left the defence exposed, now we have a dm who has been brilliant and some are moaning he is not creative enough.

leave the creativity to others, cazorla etc and leave the dm duties to the dm. its working atm

:gp: Arteta, is a beast in that Dm role. As long as he keeps doing what he is doing we will be ok. Leave the Creatvity to the likes or Santi and Jack etc.

[Olivier's xmas twist]

He doesnt have to do what Song did ie run upfront at every opportunity

Just play the ball forward more often, speed up our attack

:doh:

Ollie never said that.