The season may only be three games old, but since the end of the last campagin there are already a number of positives to take away from the year so far.
Our 2012/13 Premier League adventure has so far seen us endure goalless draws at home to Sunderland and away at Stoke City as well as an enjoyable 2-0 victory at Anfield against Liverpool.
Ahead of our weekend hosting of basement club Southampton, we take a look at WTTGT favourite three aspects of the season so far.
3 – The rebirth of Abou Diaby
As previously discussed in an earlier post, since returning for injury Abou Diaby has been immense.
The Frenchman has started all three of the Gunners’ games this season after missing the majority of the last few years with multiple injury problems.
However, Diaby has slotted into the midfield trio alongside Spanish duo Santi Cazorla and Mikel Arteta and has put in a series of displays to justify Arsene Wenger’s faith in him.
The big man was the outstanding candidate for man of the match in the 2-0 win at Liverpool and has shown his quality both defensively and offensively.
He is certainly filling the void left from Alex Song’s departure to Barcelona and if he keeps up his current form, we won’t be missing the Cameroonian.
2 – The immediate impact of Santi Cazorla
Santi Cazorla has certainly shown why his arrived created so much excitement around the Emirates.
Whereas a lot of signings take time to adapt (Olivier Giroud), Cazorla has taken to English football like a duck to water and seems to be what the side has been missing since Cesc Fabregas’ exit last summer.
He scored his first goal for the club in the win over Liverpool after two captivating displays against Sunderland and Stoke City, and always looks capable of creating an opportunity.
The Spaniard can seemingly create a chance out of nothing, and isn’t afraid to have a shot from distance either which is something that we haven’t seen at Arsenal for a while.
So far, Cazorla is proving to be £16m well spent.
1 – We can defend
The best attribute we can take from our campaign so far has to be the fact that we seem to be able to defend and defend well.
This time last year we had already conceded 10 goals in just three games, this season we are the only team in all of the top four divisions who are yet to let in a goal.
Steve Bould has come in and seems to have made a colossal difference to way we can defend.
Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker have been formidable in the centre-back positions, but one of the most pleasing aspects is that it hasn’t been our strongest team that has been keeping the goals out.
Vito Mannone and Carl Jenkinson have both proven their worth when called upon, and the whole side seems to be able to defend as a team.
The run won’t last forever, but for now it is darn right enjoyable.
Matt Cotton
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