Robin van Persie has backed Arsenal’s five new signings to shine at the Emirates and firmly believes their combined experience is proof that the club now have leaders in every area of the squad.
Having been very short of options at Old Trafford Arsene Wenger’s squad had a distinctly different and more experienced look in yesterday’s win over Swansea with Mikel Arteta, Per Mertesacker and Yossi Benayoun all making their debuts and Ju Young Park and Andre Santos both on the bench.
Reflecting on the late transfer acquisitions, the Dutchman told the official matchday programme that he was confident his new teammates would bring both quality and leadership to the dressing-room.
“We have some new additions that we are very happy about, I followed the transfer deadline day quite closely from Holland, and was in touch with people over here. It was quite crazy really, I followed it like I’m sure all the fans did.
“I met all the new players after coming back from Holland, and of course I knew a few of them from playing against them before anyway.
“They are experienced, so I’m sure that will help them settle in much quicker – especially Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun who already know the Premier League well.
“Per Mertesacker has over 75 caps for Germany, and has played for big clubs in Germany, and Andre Santos has played for Brazil and Fenerbahce, so he certainly knows how to handle pressure.
“Park is the captain of South Korea so I’m sure they will all fit in very quickly here. They are experienced, and they are all leaders, and as I’ve said before, I’m a believer that you don’t just have one captain in the dressing room.
“You should have leaders in every area of the squad, and that’s what it looks like now.”
“one” Captain in the dressing room.
Sub editing at your service.
Fixed, thanks
With all these captains, it was surprising that Chamakh was unable to locate one on the pitch, yesterday.
We could do with a few captains in the stands there was more arguing amongst fans where I was sitting yesterday-worrying times
i could have gotten the band if i was there.
we have taken a step backwards since the loss of Nasri and Fabregas IMO
i think wenger knows he has not fully addresses their departures, and will act when he can.
Didn’t have any arguing where I was sittin just singing 🙂
I had a brief exchange with the guy a few seats down who called Gibbs a knobhead for not taking a quick throw in… which I told him I thought was a tad harsh. Other than that I thought the support was great.
[…] Persie has spoken of his delight for the clubs new signings, and believes they would be a great addition to the squad. or what was previously left of […]
So true, forgot about that incident. Who got the armband in the end?
Chamakh ended up wearing it the rest of the match.
And he put in a decent performance – perhaps Wenger should make a secondary captain’s armband and let him wear it all the time.
a Lieutenants armband. he can design it himself, like a little school project, while the big boys are training.
Just imagine what could have happened had Chamahk given the band to someone else, probably would have cruised to a 5-0 victory, and inspired Jack Wilshere to access previously unknown self healing powers…….and everyone would have got laid on Saturday night.
Didn’t witness much leadership on Saturday. Looked same old mess defending a goal advantage and not the ability to increase it. 3 points but not reassuring. Yes we should wait for new players to gel that’s the issue with late signings and by the new year we can look forward to 2 “new signings” wilshire and vermaelen. 4th place looks way too optimistic
Right. Pool look quality, or will it be Tots that take 4th. pffff. Cheer the fuck up!
The team just needs time to mesh. This is why you do your business earlier in the summer. Oh well.
The new players seem talented and we are definitely deeper this year than last. Not as talented in the center of the pitch but deeper. Can’t wait to see Park. Hopefully he can play off of RVP well.
This season will be a good one if we can stay/get healthy. With Wilshere we have a chance. Without him I think were a top 6 team at best.
Aint we tired of this negativity yet? Jeez, let’s forget about this 4th, 5th, or even 7th position thing for now. Plsssss folks.
ramsey is playing shit atm wenger needs to drop him to the bench imo put rosicky or frimp in the starting line up against dortmund if not we will lose !!!!!
does anyone else think that ramsey isn’t putting much effort in games? he looks slow and loses the ball in dangerous positions too often unlike for wales against england where he was motm the only good game he has had was the home tie against udinese when he set theo up etc apart from that he has played worse than rosicky !!!! why wont wenger drop him and play midfield of song arteta and frimp or song arteta and rosciky ?
I think it’s highly unlikely that you actually do know more than Wenger. It’s a thought, that’s all. But he’s got 20+ years of managing professional footballers, and he’s won a lot of tin. When you look at the competition he’s faced – corruption in France, moneybags clubs here – he’s really got a rather good record. But still, it’s possible that you know better.
Ramsay is one of those players who, whatever you can say about his game, doesn’t coast. He might as well have “good engine” tattooed on his forehead.