Mikel Arteta’s deadline day signing almost didn’t happen. We at Arseblog News don’t really want to think about the fact it nearly didn’t, we’re just glad he’s on board.
The Spaniard has added maturity and experience to the Arsenal midfield, and while at Everton he chipped in with a fair share of goals, his more conservative role in the steadily improving Arsenal midfield means he’s had to curb some of his natural attacking instincts.
He has netted twice for the Gunners this season and although he’s anxious to contribute more in that regard he knows the work he’s doing as link man in midfield is important too.
“If there’s something I’d like to do more it’s probably to get more around the box, to score more goals and to create a few more things,” he told the Arsenal Magazine. “But I think at the moment we’re trying to build a team, starting by being secure at the back.
“As soon as we get all that right I can see myself getting into more advanced positions. I want to help the team by scoring goals, doing more in the final third and being more decisive. But equally I think it’s been important to get everyone together, working hard and ensuring there is more balance in the side.”
In the absence of Jack Wilshere and the intermittent fitness of Abou Diaby, Arteta, Alex Song and Aaron Ramsey have become the first choice midfield trio at the club and Mik believes they work well together.
“I think we’ve got a good mix there,” he said. “Alex is more of a holding midfielder. He’s good on the ball, really strong physically and can get the ball back for us and protect the back four really well.
“Aaron is, if not exactly a number 10, someone who can get into the box, create things in the final third and score goals. He’s a really talented young player with a great future. Having Alex and me behind him gives him a lot of freedom to do what he’s good at, and we try and make the most of it.”
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Read the rest of this interview in this month’s edition of the Arsenal Magazine
*swoon*
He’s so amazing! And foregoing his attacking instinct for the good and stability of the team! :c)
I *swooned* a goodun when i was reading that.
This guy has come into the team and done a better job than anyone else could of.
I like Arteta and Song’s physicality in midfield ,They bring both falir and stability in midfield .
p.s Arteta looks like Colombian Drug Lord..a handsome colombian drug lord
Artetas current role is what denilson should have become, with added bonus that he contribute moving forward. Ergo, he’s a fuckin boss, wish we signed him years ago
Exactly what I think whenever I see Arteta just being there and keeping the ball moving and the play flowing, without giving the ball away and being a weak ass little bitch. He’s awesome.
i think he will be the creative midfielder once Wilshere comes back. He is better than Ramsey and is more experienced.
Wat a handsome man he is too!
Arteta wants more goals. I want more Arteta.
I would love to see Diaby take up the role that Arteta is playing at the moment and push Arteta further forward with song holding. As good as Rambo has been for us, he cant consistantly spray a pass like arteta…..yet. Although i think its more likely that Arsene will play diaby further forward if that midfield trio were ever to happen.
Hope Diaby has a good game against city. Looked like he has been here all season from his cameo against fullham.
diaby???!
he always delay our attacking side and loss the ball…
did you see him on Saturday? or watched him in the past?
Diaby is a massively talented player and had a good 20 odd minutes the other day, he will get us goals and score them too.
Been waiting for ages to see him back in the squad, hopefully he’s shaken that bastard injury.
yeah you obviously have not seen the slick diaby that the rest of us have. some of his footwork makes him looks like he morphs through players and comes out the other side with the ball……. alot of people think he is a holding midfielder like viera cos of the look of him but if you watched him play he really is nothing like him….
Diaby suffers from seeming like he doesn’t care enough at times.. He is exceptional with the ball at times, and can ghost past people like you wouldn’t expect him, however there’s been so many times in the past couple years where he has faded out of games and looks completely disinterested in the game… I’d much rather have Arteta/Wilshere with Song behind then Diaby in the game, but with as many fixtures we have coming up, hopefully Diaby can stay healthy enough to get a run of 10+ games in without picking up a niggling injury which has been the… Read more »
He is indeed a handsome man, and also good at football.
provides more steel in midfield than Denilson
What is with the : He is handsome stuff on here , it is a little bit Gay if you ask me…
The name Boris is a little suspect too….
If you’d rather look at Nasri, nobody’s going to stop you
hahahaha and the name Manlover isn`t…
*Swoon*
e’s bleedin’ SWOON AS, innit