Mikel Arteta says life on the bench is a new experience for him, and that although coming off the bench is tough, he’s looking forward to making a contribution to this season.
The skipper missed a large chunk of last season due to a calf injury which required surgery in the end, but made his first appearance since November away at Selhurst Park to help the Gunners to a 2-1 win last weekend.
Having been one of the first names on the team sheet since his arrival in 2011, and at all of his previous clubs, it’s a big change for the 33 year old but he’s remaining positive about it and his ability to have an impact this season.
““It’s hard when you come on like this,” he said in his programme notes for tonight, “when the team is hanging on to try to keep that result, but you need to get there with the highest intensity possible, start making an impact if possible.
“It’s a new situation for me. I’ve never been like this before, a substitute. Going from the outside to the inside is very different.
“When you get in there it’s 100mph so you really need to be ready. You have to warm up really well and when you get there you have to be ready to go straight away.”
Having lost his place to Francis Coquelin, the Spaniard knows he’s got to work hard to play as much as he’d like, but he says he’s in good shapre after the injury lay-off.
“I’m feeling really good. After a difficult season, when I didn’t play since November 26, eight months is a long time to catch up.
“I knew that I was starting at a disadvantage compared to everyone else because when you haven’t played you have to start slowly. The time will come when hopefully I get my reward.”
All thanks to super Coquelin
He is a really good player to have on our side. A very positive player with a lot of experience. And what i saw from his cameo at Palace was really good. He really made a good impact. Hopefully he will get alot of playing time ahead without our other players getting injured. Lets smash the stupid mug…. Or whatever they are.
He was immense in that cameo at Palace. Made the prospect of him as second choice DM less worrying. COYG!
I agree, when he was to come on i thought here we go again, batter the hatches. Would have preferred to have seen someone come on like for like. He must have made 3-4 crunching tackles instantly. Proved me wrong (but i wont admit it)
Good to see him back, he was looking sharp last Sunday.
Arteta showed that he still offers something to the side with his experienced, discipline cameo at Selhurst Park.
I think i could handle that amount of toughness and some. It comes with the age mik.
A great player, just shows the progression of the squad. 6 months ago he was first choice, now a (very good) back up, much like debuchy, Gibbs, ospina, welbeck, wilshire, theo?? The list goes on
I’m really surprised by the number of gooners that have written him off and are insisting that the manager must sign a CDM to challenge Coq. We have that CDM already in Arteta and he’s definitely not a bad 2nd choice
Great option from the bench. Class and experience.
Even though I keep getting voted down for this, I still maintain that if Wenger truly wants to play Ramsey in CM, then he has to pair him with Arteta or someone similar (a DLP), than Coquelin.
I love the Coq (ooh-matron) but I don’t think him and Ramsey work together. But Arteta and Ramsey do.
Yeah, agreed. Coq/Cazorla, Arteta+Ramsey and Coq/Wilshere are our three best midfield pairings atm. Coq needs somebody beside him with enough dribbling skills to facilitate the transitition from defence to attack without support, and Arteta needs somebody with high enough movement and workrate to make up for his lack of mobility.
It’s a bit like last leason, were Flamini+Wilshere was our second best pairing after Arteta+Ramsey.
I love having Arteta in the team. He’s got a vast wealth of experience and he really does know how to make a tackle. He might not have the legs to go 90 minutes every week, but he’s a great option off the bench and for a spot start here or there.
I agree with Stillmatic about CM pairings – it’s Arteta and Ramsey, or Coquelin and Cazorla. Those two pairs both work like magic.
Arteta is a fine back up and Flamini is a fine back up to the back up. Flamini will hardly play this season so the haters can relax.