Three games, three doubles, three players. This success is not just any good series of matches but also symbolises the momentum, form and confidence that Arsenal currently possess. Once again, Arsene Wenger’s squad went for a win away from home against a rough Cardiff City team.
The Gunners went through a very tough match, but took the initiative in the first period, before undergoing a strong spell of pressure from Cardiff at the beginning of the second half. A strong spell which lead to…an Arsenal goal, before the ultimate “banderille” finally scored in dying minutes; Aaron Ramsey.
It’s a victory which confirms a leading position of four points ahead of second-placed Chelsea. A place and a logical advantage in relation to the beginning of Arsenal’s season that has included a brilliant November that has in the past so often sounded like the death knell of hopes for the Gunners. But this season, everything is different. Arsenal found their height of strength was in the mid 2000s: the confidence and mental strength. This is the winning formula of this 2013-2014 Arsenal.
Among the main positives from Saturday, in my opinion, was the standout performance of Mikel Arteta. Many people were hesitant about the capabilities of the Spaniard to take the defensive midfield role. His match against Cardiff will definitely put everyone at ease. Besides his stats on duels away (21 50/50 duels, winning 62% of them), his defensive performance was incredible, as shown in this table by FourFourTwo.
These are the elements that epitomise the playing strength of the captain. Gunners attributes: top-quality passing, laterality, but we must now add a remarkable defensive solidarity. Just note the number of successful tackles and the number of interception to understand the pivotal role of Arteta in Gunner’s ammunition. Jack Wilshere, Ramsey, Arteta, Mathieu Flamini, every Arsenal defensive midfielder knows how to run forward with efficiency (look Flamini’s goal against Cardiff), but Arteta is the only to dedicate his play in an exclusive defensive way. Surely, an invaluable player each and every Gooner should thanks.
Vincent Fabre
Hi, my name is Vincent, I’m 37. As a French long-time fan of the Arsenal, my passion started in the mid-90′s. I’m living in Paris, but I’ve traveled several times to see games at Highbury and The Emirates, always sticking with the lads during good or bad times. I also blog in French about Arsenal FC at www.arsenal-fc.fr.
As a Frenchman, I’ve supported my national team “Les Bleus” since I was a kid. I follow the French Championship “la Ligue 1″ with accuracy.
I cannot agree. Yes the diagram shows a lot of his sideways passes, most of which are successful, and the few tackles that he won. But my biggest problems with arteta is that without the ball I think it is too easy to run past him, with him not being too athletic or aggressive, and that he doesn’t seem good enough to receive the ball in any situation and buy him self some time with a clever touch to little trick.
Arsene did once describe him as a “technical leader” of the team and I agree that his does play a major part in affecting and maybe dictating the tempo of the team. But I want more, ramsey or jack can do that.
If I had the ball and was charging through midfield, as I do, I would not care if arteta was after me. If it was flamini, I’d probably be looking to pass the ball before I got lifted off my feet!
One or the other and I’m having flamini over him all day!