Like A Boss

"Yet Again Arsenal In A Matter Of Seconds Have Turned Defending Into Classic Counter Attack"

It is a well-worn tale that Arsene Wenger insisted upon the signing of Patrick Vieira from AC Milan before he would put pen to paper on his own contract to join the Arsenal. As much as Wenger was an unknown quantity, so too was Vieira. It wouldn’t take long for either to justify themselves in the Premier League. Vieira became the fulcrum around which Wenger weaved Arsenal’s intricate passing game, combining the graft and guile with which to strip opponents of the ball and immediately launch the Gunners into attack. 

O Captain, My Captain

we've got the best player in the league

It’s hard to believe there were doubts about Robin Van Persie’s credentials as a leader when you look back over the season he is having. Even as a longtime admirer of his playing ability I have to admit that he continues to impress in this regard. Amy Lawrence sums it up rather nicely in her piece for The Guardian. No disrespect to Henry or Fabregas as players but they don’t have a patch on RVP as a captain. He arrived with questions over his temperament and survived questions of his durability and we are now seeing the man, who grew up loving the club he now plays for [see him as a kid in the Arsenal kit on Stuart MacFarlane’s Flickr], emerge as a leader to rival Vieira and Adams. He inspires this Arsenal side. His technical ability was never in doubt. In fact, the likes of Bergkamp, Henry, Van Basten, and Cruyff have testified glowingly on behalf of his footballing skill.

Return of the Prodigal Son

Cesc sets up Arshavin for the second against Braga at home in last year's Champions League group stage.

I still have mixed feelings about Fabregas' departure. It's probably too early yet in the post-Cesc Arsenal era to give it the proper perspective. It does seem apropos however to give this drawing an airing on the day he returns to London. He’ll only face Theo from the current side, which will perhaps mean to him that it seems like he is still playing for us against the old enemies. Without getting into what his departure has meant to our side [both good and bad] or into slagging off his current club, I will say that I am glad he is doing well. He is a truly immense footballer and in the end it has been privilege to watch him do what he does best. 

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Thomas Vermaelen

Crush. Kill. Destroy.

Just what we've been missing in defense. The cold dead eyes of a killer. 

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