Mikel Arteta- The Enigma

Tic-toc, tic-toc, tic-toc, tic-toc…. It’s not a clock; it’s just football in the simplest form courtesy of Mikel Arteta. Composed, assured in possession, good body balance and a class act when it comes to football artistry!

Arsene wrapped up the deal for Arteta few minutes to dead line, the fact that Arteta wanted to join us, took a wage slash says so much about how beautiful football played under Wenger’s managerial eagle eye attracts technically gifted players. I have always believed his talent coupled with our brand of football, is romance made in heaven.

Arteta has defined all my theory about football evolution. Gone are the days, when there was the “Makelele role”; a combative roaming tackler where all he does is, break up play and give to the playmaker. Football has gone beyond that.

At Everton, he played as an attacking midfielder, sometimes as a second striker but things have changed since he switched clubs. Now playing deep in midfield as a box-to-box, deep-lying playmaker, he is a beauty to watch.

Since the departure of Gilberto, we have failed to land a “Ticking” midfielder; nothing flamboyant just ticks the game, settles the nerves and dictates the game at his own tempo. The closest we came to that was Jack Wilshere!

Fab Replacement?

Few players can match up with Fabregas’ vision and passing range, Arteta inclusive. The former Arsenal captain is unarguably the best passer of the ball in his generation. He times his runner to perfection, the speed of the ball to the runner is always inch-perfect.. (Arsenal vs Dynamo Kiev, assist for Bendtner).

To fill such shoes is something close to impossibility. Rather than search for Fab’s replacement, and continue the monopoly playmaking (one channel game), Wenger brought Arteta in as a ticking playmaker. The reason Alex Song has flourished so much this season is down to Arteta’s classy football IQ.

The less you see him, the more efficient he is. Like we say here in Nigeria, he is a “Pass and Relax” sort of player. A natural leader, another plus for Arsenal is that he shoots from long range!

Written by Adesina TosinFollow him on Twitter @gingerstiffPlease like O-Posts on FacebookFollow the site on Twitter