Premier League Nonsense

Back in July of this year Arsene Wenger went out and spent some money. Instead of signing a defender which the whole world felt he needed he went and signed another wide player. Another one to join the likes of Theo Walcott, Andrei Arsharvin, Samir Nasri and Emmanuel Eboue. Arsenal fans scratched their heads. Why another wide player when we are so painfully in need of doing something about our porous rearguard.

Wenger’s magic touch in the transfer market had seemed to have dried up over recent years with several big money signings, big by Arsenal’s minimart standards, failed to make any real impact. Just what could Gervinho bring to the team that wasn’t already there?

Well he marked his debut, away to Newcastle United, with a red card on the opening day of the season, being suckered in by Joey Barton. A less than stellar introduction to the English Premier League for the Ivory Coast international but perhaps a lesson that needed learning when you consider the quietness and politeness of the current Arsenal squad.

His suspension also meant he missed the horror shows against Liverpool and Manchester United when Arsenal’s paper thin squad was exposed for what it was.

Despite that early set back at St James’ Park, Gervinho has settled in well at the club though it is his skipper Robin van Persie who has been getting all the curtain calls so far this season. But Gervinho has impressed with his pace and directness, his willingness to run at opponents and get to the bye line. A far cry from the pat a cake football Arsenal fans have been used to over recent years or the inconsistency of Theo Walcott.

Gervinho netted 15 times last season for Lille as they went on to win the French Ligue One but Wenger will have noticed the Ivorian international had also provided 10 assists for his team mates. And it’s that form he has replicated so quickly this season with five assists in his opening 10 games for the Arsenal, two coming against Stoke City for van Persie.

When you add his two goals to those assists there is an argument that Gervinho has settled in far quicker to Arsene Wenger’s way of doing things rather quicker than the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robert Pires and look how their careers panned out.

Now that Arsenal are settling into some form after a shocking start to the season much of the spotlight has been on skipper van Persie’s impressive goal scoring form. Wenger may be happy that continues while Gervinho keeps doing the business off the radar.

# posted by Me @ 4:47 PM