Also published here.
1) Half Vidic, Half Keown
Ver-ma-what? Twenty three years old? 5'11" ? All questions of the past, as the Belgian has taken to the Premier League like that old duck took to water. Not only has he formed an impressive partnership with a rejuvenated William Gallas, but is also topping the Arsenal goalscoring charts. Many have likened the "Verminator" to Manchester United center half Nemanja Vidic, more for his appearance, or even his "stare", but overall, the lad's more like a modern, Belgian Martin Keown. Not the best defender technically, but like Keown, more than makes up for it with a lot of heart and "bottle", as the English call it.
2) We Like Eboue-Boue, We Like Eboue-Boue!
That's not me speaking on behalf of Goal.com, it's a new chant doing the rounds at the Emirates, to the tune of "I like to move it move it"! Emmanuel Eboue has seen it all during his Arsenal career, from being touted as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in the world, to being booed, called a misfit, and a cheater. However, after a string of impressive performances in 2009, Eboue has become a cult figure of sorts in North London, and is hugely popular among his teammates as well, and if you notice, is always involved in every Arsenal goal celebration when he's on the pitch.
3) Arsenalization
Yes, it's exactly what it sounds like. The complaint for the last three seasons was that while the Emirates Stadium was a fantastic, modern structure, it wasn't "home" enough for the Arsenal fans, like Highbury was. So under the stewardship of CEO Ivan Gazidis, the stadium was "Arsenalized". The idea is to decorate the exterior and interior of the ground with past moments of glory, and with players who did the club proud. The question is, when will and of the current squad get up on the walls of the stadium?
4) Ro-sick-y Steps Out Of The Treatment Room
It must have been like one of those scenes where a convict sees daylight after 15 years in prison, when Tomas Rosicky finally got off the treatment table, and made it to the ground. Rosicky is a class act in midfield, and his quality and experience is what Arsenal have missed immensely over the last year and a half. One of the "old" players at Arsenal at 29, his experience will come in handy this season for the Gunners.
5) Senderos Isn't Sent Away
Phillipe Senderos means a lot more to Arsenal than just another center back. He's their official translator. And by official, I mean unofficial. On a more serious note, he speaks six languages. That's right, six! English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese, and according to a few highly placed sources at the club, he's learning Bengali to keep up with the other translators in this fast, unforgiving world. Maybe he could help someone like a Subrata Paul settle in at Arsenal, soon?
6) Formation Working Wonders
Arsene Wenger thought long and hard during the summer on what to change about his squad. He never liked spending money, and didn't want to bring seasoned campaigners to play ahead of his kids, so he changed the whole darn system. It has almost proved to be a masterstroke, in the sense that Arsenal are finally recreating some of their magic up front, which we haven't seen since 2006. Some of their play against Blackburn was their best in the last two or three seasons. The only danger remains injuries in defensive positions, and if Cesc goes missing.
7) Cesc Is All Smiles
Fabregas looked a shadow of himself last season. He hardly shaved throughout the campaign, and looked morose most of the times. Not surprising, if most of your best friends leave the club after a season in which you almost won the league title. Moreover, he seemed slightly burdened with captaincy, and looked a little lonely. Although the stubble's still there, the Spaniard looks a lot happier with his role in midfield this time around, and with players like Arshavin, Rosicky, and Vermaelen playing regularly, he looks happy and is back to his best, notching up a staggering four assists in a single game against Blackburn. And yes, he scored in that game too.
8) Don Vito Makes An Offer You Can't Resist
Well, it's not just about Vito Mannone, but more about two young 'keepers, Mannone and Szczesny, making their mark at the club, giving Wenger a plethora of options in goal. Almunia has been disappointing since the season began, and with Fabianski injured, the two young lads have come in and put in some great performances, none more so than Mannone at Craven Cottage, where he single-handedly won Arsenal the game. When was the last time Arsenal's goalkeeper won them a match on his own? That question makes you think, and eventually realize that Almunia, despite being a solid and steady goalie, isn't the kind who will win his team matches.
9) "Sylvester" Can't Get A Game
Probably one of the biggest factors in Arsenal's good form this season. Mikael Silvestre was a disaster at the Emirates last term, so much so that one shareholder described him as "geriatric" at the end of the season at the AGM. Many Arsenal fans are still living in the fear of him starting a league or Champions League game for the club, which hasn't happened thus far as Vermaelen and Gallas have done well. With the taller, quicker, but equally error-prone Senderos waiting in the wings as well, it'll be interesting to see who Wenger calls on when injury strikes.
10) A Big Squad!
Probably the most surprising of all, Wenger has amazing depth in his squad this season, barring just one position, that in defensive midfield. With three playing up front, he can choose from any of Van Persie, Bendtner, Eduardo, Arshavin, Rosicky, Walcott, Nasri, Vela, Wilshere and even Eboue at times. Both fullbacks, centre backs, and the goalkeeper have sufficient cover, whereas two out of the three midfielders can be any of Fabregas, Denilson, Diaby, Rosicky, Nasri, and Ramsey. Which leaves us to the lonely Alex Song, who is living a charmed life at the moment. If he is unfit, Wenger will have problems, which means that he will have to buy in January, when Song merrily trots off to Africa for the African Cup of Nations.
