After early losses to Liverpool and Manchester United, nobody, especially Chelsea, saw this month’s dramatic turnaround coming.
Robin van Persie
What can you say about the Dutchman, 28 goals in 27 games surely tells its own story. That goals per game ratio is usually the preserve of Messi and Ronaldo in La Liga, which tells you everything about van Persie’s exploits this calendar year. Games against West Brom and Norwich next mean his goal tally looks sure to rise. RvP’s goals have inspired Arsenal to consecutive wins this month, the only burning question is with his contract running down can they keep him?
Gervinho
Gervinho had a difficult start to Premier League life after a red card sparked by a clash with Joey Barton. Since coming back to the team his link up play has been superb, and he looks the perfect foil for van Persie. One of the reasons van Persie is scoring so many is the space the Ivorian is creating for him, while weighing in with goals himself too.
Mikel Arteta
Arteta’s role in Arsenal’s resurgence has been much underrated, but will come as no surprise to anyone who has watched him at Everton in previous years. He has steadied a wayward midfield, making strong tackles and taking up good positions supporting the defence. Arteta was key against Chelsea, breaking up the play in midfield, and supplying the ball for van Persie’s third. He hasn’t been able to score since his opener against Blackburn, but you get the feeling there is a lot more to come as he grows to adapt further to those around him.
Aaron Ramsey
Ramsey has been the main beneficiary of Arteta’s arrival. He has been able to show his attacking flair going forward while the Spaniard drops deep, and has been weighing in with goals and assists. Against Chelsea he looked full of confidence, and back to the exciting prospect he promised to be before his terrible injury. He struggled in the first month of this season, and nobody defines the turnaround in fortunes like the Welshman. Wenger has tipped him to reach double figures in goals this season, and few would bet against that prediction.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Arsenal’s biggest summer signing may not have had an opportunity to make an impact in the Premier League yet, but in the Carling Cup he gave the club hope when they looked like sinking to unimaginable depths. After the 8-2 loss to United, Arsenal hosted Shrewsbury at home, and with the match poised evenly Oxlade-Chamberlain fired in a 25-yard strike to lift the atmosphere at the Emirates and earn the win. He followed this with a goal in the Champions League, and a hat-trick for England under 21s, showing he is more than ready. His promise has kept more established players on their toes, knowing there is a hungry youngster ready to take their place at any given moment.
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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