It was half season already, and Arsenal - once again - underwent drastic changes. Robin van Persie, whom Wenger build the team around, went to rival, Manchester United, and Wenger was forced to rebuild his team. Alex Song, another importang player in last season, was sold to Barcelona in a cheap transfer fee, only around 15 million pounds.
Wenger had anticipated the departure of van Persie, by signing Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski, even before Robin van Persie declared himself that he would leave. However, for Alex Song case, Wenger didn't buy direct replacement, instead he bought Santi Cazorla, and with the return of Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta was pushed into a deeper role, as a deep lying playmaker, a position which Song played last season.
Permanent Transfer
IN :
Olivier Giroud (Montpellier)
Lukas Podolski (FC Koln)
Santi Cazorla (Malaga)
OUT :
Robin van Persie (Manchester United)
Alex Song Billong (Barcelona)
Carlos Vela (Real Sociedad)
Henri Lansbury (Nottingham Forest)
Manuel Almunia (Watford)
Kyle Bartley (Swansea)
1. Olivier Giroud
He came from Montpellier with a big burden to replace the talisman Robin van Persie, and he even admitted came to Arsenal at the wrong time. He could be said disappointing, only because he was compared to brilliant van Persie. People had forgotten that he was not the same player like van Persie. He is even a different type of player from RvP. Giroud is an old-fashioned, but hardworking targetman. He might not possess the flair, but he is aerially strong and could hold the ball well, and if he is provided good support, he could be deadly, like he did in Ligue 1 last season, becoming the top scorer.
He endured torrid spells in few first games, made some awful miss against Sunderland, Chelsea, and also Manchester United. However, he did improve few games after that, and after opening his goal account against Conventry, he scored two goals against Fulham and one against Tottenham, plus setting up two goals against Montpellier, which ensures Arsenal qualify to next round.
Olivier Giroud after his first Arsenal goal
The problem now is the team selection. He is not guaranted starter, as Wenger sometimes even prefer lacksture Gervinho starts upfront instead of him. Theo Walcott, who stated that he wants to play centrally, finally started the game in central against Reading, and he did well in that game, a possibility which would restrict his first team appearance.
Seven goals from 24 appearances in total, 4 goals in the league from 16 games, is not the best thing you can get from the striker. However, given that this is his first season, and often he held the ball well during the game to open the space for the team mates, Olivier Giroud has arguably done a decent job.
TRANSFER RATING : 7 / 10
2. Lukas Podolski
Signed from relegated FC Koln, Podolski is another player expected to replace van Persie, beside Olivier Giroud. The Gooners saw it, both of them had a wonderful left foot and capable of scoring beautiful goals, both of them is the talisman and captain of the club last season, and Podolski had more than 100 caps in his bag. He easily become one of fans favourite after a good starts, as he scored one against Liverpool and a screamer against Southampton. However, he had been inconsistent, and failed to keep his good form throughout October and November - despite scoring a wonder goal against Montpellier.
He is no natural left winger - he declared himself would prefer play in the central position , but Wenger had been using him in the left flank, and only started in the central in the first game against Sunderland. He often plays cutting inside, and is very composed in one on one with keeper, complemented with good first touch, but sometimes his shooting from left hand side is too often wide from the target. However, his crossing was quite good, especially in the last game against Reading, he did make two assist to Cazorla, after a largely average month for the German. His workrate has been a positive notes also, he wasn't afraid to challenge players in their own area.
Lukas Podolski celebrated his goal against Reading
He is the second top scorer below Theo Walcott, with eight goals, three goals less than Walcott, but he is Arsenal's top scorer in Champions League - looks like he enjoys playing in the Champions League. He could be utilized more in the central striker, but as Arsene deploys 4-2-3-1, it is very hard for him to play in the central, but probably if Wenger switched to 4-4-2 Podolski could do better upfront.
TRANSFER RATING : 7 / 10
3. Santi Cazorla
It was a coup, considering Wenger bought him only around 16 million from Malaga, for the World Cup and Euro winner in age of 28. He plays in Rosicky's position last season - forcing Rosicky out of first team - and has largely enjoyed his role in that position. Integrated easily with Arsenal's game, he is now top scorer of Arsenal in the Premier League with seven goals after his hattrick against Reading. Capable of scoring magic goals - against West Ham and Manchester United, with great vision, plus great passing ability, that's what we can expect from Cazorla, and so far, he has been very impressive, pleasing the Gooners and not disappointing any of the expectations.
Santi Cazorla enjoyed a good spell with Arsenal
He had been pulling the strings in the midfield with Arteta, Ramsey and Wilshere, with his long ball. He reminds me of Cesc Fabregas, with a better shooting ability. His midfield trio with Arteta and Wilshere in the recent games has been quite well, except in the game against Aston Villa and Swansea.Wenger should be more careful of playing Cazorla continuously if he wants Cazorla to stays in his best, as he might become jaded. It is actually quite interesting to see both Rosicky and Cazorla plays together in pitch, another alternative for Wenger, should he rest Jack Wilshere in the central of the park. His corner actually has been quite disappointing for his standard. Arsenal only scored one corner goal from Cazorla's pass. However, beside that corner setup, Cazorla has arguably a perfect transfer for the Gunners.
If Arsenal flies high this season, Cazorla surely would become one of the main protagonists. Easily the best transfer for Arsenal, and one of the best transfers this season in Premier League.
TRANSFER RATING : 10 / 10
OVERALL COMING TRANSFER : 8 / 10
They bought who they need, and not buying any unusable first team player, like last year they did to Park Ju-Yong, buying him only to see he played in the League Cup few times. This time Wenger also buy someone who is already at their peak. Giroud is 26, Podolski is 27, and Cazorla is 28. Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski was a sensible replacement for van Persie, and despite yet to reach the same level as van Persie, Giroud and Podolski have done decent jobs so far. Santi Cazorla is a brilliant addition to the squad, adding some flair - and set piece experts - Arsenal needs. This is proabably one of the best buying policy Arsenal had in the recent years.
OVERALL TRANSFER : 6 / 10
It was a good buying policy, but it was not a good selling policy. It is never a good idea to sell your best players, especially to your rival, and now Manchester United is enjoying the coup of Robin van Persie, as Arsenal struggled from times to times when they need someone like him, who could create something out of nothing. The selling of Alex Song had little impact as Arteta fits the position very well, despite playing as a attacking midfielder in most of his career. Carlos Vela, Henri Lansbury, and Kyle Bartley were once a promising youngster but they were deemed a surplus by Wenger, and they were sold. Personally I would love to see Vela playing in Arsenal instead of being sold, but probably Wenger sees that Vela doesn't suit EPL's physical approach. Manuel Almunia was wisely released as Szczesny firmly hold the first place and he is no longer young - Almunia is 35 already.
