Arsenal: Has Arteta silenced the doubters after Spurs win?

Mikel Arteta’s Summer Signings Have Hit the Ground Running

Aaron Ramsdale seems at least in the short stretch we have seen to be the perfect keeper for Arteta’s vision. A good shot-stopper, acrobatic (that fingertip save was a thing of beauty), and perhaps most importantly, he is superb with the ball at his feet as Arteta wants to play out from the back. On top of that, his passion and drive is infectious to the rest of the squad and finally it seems Arsenal has a keeper that they, and the defense, can rely on.

Then there is Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu. While White had his issues against Brentford in the Premier League opener, since his return he has hardly put a foot wrong and like Ramsdale, with the ball at his feet, he can start attacks from deep. He is the cream on top of a partnership with Gabriel who is fast becoming the heart, soul, and leader of the defense.

After several pundits questioned White after the Brentford game, he has produced consistent performances and blanketed Harry Kane superbly well.

As for Tomiyasu, what else needs to be said? Many have said he’s one of the best right-backs in the league – that might be a little premature – but you can’t argue with what he has produced in the opening three games of his Arsenal career.

Tomiyasu has now established himself as a quality defender who can do it all, and he effectively shut down the entire right-hand side of the field against Spurs, taking Son Heung-min out of the game in the process. His pace, aerial prowess, defensive doggedness coupled with his willingness to get forward and support make him an all-purpose right-back.

The players mentioned are all players Arteta has signed himself for his vision. Not to leave out Albert Sambi Lokonga, who while raw has already shown his promise and has been superb whenever called upon, as well as Martin Odegaard whose made an impressive start in his second spell at the club.

Arteta deserves high praise for his signings after fans and journalists have torn him to shreds over the players mentioned. And, so far, it is looking like superb scouting as all have fit in sensationally well. This shouldn’t go unnoticed.

So, has Arteta silenced the doubters to his Arsenal position? To an extent, yes, but it is only a minor sample size so far. We have seen just what Arteta can do with a full squad in a handful of outings. It is about consistency now.

For Arteta to quiet the naysayers then he needs to oversee wins against Brighton and Crystal Palace in the next two Premier League games to begin putting his stamp on the club and the position he has. Going by what we have seen over the last month, Arsenal and Arteta are showing signs of life after years in the wilderness and that makes the Emirates an exciting place to be.