Jeremy Docteur, known on Twitter as @BackoTheDoc, is a Franco-Australian Gooner with a spark of interest in tactics and the atmosphere of football in general. Jeremy is the Goonersphere tactical analysis and Ligue 1 expert and will be writing incredible tactical analyses as well as giving us the lowdown on the noises coming from Ligue 1.
Mikel Arteta has been a key player for the Gunners for 3 years now, after he landed in North London from Everton on a very busy transfer deadline day in 2011. Although his multifaceted role has evolved throughout the years, his importance in the team has never changed. His importance is underlined to the extent of being named Arsenal’s vice-captain (although since Vermaelen is no longer a starter he is more like Arsenal’s permanent captain).
Unlike my countries, France and Australia, present times at Arsenal are looking positive and promising. We've had some very hard days as Arsenal supporters, contending with unrelenting mocking from rival supporters and media pundits displaying nothing but contempt for Arsenal over the last few years. Maybe I am making the situation darker than it actually is but who needs to pay attention to teasing when you have Özil?
It wasn’t exactly the scenario the fans expected for the return of the Arsenal. The club has been facing hard times throughout the years and this summer is surely one of them. There is divergence among the fans on whether Wenger has come to the end of his spell, and the team didn't start the season brilliantly. However, the season may have really started after that result: Arsenal was defeated 3-1 at the Emirates but gave the perfect reaction against Fernerbahce in the Champions League and on Saturday against Fulham. In both games the Gunners scored three goals on the road and only conceded once – which can be seen as a real performance considering the serious squad issue the club is facing.
