Pat Rice, Arteta, and Benayoun – It’s only a matter of time, we’ll get There .

Just a quick one! It’s two games and we are gradually exorcising the ghosts of that loss at OT. A hard fought 1-1 draw at the home of German Champions is not a bad result by anyone’s standards. So we can be happy we have that one out of the way. Being the optimistic type, it was one point gained rather than 2 lost.

The boys have been doing a lot of talking after the game at Dortmund, stressing the importance of team spirit and belief. The boys look prepared to prove doubters wrong, we can only hope their legs can cash the cheques their lips have been writing.

Starting with Mikel Arteta; who credited former captain Cesc Fàbregas with helping him in settling to life at the club, the former Everton man has urged for a bit of patience from the Gooners for the team. Said He,

“I talked to him the day after I signed the contract and he advised me on two or three things,” said Arteta. To be honest he was really nice to me. He advised me on the areas to live, about the team-mates, about the Club and how good it is and the people here. It was very good.”

According to our Spanish midfielder (the new one that is), the players will be working hard to attain the high expectations (of us) of them and went further to state the club has the quality players that can see the club genuinely challenge for titles, though admitting the team would have to ensure it kept itself in contention to challenge for such trophies.

Israeli captain Yossi Benayoun shared same sentiments with Mikel, he believed signing for Arsenal was an easy choice.

“It was agreed between me and Chelsea to wait until the last day so see if they bring in another player. I knew I had a few offers and when Arsenal came it was an easy choice. For me, it was great opportunity for me to play in a great club and in the Champions League.”

He also opined that the club does have very good players in addition to himself and the other new faces at the Emirates, and it only is a matter of time before there is a marked improvement in performances “not just with Arteta but with the whole team”.

Meantime, Arsène Wenger’s right hand man from memoria Pat Rice believes the club have certainly “turned the corner” in lieu of our last two matches against Swansea and Borussia Dortmund.

Rice also had special praise for Per Mertesacker whom he is confident can continue his good start to his Arsenal career, as the number of times he has featured for the German national team only means “he cannot be a bad player. It is impossible”.

So with a trip to Blackburn Rovers coming up for us in the Premier League, we need to build on our performance in the last 2 games; play good “efficient” soccer or win ugly if we have to!

Some fans believe Rice may have jumped the gun in declaring that we have turned the corner? Do you agree? How can we know if truly we have?

Do let us know what you think!

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