Ex Arsenal skipper Frank McLintock was happy about the defensive performance Arsenal put on at Dortmund and thinks that Mertesacker has a true chance to become a leader for the club and that the defense is a lot stronger since he came.
The former Gunner told reporters following the Champions League match: “Arsenal sat back a bit but they defended well in the second half. I’m hoping Mertesacker can become a leader for Arsenal. He’s tall enough and has got plenty of caps for Germany, so hopefully he will become a big star.”
McLintock also thinks that in the Premier League battle there is only place for two teams this season. The two teams from Manchester will have to fight for the title and, according to him, the start to the year the two teams had should terrify even the toughest of teams from England.
“It’s looking like the Manchester teams,”
“United have started so well and City,in the two games I’ve seen, have looked fantastic and Nasri and Silva look great.”
“But it does look a bit like Rangers and Celtic down here!”
Arsenal lost a very important tempo in the start of the Premier League, but the same thing happened last season with Chelsea that were pulling away after just a few games, and then they fell out of form for a while. Right now United and City seem favourites, but you never know what can happe,n whatever McLintock says!
I despair when an experienced footballer like McLintock starts forecasting who will finish top of the EPL, EIGHT MONTHS FROM NOW.
How can he possibly know the triumphs and disasters that will emerge on EVERYBODY between now and the end of the season.
I wish these amateur psychics would have the sense to keep their crazy views to themselves.
Defense was our major problem last season. If we have improved there, and we have brought in some effective midfield signing and an attacker, I see no reason why Arsenal should be written off from the title. There will surely be twists and turns in the next 34 premiership games. Certainly, one or both of Chelsea and Man U will drop points this weekend and we will have an opportunity to close the gap a bit – if we win. To write us off at this point will be foolhardy.