Who would have believed it?
Gervinho has become the most dangerous threat down the wings since the days of Pires and Ljungberg.
The man with the mop on his head has added a dimension to the Arsenal attack that has been missing for years. Directness.
Arsenal have always had pace, but in recent years too many players have been played out of position and moved out to the wing when their natural instincts see them play through the middle. Arshavin, Rosicky, Nasri, and Hleb all play centrally for their respective countries and former clubs, yet were forced out to the wing by Arsene in order to fit the system. All of these players have had exceptional skill on the ball and technique to retain possession, yet would rather build the play from their feet rather than run into space.
People would complain that Arsenal would hold on to the ball with no end product, tapping the ball around the box while the fans screamed at them to shoot. We became familiar with this Arsenal.
With the change in personnel over the summer the tactics have changed, and for the better. The pace across the front line strikes fear into the hearts of opposing defenders across Europe. Arsenal once again look like a team that can rip you open in seconds, hit on the counter before given a chance to blink, a trademark characteristic of the title winning sides of yesteryear.
Gervinho has been key to this transformation with his direct style. I’ll be the first to admit I wasn’t thrilled by his signing as I had my eyes on the prize that was his teammate Eden Hazard, and I knew his signing would negate that possible transfer. But then I started to look at what Gervinho brought to the table. He led Ligue 1 in assists last season and also chipped in 15 league goals. He tries to run in behind the defense at any chance and keeps the defenders wary of his movement. Gervinho’s runs are reminiscent of Freddie in his pomp, slicing and dicing his way through defenses with blistering pace.
The most remarkable characteristic I noticed from his first matches with Arsenal was his sense of balance. The way he runs at defenders, cutting left and right yet never losing his balance, looking like a slalom skier. Whenever he picks up the ball there is no hesitation, he forces the play and goes straight for goal. His blossoming understanding with Robin van Persie has led to many a goal and should bear fruit for the considerable future.
I’m starting to believe that Wenger should adapt his transfer policy to only signing Africans with dodgy hair, it’s working wonders at the moment. Song reminds me of some sort of dinosaur, Sagna… well words can not explain, and Gervinho looks like the product of a cocaine-fueled Rick James encounter with a mop he mistook for a groupie.
That said, there is some good news as the paternity battle between Rick James and Verdine White has been settled.
Both were claiming Gervais as his own after his rise to fame in France, but the DNA results came back conclusive, and there was no mistaking that forehead DNA, a clear match for Verdine.
As exciting as it must be for Gervinho to be united with his father, Arsenal fans will have to temper their excitement as he will be joining his father and Earth, Wind, and Fire on their Roots tour this January in Africa.
Arsenal will have to make do without his services for a month as he boogies the nights away. Be sure to check out his goal celebrations in the meantime as he’ll be sure to be brushing up on his dance moves.
A little preview of what you can expect from him in coming months.
Let’s Groove…