Despite Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal squad containing five Frenchmen, as well as Franis Coquelin who is out on loan, long gone are the days that the north London side are referred to, or even joked about being the French national side. However, with the rise of German football it seems Wenger is jumping on the bandwagon, as he now six Germans operating throughout his side.
Mesut Ozil came into the Emirates on deadline day as the club’s record transfer and brought with him an abundance of belief from the fans that they would again win some silverware. His playmaking efforts at Real Madrid hadn’t gone unnoticed by Premier League spectators and he has already has an almighty difference on the pitch. The Germany international has crated 17 chances and scored twice in just five league games, while completing 87% of his passes and hitting the target with all seven of his shots. He has also scored one and made eight key passes in his three Champions League games.
Moving back into the Arsenal defence, Per Mertsesacker has become one of the most important members of the squad. His towering presence was the lynchpin to the Gunners’ success at the back end of last season and has been a huge part again this time round. He has averaged six defensive actions per game and completed 92% of his passes.
Lukas Podolski is on the sidelines at the moment, but his presence cannot be forgotten. His lightning pace and rocket of a shot has made him a fan favourite at the Emirates, as well as his cheeky personality, and he scored two goals in two games before his injury. Used mainly as a winger, Podolski scored 11 goals and made 31 key passes last season in his 33 league games – only two of which he completed the full 90 minutes.
Serge Gnabry has also featured this season. The 18-year-old has played twice in the Premier League this term and scored once, while also averaging four defensive actions per game and hitting the target with 75% of his shots.
Neither Thomas Eisfeld or Gedion Zelalem have featured in the Arsenal first team but are impressing in the reserves and the games of that type, and it can’t be too long before Wenger starts implementing them into the first team. Eisfeld also scored in the League Cup this season.
The future is bright for Arsenal, the future is German.