It's been a calendar year of records for Robin van Persie. Not only did he mark his century at Arsenal, but he also set the club record for Premier League goals in a calendar year, and he also set a Premier League record for consecutive away games scored in (9, in case you were asking). Oh, and along the way he's been the catalyst of Arsenal's revival, as they moved from 17th on the 18th of September to 4th on the last day of 2011.

Furthermore, almost every single goal has been important. There's the equaliser against Barcelona, Birmingham and West Brom; winners against Norwich, Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund. His goal scoring feats have been tremendous; only Cristiano Ronaldo has a better scoring rate this season in Europe (Yeah, what now!? Lionel Who?). In 2011, Robin van Persie has evolved from a scorer of great goals to a great goal scorer.

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The George Graham Era was one of the more prosperous at Arsenal; 6 trophies, including 2 leagues and a cup winners cup, in 8 seasons. Yet, the time is often looked back upon with disdain by many non-Arsenal fans and some Arsenal fans, for the boring, turgid style of football apparently played by Arsenal. The 1990-91 Arsenal side epitomises that generalisation; they conceded only 18 goals, a record that would stand until Arsene Wenger's 1998-99 side conceded only 17. That however, ignores the 74 goals that they scored, and the 73 scored by the 1989 championship winning side, a record that saw the latter team win the league on goals scored.

While the back 4 of those two teams--Dixon, Bould, Adams, Winterburn--would become the famous members of those sides, with players such as Michael Thomas, David Rocastle and Paul Merson, Arsenal would never be a launch it up to the big man (Alan Smith) side. While not as fluid as today's Arsenal, or the Invincibles, the teams of the early reign of George Graham played quite good football, and should be remembered for that.

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A skillful midfielder who originated out of Barcelona's academy, originally as a defensive midfielder in the mould of his hero, Pep Guardiola. A player who saw his chances blocked by Xavi and Andres Iniesta, and thus, left Barcelona and the country as a teenager. A player who was pushed into a more attacking role and has since flourished. An excellent passer of the ball. You can be forgiven for believing that the person depicted above was Cesc Fabregas. However, it is Arsenal's new Spanish maestro that is the subject of that description. 

However, that is all the two midfielders share in common. While many regarded Arteta as a "poor man's" Cesc Fabregas, that comparison does a disservice to someone who has been proving that he is as influential as the former Arsenal captain. Having played in every Arsenal match since joining, aside from the Carling Cup, he has not needed an excessive time to bed in, looking comfortable in the red and white strip from the first minute against Swansea City, two months ago. In that game, he did exactly what was asked of him; provide a techinical security, offering to receive the ball, and then make a good pass to either Andrey Arshavin, Theo Walcott, Aaron Ramsey or Robin van Persie. He took on a more defensive role than he usually played at Everton, but, his adaptability, to a different role and a different club, highlights his football intelligence, something that makes him a huge asset to Arsenal. 

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I figured that since the Interlull continues, and we're all bored out of our damn skulls waiting for the Arsenal to come back, I'd try to start a new trendy feature here at The Short Fuse. I got this idea from similar things 7500 to Holte and Toblerone Jones have done (among others, I assume...but these are the people who inspired me); the hardest part was coming up with an inventive title for the whole thing. I went with something that I learned on the Indianapolis punk message boards as a youth (read: the past couple of years). So, without any further ado, Gervinho appresh thread go!

I like new players. It's part of why, against all odds, I actually sort of enjoy the transfer madness that gets planted around this time of year and grows slowly into a maniacal, horrifically beautiful monster flower in January. The first time a new player puts on the shirt it's pure potential and possibility - you know nothing of what's to come, whether a player could grow into one of the greatest in the club's history, or just a footnote. But you hope for glory.

I have no idea what Gervinho's final place in Arsenal lore will be. Obviously that's impossible to predict, and at some point in the future I may turn on him, like I've had to turn on other players I've liked in the past. It's early, but I am a dyed-in-the-wool Gervinho fanboy already. He's not the best player in the world, and he certainly isn't a perfect player. But his strengths are almost perfectly aligned with the things I love most in a footballer.

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