Yossi Benayoun; The Gunners' secret bullet?

Saying that the summer of 2011 has not been a pleasant one for the fans, the manager or anybody else connected to Arsenal Football Club is something of an understatement. It has been one littered with transfer speculation surrounding the players that have shone over the past 6 trophy less seasons at the Emirates. Francesc Fabregas, the heartbeat of the club for the majority of those years and midfield wizard, finally left to return to his boyhood side F.C Barcelona after their two year pursuit of the player. Above this, Fabregas' former colleagues Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy departed in search of new challenges with Arsenals title rivals, Manchester City.

Wenger left hung out to dry after his sides 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool.

Many believe that these departures along with the 8-2 drubbing that Arsenal faced at Old Trafford in late August, lead Arsene Wenger to panic buy. The Frenchman brought in 6ft6 inch German centre back Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen, Spanish attacking midfielder Mikel Arteta from Everton and attacking Brazillian left back Andre Santos from Fenerbahce. The trio seemed to have lifted the spirits a little among the Arsenal faithful and have seemingly forged a couple of good results; a hard fought 1-0 victory over Premier League new boys Swansea City and a respectable 1-1 draw away to German champions Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Those three signings were also complimented by the whitty one year loan signing of former Liverpool and West Ham star Yossi Benayoun. 

Encouragement for the Arsenal fans.

Whilst there are a few fans that are over the moon with the addition of the Israeli captain, many seem to see it as a lackluster signing, one that underlines the clubs lack of ambition since the spine of Arsenals unbeaten team left for pastures new. However, I am one of the few fans that has been left delighted by Benayouns arrival.

Arsenals 'Invincibles' - None remain.

At a tender age, Benayoun conquered the Israeli Liga Leumit and in his 5 year stay with both Hapoel Be'er Sheva and Maccabi Haifa, he scored 70 goals between the ages of 16 and 21 years old. Following his success in Israel, Benayoun knew it was time to move on to better things and in the summer of 2002 he moved to La Liga outfit Racing Santander, where he would bag an impressive 21 goals for his club over 3 seasons, playing as a central midfielder. He then secured his dream move to the English Barclays Premier League, displaying his quality at West Ham United where he really made his name. The Upton Park faithful saw their new hero score 9 goals and contribute 13 vital assists between 2005 and 2007, helping them to retain Premier League status. Footballing giants Liverpool then moved for Benayoun after he impressed coach Rafa Benitez in the 2006 FA Cup Final bout between the two respective sides.

Benayoun in his West Ham days.

Anfield was the place where the Israeli international could weave his magic without any pressure as the big summer signings that were being spoke about amongst the Kop were Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel. However, Torres' success at Liverpool was largely down to his slender Israeli team mate. Torres praised Benayoun highly and frequently, stating "I need a player like him with a quality pass, always looking for the striker. I always say to him that if I was manager, he'd always play." After 3 years, 30 goals and 17 assists, Benayoun swapped red for blue as he put pen to paper on a contract at Stamford Bridge.

Torres and Benayoun combination results in another goal at Villa Park.

Benayoun's time in West London was plagued by injury, this lead to a long time on the sidelines and was the reason that he only managed one goal and one Champions League assist in the 2010/2011 season. Benayoun is now 31 years of age, however he looks to be over his injury problems that lead to his dip in form last season, yet the question still remains on whether or not he can recapture the form that had culminated in him being a fans favorite in years gone by.

Benayoun desperately trying to regain fitness at Chelsea.

I believe this is a fresh start for him, one that will allow him to express himself on the football pitch freely and the way he wants to. He may not be the 'Eden Hazard' or 'Mario Götze' type signing that would have took the Arsenal fans' breaths away, however he is a player packed with ability and experience, he most certainly has what it takes to prove a success at the Emirates and could play a vital role in the clubs attempted rebirth. Arsenal are well known for there free flowing attacking style of play, this and the fact that striker Robin Van Persie knows that additions to the squad such as Benayoun and Arteta can feed his craving for service that he has been starved of since Fabregas' departure, makes the combination of Yossi Benayoun and Arsenal Football Club a match made in heaven, I'm sure that the little Israeli will provide the ammunition that the Gunners so badly need in order to fire there way to the helm of European and World football once again.

Benayoun parading in his new colours.


Charlie Shanks