Dennis 'god' Bergkamp At Hand To Pass The Baton, Mesut Ozil MIA

I was up for a six, but in the end it was three points, a three goal difference gained and three different scorers in a 4-1 mauling of Sunderland at the Emirates. To be honest I expected more of the black cats, something close to the verve of their display in the first twenty minutes or so of the second half.

The flying Dutchman. Image BBC/PA

A lot of positives from this game, first to mind is the consistency we have shown, now in two consecutive games, to impose ourselves early on.  For huge swatches of this season, we have been stronger as the game wore on the.

This ‘patient play’ approach has done some obvious good, but as Liverpool (we were on the receiving end here), the Bayern Munich game (where we had the ‘best team in the world’ on the ropes) and Southampton (an example of the most lethargic of starts to a game) illustrated, a controlled gung-ho approach is an important arsenal in one’s armory.

What was most pleasing is that this high energy start came in the heels of energy sapping 50+ minutes of chasing shadows against Bayern in midweek. The choice of the starting cast (finally some squad rotation- another plus) against Sunderland played its hand with Arteta stealing the show acting as the sinoatrial node, setting the pace for a pulsating attack.

Jack was at his best with archetypal thrusts from deep, to hug the edge of the Sunderland box and be available for that decisive, extra, deft touch. (a)Santi Cazorla, his usual self, putting a thorough attack and defense shift on the right, you only can thank him. Little Mozart strum the strings with so much gusto allowing Wenger to conclude that his number 10 display was the closest Arsenal had witnessed since the now immortalized Dennis ‘god’ Bergkamp.

I wonder how long Ozil’s ‘injury’ will keep him out; however, with Rosicky and Cazorla in such fine form and at the same time insanely telepathically wired, we can afford to let the German recuperate and get some of that juice tonic that they fed Giroud-does-things-in-twos. After which we then let him loose against Bayern in Munich and enjoy a Napoli-like sit-back-and-enjoy performance.

Too sad it is that the happenings of yesterday denied Arsenal fans to witness the future unfold with the passing of the baton from Dennis ‘god’ Bergkamp to Mesut Ozil. I know the Ozil to Arsenal digest is getting tired, but in many ways, parallels can be drawn between the transfers of the two to Arsenal.

In a wrap, both were marquee signings that heralded THE moment (though the jury’s still out on Ozil). Those moments in time that punctuates the 150 year history of our great Arsenal. In fact, if ever the Arsenal story were told in the style of great players, there would be a post-Bergkamp era and we sure hope and wait to regale to our kids the magic of the post-Ozil era.

As we wrap up, allow me this African analogy. Among the Marachi sub-tribe of the Luhya community of western Kenya, certain rituals accompany the burial of any one of a set of twins who is survived by their womb-mate. These rites are an apt example of a body of almost homogeneous traditional African beliefs that surrounded multiple pregnancies.

In a deviation from the norm of most African burial ceremonies, a prolonged eventful affair, the deceased should be buried in an expeditious manner, as it is believed that any delays might occasion the untimely demise(or some misfortune) of the surviving twin. The thinking here MIGHT have been: “they came into this world together and might as well leave together.”

More, the surviving twin is to no way be involved in the send off of their kin, including but not limited to, not being in close proximity with the deceased. Back to the 21^st century and homing  on to Arsenal, what better cherry on the cake; pardon, how legendary would it have been to have Mesut Ozil do a Rosicky on Sunderland, with that act of football wizardry being the climax of the day of the unveiling of Dennis ‘god’ Bergkamp statue at the Emirates? 

But it is what it is.

To Dennis ‘god’ Bergkamp, a Swahili saying: “Chanda chema huvikwa pete.” To Mesut Ozil, if #DB10 spoke some German am sure the chatter between you immortals is best summed by “Anfangen ist leicht, beharren eine Kunst”.

Ozil, may you pertake huge gulps of that Gaul Asterix-era concoction and come back pumped up like pop-eye (pun non-intended) on spinach. We are behind you mate! To the rest of us mortals, chow down the last week of February in the manner that we blanked Sunderland; or should I say, “fortune favors the bold.”

A blessed, prosperous week you all Arsenalii Damu!

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