Next time you hear some Gooner banging on about how Fabregas is going to be a world beater just point out that Mikel is every bit as good AND Mikel will still be playing for us in two years rather than being at Barca.

This kid has the makings of a star.

The new Gullit? The lad is Special!

This kid has the makings of a star.

Never mind the Ballack, here's Obi Mikel!

has the natural talent lamps never had and comparable to fabregas. would be criminal to waste it.

Next time you hear some Gooner banging on about how Fabregas is going to be a world beater just point out that Mikel is every bit as good AND Mikel will still be playing for us in two years rather than being at Barca.

This kid has the makings of a star.

he wouldn't of been on the pitch if you'd had your way!

No I didn't say that - I said we should have brought him on for Lamps

my apologies loz...but being realistic there was no way jose was going to take lamps or ballack off and maka has been off form for weeks

If I'm not mistaking there were quite alot of people on this board that had very low oppinions of Mikel early on

Mikel will become a great player if he can learn to control his temper. The question is in what position he'll play? I think he's normaly an offensive midfielder but lately it seems as if he's been taking over Maka's role.

Can Mikel become a new Essien? If so...Thank You God

Right now I just hope JM let's him play as much as possible and at the same time make him work on his temper. Also it would be nice if all the stuff about his transfer could be settled so that he can put it behind him once and for all.

Is there any possibility for Mikel to become Mikel in the future, not Keane , not Essien, not Maka, but just Mikel with his own strong and unique abilities???

Very much so because he isn't a Keane or an Essien.

He doesn't have the tackling ferocity and defensive hustling of Keane or the energy and drive of Essien however he has a far better football brain than both of them, far quicker feet and is a lot more capable at picking out players on the break.

I see him as more of a Patrick Vieira (at his best) type midfielder than a keane or Essien type.

Very much so because he isn't a Keane or an Essien.

He doesn't have the tackling ferocity and defensive hustling of Keane or the energy and drive of Essien however he has a far better football brain than both of them, far quicker feet and is a lot more capable at picking out players on the break.

I see him as more of a Patrick Vieira (at his best) type midfielder than a keane or Essien type.

That`s what I mean.

Mikel has no such work rate as Maka has.

He has no such pace and versatility as Essien has.

As any decent player he has his own best abilities. But right now I can`t see something special, but his physical power, my mind he`s very balanced player right now, who can hold ball well, has a good passing, creativity, decision, composure and anticipation, good both attacking and defensive(can see it yesterday). May be he`s the man we were missing in our squad.

P.S. Where is Butch?? (Is he an alcoholic?? )

. But right now I can`t see something special, but his physical power, my mind he`s very balanced player right now, who can hold ball well, has a good passing, creativity, decision, composure and anticipation, good both attacking and defensive(can see it yesterday). May be he`s the man we were missing in our squad.

Typo?

. But right now I can`t see something special, but his physical power, my mind he`s very balanced player right now, who can hold ball well, has a good passing, creativity, decision, composure and anticipation, good both attacking and defensive(can see it yesterday). May be he`s the man we were missing in our squad.

Typo?

I mean he is doing everything well. But no one of his abilities is much better than all others.

aargh OK I see

My thoughts are that for someone of his age I do see something special (even if the special is just thjat his all round game is good raher than a specific strength like he is a great passer) - to be that good so young is very impressive.

I'd just like to add composure to the mix too.

He seems to stroll like Ballack but at the same time retain the ball and play the right passes. He also really zips the ball around rather than just rolling it.

I am for the first time seeing what all the fuss has been about him. I was extremely impressed with him and it is a pity he will miss 4 games now for the sending off in the cup final.

I'd just like to add composure to the mix too.

He seems to stroll like Ballack but at the same time retain the ball and play the right passes. He also really zips the ball around rather than just rolling it.

I am for the first time seeing what all the fuss has been about him. I was extremely impressed with him and it is a pity he will miss 4 games now for the sending off in the cup final.

I concur.

He does have a 'majestic' feel to him, and seems to strut around the pitch, not unlike Zidane used to? (I do feel slightly uncomfortable using that comparison, but in some ways, it's true!)

The thing that is most impressive for his age, apart from his positional sense, and composure, is that he hardly ever gives possession away!??

I noticed last night that he knows when to play it simple, or when to play a quick forward pass into feet. And the sign of a quality player ladies and gentlemen, is someone who always looks like he has time on the ball....

Play him instead of Ballack in my humble opinion.

The boy looks exceptional.

mikel is good on the ball, a natural passer of it and he makes our side work better when he's in. seems able to keep the ball much better than the other 3 and he is still so young

I would like to see him given a bit more time in the Maka role. He is big enough and strong enough to cope with the defensive duties involved, and seems to have a very good football brain.

A point to bear in mind is that the "maka" position does not have to be absolutely defensive the way that maka plays. It also suits a playmaker, as they effectively become a free player, sitting unmarked behind the midfield battle zone.

From there, they have the time and space to pick out a killer pass, or a well-timed run.

I could see us playing Mikel and Essien the same way that Milan play Pirlo and Gattuso - ie. a hard-tackling, ball winning, all-action midfielder playing IN FRONT of an excellent creative playmaker.

P.S. Where is Butch?? (Is he an alcoholic?? )

"Workaholic", more like

I've just not had as much chance to log on as I used to. It's particularly true when you do well in the BPL.

Cheers,

Butch

I'd just like to add composure to the mix too.

He seems to stroll like Ballack but at the same time retain the ball and play the right passes. He also really zips the ball around rather than just rolling it.

I am for the first time seeing what all the fuss has been about him. I was extremely impressed with him and it is a pity he will miss 4 games now for the sending off in the cup final.

I think this guy is our new Drogba! What a turnaround after just ONE game

Mind you he didn't actually show much this season. He MUST keep his head on and off the pitch. The talent is there in flashes but unlike Fabregas he doesn't have that same professionalism in him.

Maybe he's the new Edmundo.

I'd just like to add composure to the mix too.

He seems to stroll like Ballack but at the same time retain the ball and play the right passes. He also really zips the ball around rather than just rolling it.

I am for the first time seeing what all the fuss has been about him. I was extremely impressed with him and it is a pity he will miss 4 games now for the sending off in the cup final.

but unlike Fabregas he doesn't have that same professionalism in him.

Oh boy, hat was good. Professionalism and Fabregas.....

I'd just like to add composure to the mix too.

He seems to stroll like Ballack but at the same time retain the ball and play the right passes. He also really zips the ball around rather than just rolling it.

I am for the first time seeing what all the fuss has been about him. I was extremely impressed with him and it is a pity he will miss 4 games now for the sending off in the cup final.

but unlike Fabregas he doesn't have that same professionalism in him.

Oh boy, hat was good. Professionalism and Fabregas.....

You know what I mean...

Fabregas at least gave the impression of professionalism when he was a 17 year old. We all thought he would be a quiet unassuming achiever.

Then, true to Wenger's style, he 'matured' into a twat.

I like the look of Mikel as well; very smooth player, nice touch, good vision. It's early days yet and in many respects he's a bit of a secret weapon. The opposition all know about Ballack and Lamps so deal with them accordingly (with varying degrees of success). Mikel is new on the scene and is probably regarded as a bit part player at the moment. One or two more outstanding performances and he'll get closed down a bit quicker and have the odd hefty challenge to deal with in the future - that'll be the time to judge whether or not he's got what it takes to be classed as an outstanding player. Fabregas was top notch for a bit but has dipped significantly recently and has also shown signs of a short fuse, probably due to frusteration more than anything else. If Mikel can produce under more intense attention (both on and off the pitch) then we have a gem. If the early signs of ego and aggression persist.......?

Awkward thread

These are people's initial reactions; goes to show how much he's plateaued since then.

Edited September 2, 201213 yr by SydneyChelsea

lmao.. 5 years later.