Arsenal's German revolution set to bring new era of success to the Emirates?

When Arsene Wenger arrived at Arsenal in the mid-nineties, he brought a whole new culture change to the club with him, phasing out the unhealthy drinking habits of first team players and bringing with him a modern approach which went right down to the minute details as to planning the players' meals.

His next step was to bring in a raft of players from his native France; Patrick Vieira, Remi Garde, Gilles Grimandi, and Nicolas Anelka were all among his early signings, followed by Thierry Henry and Robert Pires, who along with Vieira proved integral to their success, including the 2003-04 Invincibles side.

The Gallic effect is still very much evident at Arsenal, through Wenger himself, and key players competing for places in the very spine of the team in Koscielny, Diaby, and Giroud.

For all their supreme talent, one or two of the French players have been criticised over the years for the very attributes associated with their national team in recent years, the sulky behaviour, lack of fight when the going gets tough, and even diving.

So perhaps it is exciting for Arsenal that their latest revolution is one of players whose qualities are associated with arguably the most positive characteristics they could wish for, a strong mental attitude, skill, and great technique. We are talking about the Germans.

Even though the German national team has fallen narrowly short of major tournament success in recent years, their players have been regular challengers at the top tournaments, on a consistent basis since they hosted the World Cup in 2006.

Two players who are mainstays of Die Mannschaft and have more than 180 international caps between them are currently emerging as key figures in this Arsenal side. Per Mertesacker in central defence and Lukas Podolski in attack, are currently showing they are forces to be reckoned with, and have another chance to prove their new found success when they host Chelsea at the weekend.

But it is perhaps two German players in the club's youth ranks who are the most exciting to Gooners, and have the ability to step up to the first team when the time is right.

They are Thomas Eisfeld, 19, and Serge Gnabry, 17, who will both be hoping for opportunities to impress in the Capital One Cup tonight when Arsenal host League One side Coventry.

Central midfielder Eisfeld was snapped up from Dortmund in January, and winger and playmaker Gnabry from Stuttgart last summer, with the former especially eye-catching on Arsenal's pre-season tour of Malaysia.

Such are the high hopes for the pair, it would be a disappointment and a surprise if either failed to make the grade at the Emirates. It may be next season until either really make the breakthrough, but the promise is there.

Mertesacker and Podolski are both 27, and will aim to be part of Arsenal for years to come, and both will no doubt help the Young Guns in their transition to the first team.

It could very well be that next year, or even sooner, Arsenal line up with four Germans in the team, and the club begins to take a new footballing identity going forward. Arsenal are in need of winning silverware, and it would be no surprise if the quartet from Deutschland played a key role in helping the club lift trophies in future years.

What do you think can Arsenal's German revolution bring success?

image: © Ronnie Macdonald