Amid what was obviously one of the most incredible games in recent came what should be considered an exciting cameo from Thomas Eisfeld. Pre-game a lot of the hype surrounded the teenager Serge Gnabry but indeed it was his compatriot who stole a lot of the limelight in an impressive performance after arriving into the game in the second half; acting as a catalyst in Arsenal’s 7-5 comeback triumph.
What immediately struck me about his talents was his ability to get in between the lines. That area of uncertainty between the midfield and defence is a dangerous area to exploit and he did it with aplomb throughout the game. He was an electric livewire, tracking back and bursting away in counter attack at will. He did not look like a player inexperienced at this level, quite the contrary, he seemed a seasoned professional with his quick give-and-go passing, ability on both feet and alarming pace with the ball at his feet all dangerous attributes.
He played uncannily like former Arsenal favourite Freddie Ljungberg and that is a fair compliment. The Swedish legend was an integral member of many an Arsenal team and also played with this quick give-and-go direct mentality that so endeared him to the Arsenal faithful. Eisfeld also looks like he will carry a similar goal-threat to the former number eight.
Others have also compared the impact the young German seemed to make to that of Cesc Fabregas’s breakthrough in the competition as a fresh-faced teenager against Wolverhampton Wanderers back in 2003. Again this is not a bad comparison to have lain at your feet as the former Dortmund trainee looked to have a very keen eye for a pass in his locker on top of his other attributes and seems very comfortable in the central areas.
A Fabregas-Ljungberg cross does not seem like a bad thing for Arsenal fans I am sure.
The fact he cost a bargain £475,000 in compensation to the Dortmund academy who let him go due to worries over a troublesome knee injury is just another bonus to what could be an exciting future at The Emirates. His signing was a gamble by Wenger but current Dortmund starlet Mario Gotze believes Eisfeld is a better talent then himself and after an impressive pre-season where he bagged goals against a Malaysia XI and Kitchee SC there was already mooted optimism about his prospects. Last week saw him bag a brace against Everton under-21’s in the Under 21 League and now after impressing on his professional debut the future looks very bright for this talented German operator.
Here are some Tweets about Eisfeld’s promising debut…
Thomas Eisfeld joined Arsenal for €500,000? I can tell it's already going to be one of the bargains of the century. #ClassAct
— Wheeler (@WheeLer_AFC) October 30, 2012
Love the look of eisfeld looks real promising
— Ashley Walcott (@ashwalcott) October 31, 2012
Why did I bottle putting that pound on a draw at half-time?! Thomas Eisfeld has been superb. Very intelligent. I'm gonna need another beer.
— George Dugdale (@GeorgeDugdale) October 30, 2012
This is unbelievable! We owe all of that to Giroud and Eisfeld. Both of them came on and changed the game. Phenomenal.
— FourFourTom (@FourFourTom) October 30, 2012
Giroud and Eisfeld completely changed the game yesterday. Can't believe we signed Eisfeld for £500,000 ! Real bargain.
— Nasser Al-Rayes (@_AlRayes) October 31, 2012
What did you make of Eisfeld’s debut and did he remind you of Ljungberg?
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
Mathew Nash
@hitcmathewnashGoogle+more stories from Mathew Nash
I’m Mathew Nash a 23 year old graduate in Sports Studies and I have an insatiable love for sport. With a particularly keen interest for the madcap world of football I have always been known amongst friends as a beacon for bizarre sporting trivia and knowledge. My other passion is for writing and hopefully combining the two will create a superb and entertaining marriage that will create, divide and share opinion.
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