This week promising German midfielder Serge Gnarby signed professional terms with Arsenal this week making him the club’s fourth German  player signed in the last 2 years. With the Bundesliga rivlaing Spain for young promising talent it’s only natural that the Gunners should turn their attention to the German league for talent. With that in mind we’ve enlisted the help of our good friend from twitter @GermanGunners to help us take a look the German revolution currently underway at London Colney. Specifically he takes a look at the reasons behind these recent transfers from Germany and where can it possibly take Arsenal?

Why don’ we start with the latest addition to the German contingent, the aforementioned, Gnabry. Some of you may have had the opportunity to check him out at reserve matches last season. Gnarby is an attacking midfielder which makes him a perfect fit for Arsenal. He can read a game and can be lethal with his final pass. Additionally, he has shown on more than one occasion that he’s capable of getting into the box and finishing himself. These are prime qualities a midfielder needs to have these days to be successful among Europe’s elite. At only 17 years old Serge looks set to have a great career.  With his first professional contract under his belt and an increased profile based on performances, it’s expected that he will likely feature in a few of this year’s FA and Carling (or whatever it’s called these days). There is no doubt that Gnabry will also make his mark in the team.

But what is it with the Germans in recent years?

With Mertesacker, Podolski, Eisfeld and now Gnabry it seems Germany is the new France for Arsenal shopping. It’s clear, Wenger and his scouts have their gaze firmly trained on the Bundesliga –  that much is for sure. The reason for that is clear to me. Germany has built an exceptional youth system which produces talent after talent. Götze, Bender, Müller, Özil etc. The benefits of this new German youth factory extend far beyond the national team. It’s effect is felt in the Bundesliga and many of the big European leagues as well.

Some years ago the Bundesliga wasn’t among Europe’s top leagues but that has changed in the last three or four years. So it’s no wonder to those in Germany that Europe’s elite from Madrid to London scour Germany scouting German players and players who are shining in the revitalized Bundesliga – like Kagawa. The talent is all there for you to see. Players coming out of Germany are players with an excellent technical ability who have mostly played on international level or used to be in the u18/20 and captain their sides. Adding to that the typical German mentality gives the players the skillsets to easily transfer into other leagues especially the Premier League. Moreso than players from Spain or Italy, players from the Bubdesliga for the most part won’t find the step up to English football not that great especially when it comes to attitude and fighting spirit. All around its a win win scenario for the player and the club.

So what can our Germans add to Arsenal’s trophy hunt in the next years? Mertesacker has been at Arsenal now for a full year and has shown that he is acclimating well and prior to his injury was steadily improving  and building a strong partnership with both Vermaelen and Koscielny. He was unlucky with his injury at the end of the season. But after some difficulties at the start he got used to English game very well. MErte slowly got to what he does best and that was read play and position himself well and after that initial adjustment period was doing quite well.

Podolski is our latest addition. He’s a striker who has shown that he has the quality you need to play in the prem. His goal record for Germany is massive and just one example of his many qualities. He’s a leader and a fighter at his best. The type of player we sometimes lack at Arsenal. You won’t see him give up at any point, he continually works hard and is always fighting for it. And with his finishing he will attract attention multiple defenders which will likely create space for midfielders to get into the box and hopefully finish themselves.  Comments that he has maybe lost interest in the game are wide off the mark. Rather, it’s more likely that Prince Poldi has needed a new change and challenge. When his failed time at Bayern is brought up its hard to remember who he had in front of him and his age at the time. He has matured and looks prime for his Premier League debut.

Finally, there is Thomas Eisfeld. YAMA previewed him earlier and his displays of talent were evident during the Asian tour you can see what he’s capable of. He really looks set set to grabhis chance and put himself in the spot to make a name for himself at Arsenal. He’s similar to Gnabry. His technique is superb, good final pass and a decent finish if he gets he chance. With Götze, Großkreutz  etc. he was a bit unlucky not to get into Dortmund’s first team squad. Klopp had to build an experienced team to challenge for the title which made it impossible to rotate many of the younger players in the reserve squad. But Eisfeld has the qualities you need to be successful at top level without a doubt.

DAG and I have talked on a few occassions about the wealth of talent in Germany that is there for the picking. They are good, strong, extremely talented, and well suited for the rigours of the Premier League. Additionally, in terms of fees their transfer numbers for the most part are reasonable and even with Arsenal’s wage system in place they can still oat the players more than they make in Germany. It is a area ripe for picking.  If Arsenal continue to mine this field  I won’t be surprised if we hear Eis Eis baby a lot in the next few years.

You can follow me on twitter at @GermanGunners or go to my site – http://www.germangunners.blogspot.com/

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