By Chris Toronyi
We're in the midst of an international break, which in the past has come as a relief, or even a moment to hit the stop button. But I think we can safely say we've all looked at this break as like hitting the Pause Button -- as if we're watching "Breaking Bad" on television and need to take a second to absorb what we just saw before diving right back in.
There is no doubt that that we are witnessing something like an amazingly produced TV show. As I've written before everything creative seems to be lining up from the writing, the acting to the producing magic of one Mr. Wenger. And I will also say that our Studio Head, Mr. Irvan Gazidis, has also played a major role in this new found attitude both on the pitch and off. Without his behind-the-scenes leadership and empowerment would we be where we are now? I highly doubt it.
Now, we don't want it to stop and we don't want to Fast Forward, we just want it to Pause for the moment. Allow ourselves to breathe and take in what we've all been witnesses to. Funny thing, as I wrote this, a fellow LA Gooner happened into the coffee shop (Coffee and Food on Melrose if you care) and the first thing out of his mouth was "top-of-the-league!"
I can't remember the last time that I've felt this invigorated about a team – or a show. Arsenal play with such fluency, such great inner play, it's as if they players on the pitch were made for these roles.
Mesut Ozil is certainly no exception. His adaptation to his role has been nothing short of perfect beauty. It's kind of like watching "American Psycho" -- nobody else could have played the role of Patrick Bateman other than Christian Bale. Nobody. He had the acting chops to deliver a performance that felt like it was written for him. Ozil is my Christian Bale: made for the role, and I couldn't think of anyone else doing what he is doing for our team. It makes you forget about others who were considered like Pitt, Depp, DiCarprio or that guy at Napoli or the other one that decided to stay put.
Could you really see anyone other than Bale losing it while everyone shared their new business cards -- or someone other than Ozil backheeling the ball in the box or providing a delicate touch to Ramsey as he races forward without breaking stride?
As Bobby Pires said recently, there are elements of Bergkamp in Ozil as there are elements De Niro in Christian Bale. (Old De Niro, not this current evolution for those keeping track at home.)
Both of these fine gentlemen are true artists born for the role. Amazing when all of the elements of the equation come together – and quite beautiful if you ask me.
I can't wait to unPause our season. We are watching masters of their craft that deserve our full attention. Even the unspoken or off-the-ball movement causes us to take a breath. They don't deserved to be Paused, but sometimes that's what is required.
The Play Button will be firmly pressed on Saturday against Norwich. It's gonna be great entertainment.
The Arsenal America Podcast welcomes John Cross of the Mirror and Tim Payton of AST this week. Please don't forget tosubscribe to the podcast on iTunes and you can also grab the RSS Feed.
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'Stateside Gooner' Chris Toronyi is a longtime Arsenal supporter and the host of The Arsenal America podcast, available every week at ArsenalAmerica.com and on iTunes. You can read more of Chris' thoughts on Twitter.
The views expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect those of Arsenal Football Club or Arsenal Broadband Ltd.
Copyright 2024 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.
