Saturday 3 January 2009

Silly season


It hasn't taken long for the bizarre transfer rumours to get into full swing, in fact it was exciting for the first three hours or so, but now it's just very very tedious indeed. It's hardly as if Arsene has told us anything we didn't know beforehand, he'll spend sensibly if he can get the right players at the right price, however he's not going to get carried away and fritter away stupid money on average dross just for the sake of it, especially in the current financial climate, something that Peter Hill-Wood has reiterated.

The Kolo Toure transfer request is certainly intriguing, the exact reasons behind it are yet to be revealed while there may well be a bit more to come on this one. There are various theories on why he handed in the request, maybe he doesn't like Gallas, maybe he's unhappy not playing every game, or maybe he'd been approached by the blue of Manchester. He has apparently withdrawn that request and Arsene has finally admitted that Gallas and Toure are not suited to playing together, due to their size and the similarity of their games:

“It is that the two together are a bit short in the air. We needed to add some size centrally."

The question is, why has Toure reversed this decision? I wonder has he been told that Gallas is on his way out and that he only need bide his time for his first team spot back partnering Johan Djourou. For me there's no doubt that Toure looks a different player when playing with a big dominant centre half, he is very capable of mopping up on the deck and using his mobility to good effect, however pair him with a similar player like Gallas and you will most definitely not get the best out of him.

Elsewhere the Given rumours were just plain nonsense, why replace one of our best players this season with a 32 year old who has never done it for a big club. The Arshavin rumours will not go away but his wage demands are likely to make any transfer tricky. Realistically there are actually a lot of internal solutions to our problems.

The FA Cup demonstrates this perfectly. With Cesc and Denilson out, we can see how the fast improving Ramsey and Diaby get on. Also Carlos Vela must be given a start at the left of midfield in my opinion, then Eboue can be dropped for Nasri to switch to the right flank. Up front I hope we see no Bendtner. Apparently Plymouth will play a packed midfield in a 4-5-1 formation, I really hope we stick to a 4-4-2 as it never works when we revert to a 4-5-1 system to combat defensive opponents. Come on you Gunners, today will be tricky if we become complacent, it will need a hard committed performance from the start.

5 comments:

K man said...

Agreed. The transfer rumours are starting to get a bit silly. What is clear is that only Man City have silly money to spend. Chelski fans must be having an identity crisis.

Given is a top keeper, better than Manuel, but I agree he's not the signing we need. Manuel has done well again this season and is one of the more committed and popular players - he deserves to keep his place. What I like about him is that he dosen't seem to take his place for granted.

Hopefully we'll get a strong tall centre back - Hageland or Upson would be fine. Then Gallas or Toure can leave - my preference would be for Gallas to go despite his recent form being decent.

There seems to be a lack of good midfielders around so I think we might soldier on with what we have. Arshavin might make sense as Rosicky's career seems over, Walcott is only due back in Feb, Eboue is pants and Wilshere too young. Nasri or Diaby could play the Fabregas role at least short term.

The Plymouth game today will be a good chance to mix the carling cup players with regular 1st teamers. I hope Wilshere, Ramsy and Vela get starts but the rest of the team should be regulars in my opinion.

I'm hoping for:

Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Silvestre, Gallas, Nasri, Ramsey, Diaby, Wilshere, Vela, Adebayor.

1979gooner said...

Upson is an interesting option.

Given West Ham's financial predicament we would surely be able to get him at a very reasonable price.

Djourou-Upson anyone?

Si said...

Upson would be a good move, but I can't see Wenger buying back an ex Arsenal player.

Anonymous said...

January's here and it's fairy-tale time.The papers,especially the sun and n.o.t.w both crap papers,keep printing rubbish out in the hope that there get 1 storey right.Kolo request is a strange 1 but we will never get to know the in's and out's of that 1 as we keep our ill's in-house.Kolo plays better with a commanding defender with him like he did with sol campbell but as stated before with Gallas he's hasn't shown the same confidence.We don't need a keeper but we do need a defensive mid-fielder as Flamini showed.Last season he protected the defence but as it shown this season without such a player it has exposed the center-backs weakness and it's allowed the opposition to play.We also need a striker as bendtner has not got it and adebayor seems to be a 1 season wonder.I think santa cruz could fit that bill easily but he might too expensive!!Otherwise we have to wait for our injured players to come back,which is half a team,and crack on.Anyway man city gonna buy everyone even pele(hahaha)so at night when youput your kids to bed get the back pages and read them a good fairy-tale.Have faith!!
FOREVER ARSENAL
EXILED-GOONER

guestblogger said...

I have to say that I can't see Toure leaving Arsenal. Would be very suprised if it happens. Like mentioned though, it is probably a silly transfer rumour!

Great site by the way, really enjoy it. If you could email me when you get the chance, that would be great.

Thanks

Thomas