The rumour that Mikael Silvestre is set to join us is fast gathering pace, and it's certainly a signing that has the potential to divide Gooner opinion. Silvestre has undoubtedly been a top defender for Manu, however a rather unfortunate run of injuries has seen him play very few first team games in the past couple of seasons, obviously Vidic's form has also been rather significant.We've been linked to countless players this summer, plus Arsene has stated that he intends to bring in some more depth to the squad, while Silvestre is a very Arsene Wenger type signing. He doesn't like to pay huge amounts for the well known players on form, he likes to take a bit of a gamble on young players or those who have injury setbacks, remember Marc 'stumpy' Overmars whose cruciate injury had resulted in many writing his career off prematurely.
Personally I'm not sure about Silvestre, but that's partly down to not having the inside information about his actual fitness that I am sure Arsene must be privy to. If he is fully fit and if he still has some zip left in his old legs, then he may be a very astute purchase, given that he adds an old head as well as someone who can play at both centre and left back.
Alex Song is returning from the Olympics after some more outstanding performances, and if Silvestre signs, surely it is he who will be slotted into the defensive central midfield slot. Barazite, Nordtvelt, Traore and Gibbs are all off out on loan; so we certainly could do with some cover for Clichy. In this context the Silvestre signing does appear to make some sense.
He's also never been one of the Manu players that I've genuinely disliked, he's a pretty inoffensive and quiet chap on the pitch, apart from the odd head butt, unlike say a Gary 'Hitler moustache' Neville. Silvestre also comes with a hidden asset, that is his rather gaping and persistently open mouth. Not only can he scare strikers away by not brushing his teeth for several days, but as his connective tissues slacken with old age, his mouth can be used for a subtle ball carrying vehicle; all it will need is an accurate chip from Cesc and then Mikael can smuggle the ball over the goal line in one of the potentially most cunning set pieces ever.
