After a miserable season so far, I feel that Arsenal have to let go of four players to improve in the long run.
1. Dennis Bergkamp: He is a legend and my all-time favourite player. Why, then, is he making this list? Because he makes up the numbers. Ask Wenger how many strikers he has and the answer always includes Bergkamp. After he leaves, Wenger can’t say - and we have Bergkamp too. Someone - good or bad, old or young, experienced or raw - will have to replace him. Fortunately, he is retiring at the end of this season and we have signed Adebayor.
2. Robert Pires: If I am in the last year of my contract and want two more years, while the club is prepared to offer only one, what do I do? Play my best and try to impress, right? Wrong, if you are Robert Pires. We all knew he couldn’t defend, but he could pass and score goals. That was until last season. This season, he looks uninterested at best. One wonders if he actually wants a new contract. He epitomises how some players have reached a comfort zone. It’s best he relaxes in some French club for the rest of his career.
One might ask - why Pires and not Hleb or Ljunberg? Hleb is new and in his first season. Wenger has always given a year to get adjusted to the league. Ljunberg is looking out of place. But one thing he hasn’t lacked in the past (not this season though) is fighting spirit. Isn’t that what endeared him to all us? Remember - Freddie, we love you because you are red, through and through. If he scores a goal, his fortunes might change. Theo Walcott will provide him with competition so very soon, he won’t be able to take his place for granted.
3. Pascal Cygan: He has been himself this season. Actually, he has looked better than in previous ones, simply because the whole team has been doing so badly. His exit is similar to Bergkamp’s. Right now, when Campbell/Toure are injured, Wenger says - don’t worry, we have Cygan - and we all start quaking. If he leaves, we can atleast see the likes of Senderos, Hoyte, Djourou, Gilbert, etc. given proper playing time. Who knows, Wenger might even sign a proper defender as backup.
4. Gilberto: I never liked him. But with Vieira or Edu alongside, he looked okay. Maybe he didn’t have to do much and that’s why he became the invisible wall. Problem is that Vieira and Edu have left, but Gilberto is still missing. Everyone can see that he cannot tackle for life. Can you imagine that? A central midfielder and a world cup winner cannot tackle. It drives me nuts.
But Gilberto is the only senior central midfield player. The rest are teenagers. Do we sign a Vieira type player, so that Gilberto can play and still be first choice? No way. We must replace him with a very good player. This is the only place where I would like to see Wenger splash the cash and sign a central midfielder who will walk straight into the team. Don’t tell me that it will block the progress of the youngsters? The other midfield place is up for grabs. The likes of Fabregas, Diaby, Flamini, etc., can fight for that position. Competition will only improve their game and it will also mean they don’t burn out.
Guess what? Despite four players leaving, we don’t really have to sign four new ones. Adebayor and Walcott have already onboard. They might not be the best, but we have enough defenders to cover up for Cygan. I wouldn’t mind another defender though. But we have to sign one very good central midfielder. We just have to.
29 Responses to “Exit 4, Enter 1 or 2”
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January 27th, 2006 at 7:23 am
We can’t possibly let go of 4 professionals, who have much experience, and jut give their playing time to kids who’ve never done anything at this level… They have to be replaced by PROVEN PLAYERS.
The balance is already wrong in the team, with too many kids needed to step in and play well for us to succeed. I don’t disagree on who will/should depart, we need a clear out of some dead wood, but we have to bring in some proven talent. We also have to add players for DEPTH… we need a bigger squad. Its not likely, with the way Wenger does things in either case. We will suffer.We are suffering badly now.
We should be signing 6 new ones in reality.
January 27th, 2006 at 7:29 am
I think Wenger needs to realise the level at which Arsenal need to consistently compete now, especially with the new stadium being built and with regards to attracting top players. His excuse about not signing experienced pros because it gets in the way of the kids is lamentable and no longer workable judging by this season’s results so far. All he needs to look at is how many teenagers play in central midfield for Europe’s top teams. The answer will disappoint him. Another question is how many of our current midfielders would get into the teams at chelsea, Milan, Liverpool, Barca, Real, Inter and Juve? Answer: None. Sad but true. So let’s give these kids time to develop, let’s let them alternate games in the Cup competitions and at home to weaker league sides and have a powerful starting pair for the main games and the champions league. Mahmadou Diarra, Yaya Toure, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton are all players we could sign and who would do very well at Arsenal. They are also in the 22-25 age bracket, which means they’re not past it and that they can form partnerships even with the younger lads in the long run.
January 27th, 2006 at 8:58 am
EddieM…
I like your thinking. I couldn’t have said it better myself, and your list of possible players to bring in is very good as well. They should bring in 2 of those 4 ASAP!
We have 2 players in the team in Henry and Cole (possibly Lehmann), that are world class and that could start anywhere for most teams… other than that, nada.
I just don’t think Wenger will do a damned thing about this reality, and Cole & Henry could leave because of his “vision” or as I prefer to call it, stubborness!
January 27th, 2006 at 9:22 am
Can’t agree about Gilberto - I think he’s good enough for the squad. He may not deserve an automatic place, but solving that is a question of recruiting someone else not weeding him out. As things stand there’s been no real competition for Gilberto and Cesc’s places and that does us no good. So yes, we do need to recruit a new central midfielder. But let’s see how Abou Diaby does, he could be just the man.
Where I think we do need to shore things up is in central defence. But even there, Djourou’s looking very promising.
In both positions, there’s no reason to think that a big name signing is going to fit in any better than these youngsters.
January 27th, 2006 at 9:30 am
Diaby might be good, in a few years. We need someone that we KNOW is good enough to play week in, week out in the EPL.
We can’t guess and hope on “potential” in every area of need.
Same thing in defense. Djourou, great… in how many years?
I can GUARANTEE a big name signing in defense and in midfield won’t hurt us! It will at the very least mean there is competition for the position, and at best, we play a lot better in those areas.
Having potential is NO REASON not to buy players you are in dire need of.
January 27th, 2006 at 10:59 am
U IDIOT, GET READ OF GILBERTO AND PIRES r u insane
i cant believe u could say something as stupid as that. yes maybe cygan but dennis is retiring anyway. gilberto has been rock solid for us, since he came and pires was second top scorer last year, not just for arsenal but in the premiership beating the likes of van nistlerooy, rooney who r strikers. so wot if he is old, we need experience. n i bet lots r complaining that arsenal r buying to many youngsters n not experienced players. n u come along n say that we should get rid of our best midfielders. u obviously have been to the bar and had a few!!!!!
thats why arsene is the manager n u aint!!!!!
January 27th, 2006 at 11:59 am
The lost of form for players like Campbell, Gilberto and Ljunberg can be addressed by having meaningful competition for places. And to do that, Arsenal needs to bring in experienced players who can step into those roles. With the Jan transfer window closing soon, I do not expect Wenger to bring in any more players. The current injury crisis and Africa Nation cup obligations are not helping either. Wenger gambled thinking that our senior players will be able to lead the charge with the youngsters - I bet he is just as surprised and frustrated that so many of his senior players are out of form at the same time.
So selling them is not the answer. Bringing in experienced players to compete for places should be the way to go. And that will be a topic for summer - I’m afraid to say.
January 27th, 2006 at 12:13 pm
If our players would just stop passing to the other club, they can all stay.
January 27th, 2006 at 12:40 pm
The Summer will be too late, I’m afraid.
As we stand now, in this abysmal form, the top 4 is not likely. We will then have to replace Sol, Freddie, Pires, Silva, Cole & Henry… cause they’d all likely be gone. Some by our choice, some by theirs.
Waiting til the Summer is too late. But I agree, thats likely what Wenger will do. I believe he can’t see the forest thru the trees.
January 27th, 2006 at 12:42 pm
Scotty, its a bit deeper than that!
But that sure would help, wouldn’t it?!!
January 27th, 2006 at 1:02 pm
Liverpool have taken back Robbie Fowler~!!!
In a “shock move”… they bring back the ex-Liverpudian.
How about these SHOCK MOVES for Arsenal.
In (3) shock moves…
Arsenal swoop for Patrick Vieira, Nicolas Anelka and Matthew Upson.
Solves many immediate problems. You can go home again!
(how about Roger Clemens back to the RedSox while I’m dreaming! OK?)
January 27th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
Someone counted 11 passes directly to the opposition by Gilberto in one half, if I’m not mistaken. Surely playing ten men, with just his space open, would help. At least they would have to actually go and GET the ball.
Our passing out of the defense? Horrible and costly.
Our passing to players in the box, including set-pieces? Useless bordering on laughable. A corner might as well be a goal kick.
Anything over 5 yards away is to be written off. Anything under, is 50-50.
The only pass we know how to do is the thread the needle up the middle onto the foot of Henry. 2% success rate.
Back to the basics, Wenger. And don’t be afraid of the weight room. Gets the testosterone pumping and just might result in an increase in remaining upward and not ass over teacups every five seconds.
January 27th, 2006 at 1:14 pm
I would have taken him. Hell, I’d take Teddy Sheringham right now even if it meant I would have to vomit every time I laid eyes on him.
From what I’m hearing, Cisse got busted for beating up his preggo wife or something and could be on his way out of the club. I’m thinking Fowler’s a stop-gap for the CL, as he’s not tied.
January 27th, 2006 at 1:23 pm
11 players are not available tomorrow … so who is available ?
Who is playing LB … … Do we have 16 players to bring to Bolton ?
Whats your line up ?
Jens
Gilbert Sendy Sole LB???
Fredy Daibi Falmini Helb
RVP Reyes
Sub: Quincy, Lupoli, Alumnia, Dijourou, Larsson ???
January 27th, 2006 at 1:51 pm
I suppose he coud play Senderos at left back and play Djourou alongside Campbell.
January 27th, 2006 at 4:40 pm
I agree, I don’t mind those 3 here…….but Vieira is totally unrealistic………though Anelka and Upson are not!
We need a CM the most though….
January 27th, 2006 at 5:14 pm
Matthew Upson makes more mistakes than Campbell and Senderos put together. That is one of the reasons Birmingham are where they are.
January 27th, 2006 at 5:23 pm
If we have even the slightest improvement in away form & all of a sudden our “horrible” season looks a lot different.
January 27th, 2006 at 6:02 pm
It is probable too late for more signings in January. For the summer what do we need? What do we have for next season?
GK - Lehmann, Poom, Almunia
RB - Lauren, Eboue, Gilbert
LB - Cole, Clichy
CB - Senderos, Toure, Campbell, Djourou, Hoyte
RM - Ljungberg, Hleb, Walcott
CM - Gilberto, Fabregas, Flamini, Diaby, Larsson
LM - Reyes
F - Henry, Van Persie, Adebayor, Lupoli, Bendtner
I am assuming Henry and Cole stay, Pires, Bergkamp and Cygan leave. Bentley, Smith and Aliadiere are not good enough.
In my opinion, we therefore need another goalie as Lehmann is getting older and I have doubts about the other two - even though Almunia is much improved this year and Poom is getting rave reviews for the reserves. We also need someone to play wide left.
Finally, that list relies on a lot of youngsters making it. Some will, some won’t. Wenger needs to assess them before the summer and move to strengthen where the youngsters are not good enough e.g. if Lupoli and Bendtner are not good enough, sign Torres.
January 27th, 2006 at 6:05 pm
Lehmann
Gilbert Djourou Campbell Senderos
Hleb Flamini Diaby Ljungberg
Van Persie Reyes
Subs: Almunia, Larsson, Song/Muamba, Quincy, Lupoli
That team could play 4-4-2 or 4-5-1
January 27th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
Its not humanly possible for anyone to make as many mistakes as Campbell and Senderos put together…
you can’t seriously blame Upson for Birmingham’s woes… thats ridiculous…
I am not expecting us to go after ANY of the 3 players I mentioned, it was tounge in cheek.
But I do believe any of the 3 would help NOW, and none of the 3 we signed will help this season.
January 27th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
yes, but we are trying to figure out what exactly would give anyone the idea or reasons why our away form would improve… its more likely our home form will get worse…
We don’t have the horses.
January 27th, 2006 at 7:28 pm
The deal is… next Summer is meaningless without CL football. Unless Henry signs soon… he’ll wait. If we miss out on the top 4… you can probably add Henry and Cole departing…
Then the Arsenal have ZERO star players, and we’ll have to bring in about 6-8 players in the Summer. Since Wenger doesn’t like buying proven talent… our team will be geared towards 2010!
January 27th, 2006 at 8:03 pm
Fair enough. I just think that we are not as far away as some people seem to think.
Look at Everton & Charlton’s starts & current forms. It just goes to show what a fine line each team walks & the actual consistency it takes to be successful b/c the talent gap is actually not as big IMO as it appears.
January 27th, 2006 at 8:06 pm
No way I’d want Anelka back. He was Cole-eqsue before Cole was. Too much too young for his type of personality.
Upson is prone to an occasional error but he definitely has more upside (or is that ‘Upsonside?’… whoa that joke was even worse than I thought!) than a Cygan. Upson would make decent cover or maybe the way Sol’s playing lately even start in front of Sol! Never thought I’d say that!
January 27th, 2006 at 8:10 pm
I really don’t think Henry’s going anywhere. I think a lot of his “possibly leaving for Barca” stuff is over-hyped media gossip
January 27th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Why?
Why would he want to play for a team thats got no ambition to win in the immediate future?
He has said himself, Arsenal must match his ambition. They’ve done nothing to improve for now.
If he signs, GREAT… if he waits, worry.
January 27th, 2006 at 9:50 pm
Yes he has said that. He has also said that Arsenal is in his heart. He has also thumped the crest & kiss the crest in the past when he scores. So the leaving comments & insinuations outweigh the staying comments just b/c they’re negative & printed more often?
I just don’t buy the press about him leaving wholeheartedly.
January 28th, 2006 at 12:47 am
Ok one defender that id like to see at Arsenal is Bonera he can play RB Or DC. Italian good player. The midfield that Arsene should buy is Diarra the one playing for Lyon. He is a Vieira type midfielder. Keeper… well im still upset that we didnt sign viera.