I wonder if Wenger will make a last minute pursuit of Frank Ribery. He has said that he might bid for him if someone leaves us and now when Reyes is off to Madrid maybe Ribery is on his way to Arsenal. We will see for about 45 minutes.
The Beast will be great for us. He is physical and can play both midfield and striker. I think we should use him as a partner for Henry, cos RvP and Adebayor aren’t consistent.
As for Gallas, what can I say? He is one of the best defenders in the world. And if Clichy can stay injury free imagine our back four with Eboue/Lauren, Toure, Gallas and Clichy. They would be great.
I can’t say I’ve seen anything but highlight clips of baptista so at the moment I’m unsure about him. Sounds like is is a powerful player with an eye for goal though so if he follows through on the potential that wenger sees in him then i think its good. Certainly doesn’t hurt to be rid of that slimeball reyes. Same thing can be said for cole as well and its great to hear about gallas as he is obviously quality. Hopefully these moves can breath some zest into the clubhouse and we can turn it on and put this slow start behind us.
It looks like we have Baptista and Gallas for Reyes and Cole plus money. It could be argued that this is not going to improve our squad that much, Ashley Cole the best left-back in the world etc. etc. but if you look at what two unmotivated players might have given us this season, in my humble opinion, we are probably better off. The best news is that Cygan is gone. Better to give Djourou, Connolly and Garry a game if there are multiple injuries than letting Cygan near our team.
After reflection overnight on the comings and goings, tomorrow is a good day to assess the squad, especially when we see the 25 going to UEFA tomorrow for the Champions League.
We are still lacking a defensive midfielder. Unless Wenger wants to convert Gallas or Lauren into one. Doing so would not be such a bad idea and will allow Sendoros to develop. And when Clichy is fit, we will have a pretty strong defence. With so many attacking midfielders (add Baptista), Ribery would be a luxury and an expensive one as well. 2m pounds for Cygan is very good business when u consider he is not even 2nd choice in the positions he play in. Good luck to Cygan. He had been a true soldier for Arsenal, taking alot of crap from fans but still trying his best. He should do well in the less physical La Liga.
Thank you Mr Wenger for getting Gallas, this signing is utterly crucial - the difference this will make to the team is massive. At last we have a world class centre back to compliment Toure. Now the left back problem isn’t such a massive problem - having Djourou and Hoyte playing together was a bloody joke.
As for Baptista, I am less happy about this because I think Baptista has been pushed out the door and doesn’t really want to be here. He also looked pretty awful during his stint at Madrid, but hopefully Wenger can get the best out of him He might look the part, but for a man of his size it’s very disappointing how he’s always falling over at the slightest contact. I just get the feeling he doesn’t want to be at Arsenal and will probably leave in the summer, whereas Reyes will give 150% to Real Madrid.
But Gallas is a MASSIVE signing, it can turn the season around for us. Maybe the players can play now without having to worry about some of the mugs behind them. Wenger has pulled it off thank god, couldn’t have left it much later though.
If we are going to convert a defender into DM, I think the best player for the job would be Toure. Gallas and Senderos as central defenders and Kolo as a holding midfielder it might work. And I want Ribery only because we don’t have a pure wingers in the squad, OK only Walcott, but he is still young. We lack width and that will be our main problem this year, so that’s the reason why I think Ribery should have been signed.
He was right-sided midfielder, not central or defensive. Also I think that best suited players for the DM position are central defenders with skills. Look at Ledley King at Spurs. He can play as DM without a problem. Ramos at Real Madrid played last season in a couple of games as a DM and did well, Kompany has played as a DM, and I think(I’m not sure) that Gilberto was a center back before playing as a DM. Also Kolo has the skills to play in midfield, so I think he would be great if he plays there.
Every Arsenal supporter are foaming at the mouth in anticipation and we finally get confirmation. The Sun first edition will report the deal is confirmed. Skysports tv still had no confirmation at 2400 but did report a single office light burning at Stamford Bridge (someone working the fax). The deal is Gallas + 5 mil for Cole. Physicals have been completed by both players. Barclay’s EPL Preview Show also confirms the Gallas-Cole swap (2000 EST).
AW has done what needed to be done. An experienced CB (first and foremost) and a MF who can play DM (where he started), CF, and CM. I do have my concerns about the quality of Baptista. His desire for RM exposed him to a difficult situation (are you listening El Rey). Three coaches in one year and none of them with a clue as to how to play him. I’m trusting Wenger to have the answer and unleash the beast who looked shackled at RM.
Our corner kick scoring should improve with Toure, Gilberto, Baptista in the middle and Gallas doing his sneaky back post runs.
The Gallas signing is MASSIVE…it gives us a lot of confidence in the back. The Beast, we'll have to see. I wasn't very impressed with him last year for Madrid, but we'll just have to see. The best news is that Cygan is gone….
The wildest thing as you know is that J.Mascherano and C. Tevez belong to the Hammers!!! No disrespect….but WTF….Hammers???!!! I have read that these players' rights are owned by a British company by the name of MSI, whose actual owner/boss is…………..wait for it…………none other than Mr. Roman Abramovic!!! I wonder if this means that they both will go to The Blues next year after getting some experience in the EPL……WOW!!!
Check this out for the ultimate in ironies:http: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuUe47IFlac&NR. Yes, you are seeing #10 Reyes congratulating his teammate Julio (The Beast) Baptista on his goals at Seville. Goes around, comes around.
CONFIRMATION, there is a joint statement (read: it is quite literally a 'statement', no story behind it) by Arsenal FC and Chelski FC. Cole to Chelsea, Gallas + 5 million GBP to the ARSENAL…I AM OVERJOYED…..
but…does Gallas really want to join us, or will he be the same cranky bastard he was at Chelsea and demand a transfer next summer??? same with Baptista…will he actually sign with us permanently???
Happy that we off-loaded Reyes. He simply didn’t want to be here. Baptista will have a chance to prove himself, and Wenger wanted “The Beast” badly last year. He got his man. Time will tell if it works out. I think it will.
Cole. I am torn. Kinda wanted him to stay, as he said he would play for another year, but at the end of the day… he wanted to go. Glad we got a PLAYER for him as well. Gallas is very good. He will definitely help defensively. Wish we could have SPENT the $5 Million GBP we got AND the $2 Million we somehow got for Cygan! (go figure!)…
We certainly could have used another player in the DM position… but at least we got rid of the 2 players that didn’t want to be here… and talent came in.
Well done.
Now someone PLEASE tell me how West Ham managed to get two BIG name players that United and Arsenal were after… LARGE figures were being thrown around monetarily… and WEST HAM?? feckin’ West Ham managed to buy BOTH of them????
Are you kidding me? Something REALLY stinks in this one. They both opted for West Ham over CL football and big teams…?
a) How much were they bought for?
b) Where did West Ham get that kind of money?
c) Was Chelsea somehow involved?
Interesting day to say the least. I REALLY was hoping that West Ham getting those two would open the door for REO-COKER to come our way. That would have been MASSIVE… a very good young player in the DM mode.
We did something. We a few things. The effort itself makes me very happy. Looking forward to seeing both Gallas and Baptista on the pitch for the club.
This are both great signings…Eventhough we got less money than we all thought we would get, the satisfaction of kicking their ass will be priceless..By losing Gallas, Chelsea is very weak at the center back position..They better hope that Terry or Carvalho doesn’t get hurt, if not it is Huth.
Some comments on this site have mentioned their doubt about Baptista..I can tell you Wenger is so right on this one..This was the one signings I was hoping for..He can play CM and forward…He will be able to come in for TH or Cesc..He was the main reason that Madrid made their late run last year..He took a while to adapt at Real but they don’t know what they lost..Capello is a fool. He has got a very defensive team and is playing with 2 defensive midfielders..Can’t wait to kick his butt like we did when he was coach of Juventus..They practically created no chances on our goal. I watched Baptista in the Real Madrid vs Real Salt Lake game..He was simply their best player eventhough the press was gaga over Robinho…Baptista has never gotten the respect.
If Ribery was in today, it would have been a perfect day. At least it gives us something to hope for in the next transfer window.
Bring on Chelsea and the Manures now.
I might be wrong, but I believe that Gallas’ contract only runs through this year and he has made noises before about playing in another country. Seems like a rental player unless they can convince him otherwise. Don’t get me wrong though, I love the fact that they got a guy who can play in the center and on the left. I just wish Arsenal would have gotten a DM. Baptista started there, but I wonder whether he would be willing to go back to that position on occasion.
I really think Wenger trusts Song to be the replacement..I know he has received a lot of slack but he is young playing a very challenging position…They are no great DM’s who can play at the top level at his age..I like him..He has tenacity and when he loses the ball, he goes after it and wins it back..Plus he will have a good physique to dominate in a few years.
Wenger did spend the 7m pounds. He bought the Brazilian U-19 captain Denilson from Sao Paola in a deal that will reach 4m pound. Denilson is a defensive midfielder. So in 1 day, we got rid of Reyes, Cole & Cygan and brought in Baptista, Gallas, Ito and Denilson with 3m pound change. I think the Cole-Gallas deal is a bad one for Arsenal but thats what happens when transfer dealings are left to the last day.
Crazy and fascinating day! And I’m very pleased with the outcome. Got rid of the two rotten apples and Cygan. Gallas is absolutely world class and also brings great experience to the team, and is comfortable with the PL. I haven’t seen Baptista that much, but I know most people were begging for him to join a year ago. And just the fact that he didn’t initially light Real Madrid on fire with their lousy coaches, I won’t hold against him. Hopefully Wenger can get the best of him, and hopefully he can adjust to the weather, culture, etc.
I also saw a couple of places that we signed Danilson, the Brazil U-19 captain (DM). Wiht all the rumors flying around today, I’m not sure if we should believe it though. And I’m not sure how he would get a work permit, unless he’s another one of those ‘exceptional talents like Song’ of course!
It’s pretty much what I wanted. Reyes and Cole were disrespectful and didn’t want to be here and so it was time to get rid of them. I really think we should have gotten more then 5m cash but otherwise it’s not bad. Gallas was great in the WC and brings in the kind of experience we lost with Sol. We finally brought in The Beast, I think he’ll provide a different and much needed style to the midfield and offense. And Henry ought to be reasonably happy with the results even if we didn’t bring in many additional bodies. Who’d have thought Cygan was worth that much (although I know we give him more stick than he probably deserves, remember that brace?) I bet we add during January as well, but this should do us nicely. Too bad it couldn’t have been concluded before the season started so they’d have had more time to settle.
I am happy with the Cole-Gallas swap. Can’t escape the fact that Chelsea got Cole on the cheap. But Gallas is an experienced, versatile and premiership class defender. Chelsea are also weakened. It will plug a gaping hole in our defence. It is better than getting a lot of money for Cole but not spending it. I hope he has been signed on a long term contract.
I am also happy with the Reyes-Baptista loan deal. It makes a lot of sense. Reyes wanted out. Baptista didn’t but was forced out. AW gets a player he wanted before and has one year to fit him in the team and convince him to stay longer.
I am trying to see where Baptista fits in. Last season, it made a lot of sense. Vieira had left. Cesc wasn’t established. Diaby and Ade weren’t there. Baptista could fill in multiple roles. What now? It remains to be seen.
Overall, I am happier than yesterday. We got players in the two areas where almost every Arsenal fan wanted to strengthen. Now we can concentrate on more mundane things like finishing off chances we create in games.
Believe me, this is an early Xmas gift. What appeases me the most is the fact that Mr. Moronhio and his best pal c**t face Kenyon are at each other's neck for allowing Gallas go. The reason why this deal did not go thru all this while is because of this very ordeal. They just could not imagine us having Gallas.
Cole is a good player but nobody pays over 15m for any left back that I know but 30m has been known to be spent on a defender. The point here is that Central defenders have more influences in how a team gells as a force to reckon with. I heard our grat Alan Smith say that this morning.
As for the Baptista deal, what more are you guys asking for…with one swoop, AW has gotten quick fixes to our midfield and goal problems. Don't worry about him staying happy. That's what AW does best and he has a compatriot in Gilberto.
I am really over the hill over this. Let me try and convince folks who think Chelsea got Cole on the cheap. Even if we were to get 30m for Cole, do you honestly think AW will spend a good part of that booty on quality players? I leave you to answer that.
I think I remember Danny and a few others pointed out let’s not worrying too much (abt the new signings) until the transfer window closed… and it happened exactly that way!
Personally, I think it’s two very solid moves, or I should say FOUR very solid moves! Getting rid of two players who didn’t want to play for us, two trouble makers who would potentially harm the team… And got ourselves two players who will fit into the areas where we needed to improve most - defence and central midfield.
I am quite confident Gallas will fit in well, and will be very useful to our defence as he can play across the back 4 and offer us experience. The Breast I’m not so sure, mainly because whether he really wants to play for us or not. Anyway, this is a big guy, it will surely help.
We will miss Jose, Pires, and Cole. If you look at the two games we’ve played this season, we’ve not played bad football but we haven’t won either. That’s because we’ve had no width.
Jose’s service from wide positions plus a dribbling threat caused teams to have to come out. That made space for others to get off a shot. We haven’t had that space to shoot, so goals are hard to get. Bobby provided us that width too and got narrow only when beating someone dribbling or someone else (Cole or Henry) got wide for him. Last year saw a change where Jose had Captain Henry staying more central, Cole was broke, and Patrick, who came and got the ball from everybody faster than Fab does, was gone. Think boys, even Pires looked ineffective. Had Bobby suddenly gotten that bad? Come on now.
Think, after Lauren’s injury, Gilbert and Eboue came in. They like to get forward a bit more and gave us width in the attacking third. Suddenly Hleb, who had looked like a dud began to look like a stud. When teams would converge on Hleb, he released Eboue. Defenses lost their shape and scoring chances appeared. Only thing is he Hleb doesn’t shoot or follow shots like Pires did so he doesn’t get goals. Jose would shoot if he could get central.
The biggest loss is Jose who depsite a lack of support was still able to lead the team in assists. It didn’t help that he had to play with 23 different left backs and the captain hated him. He gave us more defensively than Pires or Hleb ever did. There’s a reason Arsene Wenger paid so much for the gypsy. We’re going to miss Jose Reyes; especially in Europe. In 17th place, I’d say we already are.
dannyboy, Baptista was made to play in 5 different positions at Madrid and only in his favoured attacking mid in the last 10 games of the season (he scored in 5 consecutive games). He’ll be a good signing, powerful if nothing else and a decent passer.
Gallas - spot on, we’ve acquired one of the best centre backs in the world and lost the best left back. I’d rather have it down the centre thanks.
But when Arsenal scouted him he was French defender of the yea. Who have Villarreal been watching? A dozy clot who can’t defend save his life, and they gave us our money back. Astonishing.
i agree….we will miss reyes. he didnt become great for us but even then he was FUNDAMENTAL for our counterattacking game, which we no longer have, he also gave us width and direct running. he was also the very best long-range passer and was VERY hardworking. and all this despite he was never happy, settled or on form here.
too bad he has a weak character.
i still think he will be great for madrid…he will be really massive there.
wenger should get a WINGER in january, we need a bit more width.
mourinho was absolutely FURIOUS with kenyon, when he realized he gave us gallas. that just says it ALL.
chelsea said we got 5 million, but some reports say 10 million. remember arsenal never talk about their prices, so chelsea can say whatever price they wish.
i personall think it is 5 million RISING to 10 million depending on appearances, etc.
all in all: Cole for Gallas plus Cash = GREAT DEAL!
and when u add the 2 million for cygan…swweeeet.
and oh yeah, we have ANOTHER brazilian DM in denilson. he is a captain so at least he?s got leadership skills. he is also same age with Song….but for some reason i already rate him better…LOL. talk about biased.
and finally, its OFFICIAL: we have the FASTEST defence in EUROPE….that is for sure. just imagine the recovery times. clichy or eboue makes a mistake? no problem….toure or gallas is there in a flash to clean up the mess.
eboue - toure - gallas - clichy
i dont know what u guys think, but personally i think the toure-gallas axis is the best in the country - and that is why mourinho was furious, screaming at his boss.
OK, So from last season, Pires, Cole, Reyes, Campbell and Bergkamp have left, a raft of fringe players have been put out on loan and Cygan has been sold.
We have bought, Rosicky, Baptista and Gallas, with a number of young players joining, including Merida.
The wage bill has been vastly reduced.
I dont believe we actually spent a penny, but we have got rid of some of the older players, and also the unhappy players.
We need to find a left back, but Lauren could play there who has experience, Flamini, Clichy or even Traore. Senderos could even play here, and lets not forget, players get injured and suspended, so the likes of Senderos and Djourou will get plenty of games.
We need to make sure the player on playing LM is solid and tracks back, this needs to be Freddie.
As posted by irishgunner, it is great Cygan has left as it will mean the youngsters will get a chance.
Lets hope that Cole gets a bit of the AW vuddoo, and like Pires and Edu, picks up an injury….
I don’t think we’re stronger than last year. I don’t rate Gallas that much higher than Sol Campbell. Rosicky is not better than Reyes or Pires, neither is he more dynamic than Reyes. Hoyte isn’t even in Cole’s league as a LB and neither is anyone else we have. How are we stronger? The “so-called strength” of our team was the left and that entire starting side for the past 5 years left all in the same off-season.
And for the record, I believe Cygan is better at CB than Djourou and LB than Hoyte. His passing was poor at times but he held his own against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and others with no fuss. He didn’t even come close to being the reason we dropped any points last season. We kept a lot of clean sheets with him in the team last year while we haven’t kept a single clean sheet this year.
That being said, I’m really looking forward to this season. But at the end of last season where we had an in-form Sol, Gilberto, Reyes, Pires, and fit again Cole, there is no way we’re better now than then. Boro is one of my pre-season picks for relegation but so were Man City.
Baptista was put in many different positions at Madrid all while trying to settle in. He was very good towards the end of the season and we’ll hope for him to recapture that form for Arsenal. They played him where Gravesen was because that’s the place where Madrid were weakest. Gravesen was very poor. Baptista was very good and proved his versatility.
Cygan was a very dependable squad CB for us. His departure shouldn’t hurt too much as we’ve replaced him with Gallas, but you’ve got to respect what he did here last season. Villareal was willing to pay that much money for him so they rated him highly. He was’t Sol or Kolo but how many people are? Anyway, that’s a remarkable payday for Arsenal for a guy that wasn’t even a starter.
The man is a model professional. It’s good that he’ll be at a team with a good chance of winning stuff. Pascal never complained and gave his best when selected. It was easy for those who like to follow the herd to dump on the man but he wasn’t nearly as bad as too many claimed he was. Yes, he was slow, timid, and made his share of mistakes, but he was an Invincible and a part of many of AFC’s proudest moments. He even made EPL Team of the Week and chipped in with a few goals along the way. Like him or not, Pascal was a good servant to our great club and took all the negatives thrown at him sans reaction. Cygan was far more skillful and a better reader of the game than your average EPL defender.
I'm just relieved that Arsenal is back on an even keel. In fact I think it's better than that, by selling Gallas to Arsenal Chelsea have handed us the strongest defensive partnership in the Premiership. Stronger than Terry & Carvhallo, as our boys have more pace - Carvhallo is a good defender but a liability pulling people's shirts all the time.
If Clichy and Eboue can get a decent season under the belts and progress we will have a defence with frightening recovery pace.
I think Baptista will be a decent acquisition at the Emirates, not so sure about away from home.
I don't think Arsenal can win the league, but at least we're in a position where I can look forward to winning more games than we lose and actually being up there and entertained! That's the most important thing.
one. gallas is DOUBLE the player campbell was for us in the last 2 years. gallas has a very good tackle just like sol, but he is at least 3 times faster! why, he is even faster than kolo! add the fact that he can move the ball out well.
on the other hand campbell was NON-EXISTENT for us last season. so we have improved in that department. FOR SURE!
two. i dont know how rosicky will pan out - neither do u. so we have to wait to make a judgement. but the truth of the matter is where was pires (and ljunberg) when we needed them in the beginning of last season when we were losing. pires is not the player he once was. and last season he didnt offer so much apart from being our second highest goalscorer. even at that he scored just TWO more than RvP who didn’t even play a quarter of our matches!.
personally i think with baptista and rosicky for reyes and pires. we should be at about the same level OR BETTER.
cygan better than djorou and hoyte? maybe. how nice that u say this now after cygan is gone. LOL!
Totally agree, nipuna. And I think Baptista will be able to play alongside Cesc in a more defensive role it need be. He likes to get forward, but so does Gilberto at times. Heck, he’s got our only goal this season.
Gallas for Cole came in about 5 mill short for me, but I’m so happy that C?ntly is gone I don’t care. Most hated Arsenal player ever, in my book. But he got what he wanted - 90k/week and all the chavvy fans he could ever want. Match made in hell, right there.
I can’t wait until The Arsenal reign supreme again and that beef curtain Reyes and the lying midget tw*t Cole have to watch the beautiful game at its finest again from their TV sets. Of course, Reyes will just cry to his mommy and Ashley will give himself a call and all will be well again.
i think we are relatively stronger than last season…….IF injuries dont strike again.
and this obsession with a backup for DM i think is exaggerated. we have flamini, denilson, song, diaby and people are not satisfied. the truth of the matter is there is NO club in the world who has TWO very good DMs. no quality DM will want to come over to a club to sit behind the first choice and hope for injuries or rotation to get a game.
who is the DM at liverpool? alonso is the only one who SITS infront of the defense and sprays passes. sissoko roams around so is not a DM and gerrard is not one.
who is the DM at Man U? u have the likes of O?Shea and co. carrick, fletcher and scholes are NOT DMs.
as for chelsea. they have makelele. who is the backup for him? LASSANA DIARRA. who is simply POTENTIAL, nothing more. and no, essien is not a DM in the sense of somebody sitting infront of defense. essien roams around and is more of the gattuso type of player.
so you see, there is no need exaggerating the DM point. we are well covered.
what we need now is a bit of width. wenger should address that in january.
so what do u want us to do? stop watching football?
why do u like to put a dampener on all things? u dont even propose a solution to footballs impending “death”.
the deals are good short term but not long term? if four years is short term i am VERY happy about that, thank you. OR would u have prefered us to buy a 16 year old CB instead of gallas? or is it our fault cole and reyes wanted to leave.
we are competing against a chelsea juggernaut who clearly see us as an opponent to be feared and subdued and i think we are doing quite well.
absolutely…totally agree….All in all, a good transfer season for us….I wonder if Arsene is going to use The Beast as a defensive MF, much like Vieira, or will he use him as an attacking midfielder like Julio is used to at Madrid??? I think both he and Gallas will give us much needed muscle in the middle.
I rate Gallas but am still disappointed…How highly is he valued? If we rate Ash at 20MM and receive Gallas and 5MM, is he worth 15MM? Please do not moan about circumstances,etc. For 15MM we could have swooped up Zambrotta, Thuram AND Cannavaro from Juventus. Please do not moan about their age. We have the ability to win now. And their wages? I do not know. I am disappointed. Seems like bad business to me.
Let’s admit an exageration on the “DOUBLE the player” and “3 times faster”. But Gallas is not that much better than Campbell was at the end of last season. He asked about the end of last season.
Secondly, I’ve been watching Rosicky since he signed for Dortmund and I can say with full assurance that he can not play a wide role. He’s always been a central player and if we have no width, teams will stay narrow and will be very tough to score on.
Arsenal’s very chemistry changed last season with the departure of Vieira who would always make himself available, Henry being captain now and staying more central, and no Ashley Cole overlaps. Pires and Reyes lost the option of checking more centrally with those three changes to the team. Do you honestly think Pires has suddenly lost the ability to play? NUTS!
Thirdly, I’ve always been a Cygan advocate. If you read my posts I’ve said nothing but positive things about Cygan on numerous occasions to include how many clean sheets we’ve kept with him in the team.
campbell has been a NONENTITY for us in the past ONE YEAR. ACCEPT IT!
gallas is FASTER than KOLO. and campbell doesnt even come close to kolo in pace. so there u go.
in the last year he scored only 2 more than RvP who didnt even play a quarter of the games pires played. pires is 33 and was given the option to stay, he chose not to. what on earth do u want us to do? cry?
August 31st, 2006 at 5:08 pm
2 million for Cygan from Villareal as well. Not a bad day's worth of business.
August 31st, 2006 at 5:18 pm
I wonder if Wenger will make a last minute pursuit of Frank Ribery. He has said that he might bid for him if someone leaves us and now when Reyes is off to Madrid maybe Ribery is on his way to Arsenal. We will see for about 45 minutes.
The Beast will be great for us. He is physical and can play both midfield and striker. I think we should use him as a partner for Henry, cos RvP and Adebayor aren’t consistent.
As for Gallas, what can I say? He is one of the best defenders in the world. And if Clichy can stay injury free imagine our back four with Eboue/Lauren, Toure, Gallas and Clichy. They would be great.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:09 pm
Less than an hour to get a defensive midfielder to provide competition for Gilberto. A guy can hope, right?
August 31st, 2006 at 7:11 pm
I can’t say I’ve seen anything but highlight clips of baptista so at the moment I’m unsure about him. Sounds like is is a powerful player with an eye for goal though so if he follows through on the potential that wenger sees in him then i think its good. Certainly doesn’t hurt to be rid of that slimeball reyes. Same thing can be said for cole as well and its great to hear about gallas as he is obviously quality. Hopefully these moves can breath some zest into the clubhouse and we can turn it on and put this slow start behind us.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:12 pm
It looks like we have Baptista and Gallas for Reyes and Cole plus money. It could be argued that this is not going to improve our squad that much, Ashley Cole the best left-back in the world etc. etc. but if you look at what two unmotivated players might have given us this season, in my humble opinion, we are probably better off. The best news is that Cygan is gone. Better to give Djourou, Connolly and Garry a game if there are multiple injuries than letting Cygan near our team.
After reflection overnight on the comings and goings, tomorrow is a good day to assess the squad, especially when we see the 25 going to UEFA tomorrow for the Champions League.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:12 pm
We are still lacking a defensive midfielder. Unless Wenger wants to convert Gallas or Lauren into one. Doing so would not be such a bad idea and will allow Sendoros to develop. And when Clichy is fit, we will have a pretty strong defence. With so many attacking midfielders (add Baptista), Ribery would be a luxury and an expensive one as well. 2m pounds for Cygan is very good business when u consider he is not even 2nd choice in the positions he play in. Good luck to Cygan. He had been a true soldier for Arsenal, taking alot of crap from fans but still trying his best. He should do well in the less physical La Liga.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:18 pm
Thank you Mr Wenger for getting Gallas, this signing is utterly crucial - the difference this will make to the team is massive. At last we have a world class centre back to compliment Toure. Now the left back problem isn’t such a massive problem - having Djourou and Hoyte playing together was a bloody joke.
As for Baptista, I am less happy about this because I think Baptista has been pushed out the door and doesn’t really want to be here. He also looked pretty awful during his stint at Madrid, but hopefully Wenger can get the best out of him He might look the part, but for a man of his size it’s very disappointing how he’s always falling over at the slightest contact. I just get the feeling he doesn’t want to be at Arsenal and will probably leave in the summer, whereas Reyes will give 150% to Real Madrid.
But Gallas is a MASSIVE signing, it can turn the season around for us. Maybe the players can play now without having to worry about some of the mugs behind them. Wenger has pulled it off thank god, couldn’t have left it much later though.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:22 pm
If we are going to convert a defender into DM, I think the best player for the job would be Toure. Gallas and Senderos as central defenders and Kolo as a holding midfielder it might work. And I want Ribery only because we don’t have a pure wingers in the squad, OK only Walcott, but he is still young. We lack width and that will be our main problem this year, so that’s the reason why I think Ribery should have been signed.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:27 pm
According to Soccernet, the deal for Cole/Gallas has not been confirmed yet. DOn;t know if their report is very accurate or up to date though.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:32 pm
I’ve said it before; What about Lauren? He was a MF in Spain before going through the Wenger transformation.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:34 pm
According to Sky Sports it’s a done deal.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:35 pm
No confirmation of anything yet…
August 31st, 2006 at 7:35 pm
Ahem…
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1862779,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=5
August 31st, 2006 at 7:36 pm
Their scout needs shooting.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:39 pm
He was right-sided midfielder, not central or defensive. Also I think that best suited players for the DM position are central defenders with skills. Look at Ledley King at Spurs. He can play as DM without a problem. Ramos at Real Madrid played last season in a couple of games as a DM and did well, Kompany has played as a DM, and I think(I’m not sure) that Gilberto was a center back before playing as a DM. Also Kolo has the skills to play in midfield, so I think he would be great if he plays there.
August 31st, 2006 at 7:47 pm
Please, please let it be true.
August 31st, 2006 at 8:32 pm
Every Arsenal supporter are foaming at the mouth in anticipation and we finally get confirmation. The Sun first edition will report the deal is confirmed. Skysports tv still had no confirmation at 2400 but did report a single office light burning at Stamford Bridge (someone working the fax). The deal is Gallas + 5 mil for Cole. Physicals have been completed by both players. Barclay’s EPL Preview Show also confirms the Gallas-Cole swap (2000 EST).
AW has done what needed to be done. An experienced CB (first and foremost) and a MF who can play DM (where he started), CF, and CM. I do have my concerns about the quality of Baptista. His desire for RM exposed him to a difficult situation (are you listening El Rey). Three coaches in one year and none of them with a clue as to how to play him. I’m trusting Wenger to have the answer and unleash the beast who looked shackled at RM.
Our corner kick scoring should improve with Toure, Gilberto, Baptista in the middle and Gallas doing his sneaky back post runs.
August 31st, 2006 at 8:38 pm
Who knows whom to believe at this point… a bit upsetting Arsenal.com has yet to post a word on today’s chaos!
There is this: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/5297616.stm
August 31st, 2006 at 9:12 pm
The Gallas signing is MASSIVE…it gives us a lot of confidence in the back. The Beast, we'll have to see. I wasn't very impressed with him last year for Madrid, but we'll just have to see. The best news is that Cygan is gone….
August 31st, 2006 at 9:37 pm
Check this out for the ultimate in ironies:http: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuUe47IFlac&NR. Yes, you are seeing #10 Reyes congratulating his teammate Julio (The Beast) Baptista on his goals at Seville. Goes around, comes around.
August 31st, 2006 at 9:58 pm
http://WWW.CHELSEAFC.COM
CONFIRMATION, there is a joint statement (read: it is quite literally a 'statement', no story behind it) by Arsenal FC and Chelski FC. Cole to Chelsea, Gallas + 5 million GBP to the ARSENAL…I AM OVERJOYED…..
but…does Gallas really want to join us, or will he be the same cranky bastard he was at Chelsea and demand a transfer next summer??? same with Baptista…will he actually sign with us permanently???
August 31st, 2006 at 10:02 pm
Happy that we off-loaded Reyes. He simply didn’t want to be here. Baptista will have a chance to prove himself, and Wenger wanted “The Beast” badly last year. He got his man. Time will tell if it works out. I think it will.
Cole. I am torn. Kinda wanted him to stay, as he said he would play for another year, but at the end of the day… he wanted to go. Glad we got a PLAYER for him as well. Gallas is very good. He will definitely help defensively. Wish we could have SPENT the $5 Million GBP we got AND the $2 Million we somehow got for Cygan! (go figure!)…
We certainly could have used another player in the DM position… but at least we got rid of the 2 players that didn’t want to be here… and talent came in.
Well done.
Now someone PLEASE tell me how West Ham managed to get two BIG name players that United and Arsenal were after… LARGE figures were being thrown around monetarily… and WEST HAM?? feckin’ West Ham managed to buy BOTH of them????
Are you kidding me? Something REALLY stinks in this one. They both opted for West Ham over CL football and big teams…?
a) How much were they bought for?
b) Where did West Ham get that kind of money?
c) Was Chelsea somehow involved?
Interesting day to say the least. I REALLY was hoping that West Ham getting those two would open the door for REO-COKER to come our way. That would have been MASSIVE… a very good young player in the DM mode.
We did something. We a few things. The effort itself makes me very happy. Looking forward to seeing both Gallas and Baptista on the pitch for the club.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:25 pm
This are both great signings…Eventhough we got less money than we all thought we would get, the satisfaction of kicking their ass will be priceless..By losing Gallas, Chelsea is very weak at the center back position..They better hope that Terry or Carvalho doesn’t get hurt, if not it is Huth.
Some comments on this site have mentioned their doubt about Baptista..I can tell you Wenger is so right on this one..This was the one signings I was hoping for..He can play CM and forward…He will be able to come in for TH or Cesc..He was the main reason that Madrid made their late run last year..He took a while to adapt at Real but they don’t know what they lost..Capello is a fool. He has got a very defensive team and is playing with 2 defensive midfielders..Can’t wait to kick his butt like we did when he was coach of Juventus..They practically created no chances on our goal. I watched Baptista in the Real Madrid vs Real Salt Lake game..He was simply their best player eventhough the press was gaga over Robinho…Baptista has never gotten the respect.
If Ribery was in today, it would have been a perfect day. At least it gives us something to hope for in the next transfer window.
Bring on Chelsea and the Manures now.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:26 pm
I might be wrong, but I believe that Gallas’ contract only runs through this year and he has made noises before about playing in another country. Seems like a rental player unless they can convince him otherwise. Don’t get me wrong though, I love the fact that they got a guy who can play in the center and on the left. I just wish Arsenal would have gotten a DM. Baptista started there, but I wonder whether he would be willing to go back to that position on occasion.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:37 pm
I really think Wenger trusts Song to be the replacement..I know he has received a lot of slack but he is young playing a very challenging position…They are no great DM’s who can play at the top level at his age..I like him..He has tenacity and when he loses the ball, he goes after it and wins it back..Plus he will have a good physique to dominate in a few years.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:39 pm
See above RE: Tevez + Mascherano…..Chelsea IS involved
August 31st, 2006 at 10:45 pm
just in case you have any doubt!
http://www.chelseafc.com/article.asp?hlid=413499&title=Cole+to+Chelsea,+Gallas+to+Arsenal&nav=news
this is the haedline on chelsea’s web site.
thank god we brought in some thugs! I am sure the beast will surprise you once he’s out of Real STARFCKR madrid.
up the Arsenal!
August 31st, 2006 at 11:17 pm
Wenger did spend the 7m pounds. He bought the Brazilian U-19 captain Denilson from Sao Paola in a deal that will reach 4m pound. Denilson is a defensive midfielder. So in 1 day, we got rid of Reyes, Cole & Cygan and brought in Baptista, Gallas, Ito and Denilson with 3m pound change. I think the Cole-Gallas deal is a bad one for Arsenal but thats what happens when transfer dealings are left to the last day.
August 31st, 2006 at 11:18 pm
Crazy and fascinating day! And I’m very pleased with the outcome. Got rid of the two rotten apples and Cygan. Gallas is absolutely world class and also brings great experience to the team, and is comfortable with the PL. I haven’t seen Baptista that much, but I know most people were begging for him to join a year ago. And just the fact that he didn’t initially light Real Madrid on fire with their lousy coaches, I won’t hold against him. Hopefully Wenger can get the best of him, and hopefully he can adjust to the weather, culture, etc.
I also saw a couple of places that we signed Danilson, the Brazil U-19 captain (DM). Wiht all the rumors flying around today, I’m not sure if we should believe it though. And I’m not sure how he would get a work permit, unless he’s another one of those ‘exceptional talents like Song’ of course!
August 31st, 2006 at 11:38 pm
Rosicky, Baptista and Gallas in….Cole and Reyes out
No doubt all those fond of lecturing and berating Wenger will be suitably repentent and find a new and refreshing level of enlightenment
….until next time that is :~;
September 1st, 2006 at 12:20 am
make no bones about it….Chelsea did not want to let Gallas go…they lose one of the worlds best centrebacks to a club that they aspire to be
September 1st, 2006 at 12:50 am
It’s pretty much what I wanted. Reyes and Cole were disrespectful and didn’t want to be here and so it was time to get rid of them. I really think we should have gotten more then 5m cash but otherwise it’s not bad. Gallas was great in the WC and brings in the kind of experience we lost with Sol. We finally brought in The Beast, I think he’ll provide a different and much needed style to the midfield and offense. And Henry ought to be reasonably happy with the results even if we didn’t bring in many additional bodies. Who’d have thought Cygan was worth that much (although I know we give him more stick than he probably deserves, remember that brace?) I bet we add during January as well, but this should do us nicely. Too bad it couldn’t have been concluded before the season started so they’d have had more time to settle.
September 1st, 2006 at 1:32 am
I am happy with the Cole-Gallas swap. Can’t escape the fact that Chelsea got Cole on the cheap. But Gallas is an experienced, versatile and premiership class defender. Chelsea are also weakened. It will plug a gaping hole in our defence. It is better than getting a lot of money for Cole but not spending it. I hope he has been signed on a long term contract.
I am also happy with the Reyes-Baptista loan deal. It makes a lot of sense. Reyes wanted out. Baptista didn’t but was forced out. AW gets a player he wanted before and has one year to fit him in the team and convince him to stay longer.
I am trying to see where Baptista fits in. Last season, it made a lot of sense. Vieira had left. Cesc wasn’t established. Diaby and Ade weren’t there. Baptista could fill in multiple roles. What now? It remains to be seen.
Overall, I am happier than yesterday. We got players in the two areas where almost every Arsenal fan wanted to strengthen. Now we can concentrate on more mundane things like finishing off chances we create in games.
September 1st, 2006 at 1:34 am
Djourou + Hoyte against Hmaburg and Man Utd away was a scary thought.
I share your thoughts on Baptista, but a loan deal makes good sense.
September 1st, 2006 at 1:36 am
HAHA….But Wenger bought him. It’s his scouting you should be judging….
September 1st, 2006 at 1:49 am
It’s been fully confirmed…..
September 1st, 2006 at 1:49 am
It’s been fully confirmed…..deal is done
September 1st, 2006 at 1:58 am
believe me Terry and Carvalho have very capable backup in Boulharouz. He can play as either centre back or Side back.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:37 am
Believe me, this is an early Xmas gift. What appeases me the most is the fact that Mr. Moronhio and his best pal c**t face Kenyon are at each other's neck for allowing Gallas go. The reason why this deal did not go thru all this while is because of this very ordeal. They just could not imagine us having Gallas.
Cole is a good player but nobody pays over 15m for any left back that I know but 30m has been known to be spent on a defender. The point here is that Central defenders have more influences in how a team gells as a force to reckon with. I heard our grat Alan Smith say that this morning.
As for the Baptista deal, what more are you guys asking for…with one swoop, AW has gotten quick fixes to our midfield and goal problems. Don't worry about him staying happy. That's what AW does best and he has a compatriot in Gilberto.
I am really over the hill over this. Let me try and convince folks who think Chelsea got Cole on the cheap. Even if we were to get 30m for Cole, do you honestly think AW will spend a good part of that booty on quality players? I leave you to answer that.
Up the Arse!
September 1st, 2006 at 4:40 am
We are better off in the short term but I am not sop sure about long term.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:48 am
what’s wrong with Baptista as a DM - that’s what Sevilla signed him as only to discover that he could score goals too…
September 1st, 2006 at 4:49 am
I think I remember Danny and a few others pointed out let’s not worrying too much (abt the new signings) until the transfer window closed… and it happened exactly that way!
Personally, I think it’s two very solid moves, or I should say FOUR very solid moves! Getting rid of two players who didn’t want to play for us, two trouble makers who would potentially harm the team… And got ourselves two players who will fit into the areas where we needed to improve most - defence and central midfield.
I am quite confident Gallas will fit in well, and will be very useful to our defence as he can play across the back 4 and offer us experience. The Breast I’m not so sure, mainly because whether he really wants to play for us or not. Anyway, this is a big guy, it will surely help.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:52 am
We will miss Jose, Pires, and Cole. If you look at the two games we’ve played this season, we’ve not played bad football but we haven’t won either. That’s because we’ve had no width.
Jose’s service from wide positions plus a dribbling threat caused teams to have to come out. That made space for others to get off a shot. We haven’t had that space to shoot, so goals are hard to get. Bobby provided us that width too and got narrow only when beating someone dribbling or someone else (Cole or Henry) got wide for him. Last year saw a change where Jose had Captain Henry staying more central, Cole was broke, and Patrick, who came and got the ball from everybody faster than Fab does, was gone. Think boys, even Pires looked ineffective. Had Bobby suddenly gotten that bad? Come on now.
Think, after Lauren’s injury, Gilbert and Eboue came in. They like to get forward a bit more and gave us width in the attacking third. Suddenly Hleb, who had looked like a dud began to look like a stud. When teams would converge on Hleb, he released Eboue. Defenses lost their shape and scoring chances appeared. Only thing is he Hleb doesn’t shoot or follow shots like Pires did so he doesn’t get goals. Jose would shoot if he could get central.
The biggest loss is Jose who depsite a lack of support was still able to lead the team in assists. It didn’t help that he had to play with 23 different left backs and the captain hated him. He gave us more defensively than Pires or Hleb ever did. There’s a reason Arsene Wenger paid so much for the gypsy. We’re going to miss Jose Reyes; especially in Europe. In 17th place, I’d say we already are.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:53 am
dannyboy, Baptista was made to play in 5 different positions at Madrid and only in his favoured attacking mid in the last 10 games of the season (he scored in 5 consecutive games). He’ll be a good signing, powerful if nothing else and a decent passer.
Gallas - spot on, we’ve acquired one of the best centre backs in the world and lost the best left back. I’d rather have it down the centre thanks.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:56 am
FACT OF THE DAY:
henry and gallas are born on the exact SAME DAY in the exact same year - Aug 17, 1977 - both were born in paris - both are of guadelopian ancestry.
as coincidences go, i wouldnt be surprised if they were born in the same hospital … LOL!
oh yeah, they are also best buddies as well.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:58 am
But when Arsenal scouted him he was French defender of the yea. Who have Villarreal been watching? A dozy clot who can’t defend save his life, and they gave us our money back. Astonishing.
September 1st, 2006 at 4:58 am
We wanted experience.
We wanted a decent centre back.
We wanted a powerful midfielder.
We wanted someone who shoots from distance.
Tick, tick and tick - the club has delivered and thrown in Denilson to keep Wenger sweet.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:03 am
i agree….we will miss reyes. he didnt become great for us but even then he was FUNDAMENTAL for our counterattacking game, which we no longer have, he also gave us width and direct running. he was also the very best long-range passer and was VERY hardworking. and all this despite he was never happy, settled or on form here.
too bad he has a weak character.
i still think he will be great for madrid…he will be really massive there.
wenger should get a WINGER in january, we need a bit more width.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:15 am
mourinho was absolutely FURIOUS with kenyon, when he realized he gave us gallas. that just says it ALL.
chelsea said we got 5 million, but some reports say 10 million. remember arsenal never talk about their prices, so chelsea can say whatever price they wish.
i personall think it is 5 million RISING to 10 million depending on appearances, etc.
all in all: Cole for Gallas plus Cash = GREAT DEAL!
and when u add the 2 million for cygan…swweeeet.
and oh yeah, we have ANOTHER brazilian DM in denilson. he is a captain so at least he?s got leadership skills. he is also same age with Song….but for some reason i already rate him better…LOL. talk about biased.
and finally, its OFFICIAL: we have the FASTEST defence in EUROPE….that is for sure. just imagine the recovery times. clichy or eboue makes a mistake? no problem….toure or gallas is there in a flash to clean up the mess.
eboue - toure - gallas - clichy
i dont know what u guys think, but personally i think the toure-gallas axis is the best in the country - and that is why mourinho was furious, screaming at his boss.
September 1st, 2006 at 5:27 am
so:
——————-Henry———————-
——————-(Ade)———————-
—-Rosicky———————–RvP———
—-(Walcott)——————–(Aliadere)—
——–Fabregas————Baptista———-
—-(Rosicky/Diaby)———(Hleb/Flamini)—-
—————–gilberto———————
—————-(denilson/Song)—————
clichy——gallas——-toure——-eboue—-
(hoyte)–(senderos)—–(djorou)—-(lauren)–
————lehmann—————————
————-(almunia)————————
i say: NOT BAD !!!
September 1st, 2006 at 5:39 am
OK, So from last season, Pires, Cole, Reyes, Campbell and Bergkamp have left, a raft of fringe players have been put out on loan and Cygan has been sold.
We have bought, Rosicky, Baptista and Gallas, with a number of young players joining, including Merida.
The wage bill has been vastly reduced.
I dont believe we actually spent a penny, but we have got rid of some of the older players, and also the unhappy players.
We need to find a left back, but Lauren could play there who has experience, Flamini, Clichy or even Traore. Senderos could even play here, and lets not forget, players get injured and suspended, so the likes of Senderos and Djourou will get plenty of games.
We need to make sure the player on playing LM is solid and tracks back, this needs to be Freddie.
As posted by irishgunner, it is great Cygan has left as it will mean the youngsters will get a chance.
Lets hope that Cole gets a bit of the AW vuddoo, and like Pires and Edu, picks up an injury….
Shall I pass you a pin, AW??
September 1st, 2006 at 6:14 am
Fred, DM looks weak here.
Hopefully Diaby and Baptista can cover.
As posted before, our weak flank will be the left one, so we need a LM who can track back, so it looks like Freddie might make an impact here.
However do you think we are stronger know than we were at the end of last season, I do?
We are 1000% stronger than we were for the Man City game, so Boro beware….
September 1st, 2006 at 6:35 am
I don’t think we’re stronger than last year. I don’t rate Gallas that much higher than Sol Campbell. Rosicky is not better than Reyes or Pires, neither is he more dynamic than Reyes. Hoyte isn’t even in Cole’s league as a LB and neither is anyone else we have. How are we stronger? The “so-called strength” of our team was the left and that entire starting side for the past 5 years left all in the same off-season.
And for the record, I believe Cygan is better at CB than Djourou and LB than Hoyte. His passing was poor at times but he held his own against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and others with no fuss. He didn’t even come close to being the reason we dropped any points last season. We kept a lot of clean sheets with him in the team last year while we haven’t kept a single clean sheet this year.
That being said, I’m really looking forward to this season. But at the end of last season where we had an in-form Sol, Gilberto, Reyes, Pires, and fit again Cole, there is no way we’re better now than then. Boro is one of my pre-season picks for relegation but so were Man City.
September 1st, 2006 at 6:48 am
Baptista was put in many different positions at Madrid all while trying to settle in. He was very good towards the end of the season and we’ll hope for him to recapture that form for Arsenal. They played him where Gravesen was because that’s the place where Madrid were weakest. Gravesen was very poor. Baptista was very good and proved his versatility.
Cygan was a very dependable squad CB for us. His departure shouldn’t hurt too much as we’ve replaced him with Gallas, but you’ve got to respect what he did here last season. Villareal was willing to pay that much money for him so they rated him highly. He was’t Sol or Kolo but how many people are? Anyway, that’s a remarkable payday for Arsenal for a guy that wasn’t even a starter.
September 1st, 2006 at 7:13 am
Au revoir Pascal. Merci et bonne chance.
The man is a model professional. It’s good that he’ll be at a team with a good chance of winning stuff. Pascal never complained and gave his best when selected. It was easy for those who like to follow the herd to dump on the man but he wasn’t nearly as bad as too many claimed he was. Yes, he was slow, timid, and made his share of mistakes, but he was an Invincible and a part of many of AFC’s proudest moments. He even made EPL Team of the Week and chipped in with a few goals along the way. Like him or not, Pascal was a good servant to our great club and took all the negatives thrown at him sans reaction. Cygan was far more skillful and a better reader of the game than your average EPL defender.
Long live Pascal.
September 1st, 2006 at 7:19 am
I'm just relieved that Arsenal is back on an even keel. In fact I think it's better than that, by selling Gallas to Arsenal Chelsea have handed us the strongest defensive partnership in the Premiership. Stronger than Terry & Carvhallo, as our boys have more pace - Carvhallo is a good defender but a liability pulling people's shirts all the time.
If Clichy and Eboue can get a decent season under the belts and progress we will have a defence with frightening recovery pace.
I think Baptista will be a decent acquisition at the Emirates, not so sure about away from home.
I don't think Arsenal can win the league, but at least we're in a position where I can look forward to winning more games than we lose and actually being up there and entertained! That's the most important thing.
September 1st, 2006 at 7:38 am
one. gallas is DOUBLE the player campbell was for us in the last 2 years. gallas has a very good tackle just like sol, but he is at least 3 times faster! why, he is even faster than kolo! add the fact that he can move the ball out well.
on the other hand campbell was NON-EXISTENT for us last season. so we have improved in that department. FOR SURE!
two. i dont know how rosicky will pan out - neither do u. so we have to wait to make a judgement. but the truth of the matter is where was pires (and ljunberg) when we needed them in the beginning of last season when we were losing. pires is not the player he once was. and last season he didnt offer so much apart from being our second highest goalscorer. even at that he scored just TWO more than RvP who didn’t even play a quarter of our matches!.
personally i think with baptista and rosicky for reyes and pires. we should be at about the same level OR BETTER.
cygan better than djorou and hoyte? maybe. how nice that u say this now after cygan is gone. LOL!
September 1st, 2006 at 7:39 am
Chelsea posters are going ape….they didn’t want to lose Gallas and certainly not to us!!!
September 1st, 2006 at 7:58 am
Everyone is happy apart from me. I’ve to agreed with Mr Teabag here “Short term these deals are all good but not sure about the long term”
The end of football as we all know it. English football is becoming like American sports and soon rather than later the game will die.
Is all about money and player power. We got rid of 2 bad rotten apples and purchased one from another club. What next with these players?
Hey what do I know? Cygan is worth ?2m and West Ham can even signed the best deals. This tells us something rotton about the game we like.
September 1st, 2006 at 8:06 am
Totally agree, nipuna. And I think Baptista will be able to play alongside Cesc in a more defensive role it need be. He likes to get forward, but so does Gilberto at times. Heck, he’s got our only goal this season.
Gallas for Cole came in about 5 mill short for me, but I’m so happy that C?ntly is gone I don’t care. Most hated Arsenal player ever, in my book. But he got what he wanted - 90k/week and all the chavvy fans he could ever want. Match made in hell, right there.
I can’t wait until The Arsenal reign supreme again and that beef curtain Reyes and the lying midget tw*t Cole have to watch the beautiful game at its finest again from their TV sets. Of course, Reyes will just cry to his mommy and Ashley will give himself a call and all will be well again.
September 1st, 2006 at 8:28 am
i think we are relatively stronger than last season…….IF injuries dont strike again.
and this obsession with a backup for DM i think is exaggerated. we have flamini, denilson, song, diaby and people are not satisfied. the truth of the matter is there is NO club in the world who has TWO very good DMs. no quality DM will want to come over to a club to sit behind the first choice and hope for injuries or rotation to get a game.
who is the DM at liverpool? alonso is the only one who SITS infront of the defense and sprays passes. sissoko roams around so is not a DM and gerrard is not one.
who is the DM at Man U? u have the likes of O?Shea and co. carrick, fletcher and scholes are NOT DMs.
as for chelsea. they have makelele. who is the backup for him? LASSANA DIARRA. who is simply POTENTIAL, nothing more. and no, essien is not a DM in the sense of somebody sitting infront of defense. essien roams around and is more of the gattuso type of player.
so you see, there is no need exaggerating the DM point. we are well covered.
what we need now is a bit of width. wenger should address that in january.
September 1st, 2006 at 8:49 am
L_Gunners:
so what do u want us to do? stop watching football?
why do u like to put a dampener on all things? u dont even propose a solution to footballs impending “death”.
the deals are good short term but not long term? if four years is short term i am VERY happy about that, thank you. OR would u have prefered us to buy a 16 year old CB instead of gallas? or is it our fault cole and reyes wanted to leave.
we are competing against a chelsea juggernaut who clearly see us as an opponent to be feared and subdued and i think we are doing quite well.
September 1st, 2006 at 9:02 am
absolutely…totally agree….All in all, a good transfer season for us….I wonder if Arsene is going to use The Beast as a defensive MF, much like Vieira, or will he use him as an attacking midfielder like Julio is used to at Madrid??? I think both he and Gallas will give us much needed muscle in the middle.
September 1st, 2006 at 9:24 am
Re: Baptista- that’s my hope and my dream that AW has a clue as to what to do with The Beast. He has the directness in attack that we lack at present.
September 1st, 2006 at 9:51 am
I rate Gallas but am still disappointed…How highly is he valued? If we rate Ash at 20MM and receive Gallas and 5MM, is he worth 15MM? Please do not moan about circumstances,etc. For 15MM we could have swooped up Zambrotta, Thuram AND Cannavaro from Juventus. Please do not moan about their age. We have the ability to win now. And their wages? I do not know. I am disappointed. Seems like bad business to me.
September 1st, 2006 at 3:50 pm
Let’s admit an exageration on the “DOUBLE the player” and “3 times faster”. But Gallas is not that much better than Campbell was at the end of last season. He asked about the end of last season.
Secondly, I’ve been watching Rosicky since he signed for Dortmund and I can say with full assurance that he can not play a wide role. He’s always been a central player and if we have no width, teams will stay narrow and will be very tough to score on.
Arsenal’s very chemistry changed last season with the departure of Vieira who would always make himself available, Henry being captain now and staying more central, and no Ashley Cole overlaps. Pires and Reyes lost the option of checking more centrally with those three changes to the team. Do you honestly think Pires has suddenly lost the ability to play? NUTS!
Thirdly, I’ve always been a Cygan advocate. If you read my posts I’ve said nothing but positive things about Cygan on numerous occasions to include how many clean sheets we’ve kept with him in the team.
September 2nd, 2006 at 6:49 am
campbell has been a NONENTITY for us in the past ONE YEAR. ACCEPT IT!
gallas is FASTER than KOLO. and campbell doesnt even come close to kolo in pace. so there u go.
in the last year he scored only 2 more than RvP who didnt even play a quarter of the games pires played. pires is 33 and was given the option to stay, he chose not to. what on earth do u want us to do? cry?
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