Portsmouth swoop in to take another veteran Arsenal defender.
Lauren is headed to a good Portsmouth team. He will make them better on defense… guaranteed.
Nothing but good solid play from Lauren in his time at Arsenal. Part of all the titles in recent years… never shoots his mouth off… no bullshite… no showboating or diving… JUST a CLASS PLAYER, who always gave his all.
Sorry, but this one doesn’t make any sense.
Lauren is BETTER than anyone we currently have at Right Back.
He was arguably our best / most consistent player before getting injured last season… and has never done a damned thing wrong for the club.
Arsene got this one WRONG.
Lauren loses his job because he picks up an injury? Eboue is good, but he hasn’t been so good that Lauren is suddenly dispensible. Not immediately.
Good Luck Lauren. Thank you for your professional manner and the years of service to the club. YOU deserve a standing ovation next time you walk into the Emirates… no doubt our supporters will give it to you.
45 Responses to “So long Ralph…”
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January 18th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I certainly remember a time when Lauren was badmouthed by Arsenal fans. He wasn’t great, or super fast, or he had that one crazy own-goal… But as Stag correctly mentions, he was a phenomenal team player. Never a peep in the press, never whinging publicly for more money or slagging off teammates. Gave 100% in every match. I believe he was actually a better player than many gave him credit for, once earning election to an All-EPL team.
I will remember him for that, as well as a great PK to beat Spurs where he calmly rolled it right down the middle. I’ll also remember his icy cold stare that made me think he would not be a guy I’d want to meet in a dark alley.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Letting Lauren go bewilders me. Is it that Lauren has not recovered fully? Is it that Wenger really believes that Hoyte is a credible backup? Even if Wenger thinks Eboue is the answer, Arsenal still needs someone to cover right back if Eboue gets hurt.
Also, didn’t Lauren play midfield earlier in his career? Wouldn’t he better (tougher, taller, stronger) than Flamini as a defensive midfielder.
This move never made sense even when it was first bandied about in the press. Having said all that, however, I would not agree with Stag that he was “arguably our best / most consistent player before getting injured last season.” On more than several occasions last year and the year before last, Lauren’s lack of speed at right back was exposed by particularly speedy wingers. And speed (other than Senderos) seems to be the quality Wenger demands as a prerequisite before he considers any defender worthy of bearing Arsenal’s colors.
However, even acknowledging that Lauren lacks the pace to cover some of the speedburners in the EPL and Champions League, he is tough as nails, a consummate professional, tremendously useful, a real asset, and someone who will be missed.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
wow…
i had read all the rumours but I was just hoping it wasn’t going to happen. I’m really bummed about this…
I agree with you all… he was the definition of profesionalism in his time at the club and I even remember him at Mallorca playing his heart out. I wish him nothing but the best and I am sure he will make us miss him way more than we realize.
Bergkamp, Vieira, Edu, Sol, Pires and now Lauren … damn it
January 18th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
There were several times in the last two years where Lauren’s lack of speed down the right flank was very apperent. C. Ronaldo skinned him down the right side several times in the last couple of meetings with Man U. Arse sees Hoyte and Eboue training everyday, he has also seen Lauren training and working his way back from injury. And there is also Gillbert, who you shouldn’t forget about. To get money, whatever the amount was, for a player who was out of contract at the end of the season and who was probably going to leave anyway, is a brilliant move.
The only people left from the invincibles is Henery, Bert, and Kolo. The spine of the team, which is the most important part on the pitch. The youth movement train at Arsenal has left the station. You can get aboard, or watch it pull out. I for one am aboard. Next season, and for many more to come, this team will great, with a spine of veteran internationals leading the way.
All aboard
January 18th, 2007 at 3:25 pm
That’s why I said “ARGUABLY”…
January 18th, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Bottom line, this is a business and you can’t sit around being sentimental about players. Thank you Lauren.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:29 pm
Brilliant move?
Yes, surely.
I am sure its a big moral booster for the other veterans.
Lauren was extremely well liked by his team-mates.
Not a brilliant move in any way.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
So its a “BUSINESS” when Arsenal (or any team) sell off a player who has been a faithful hardworking servant to the team…
However, if a player leaves for more money or greener pastures, he is a TRAITOR and gets GRILLED for his actions.
Makes a lot of sense to me.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:31 pm
Let me make it clearer to you then: I don’t think a credible argument can be made that Lauren was “our best/most consistent player before getting injured last season.” And that’s why I wrote that I don’t agree with you.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
Stag makes an important and valid point. We can’t have it both ways. It’s business when the club makes a decision that seems to elevate money over loyalty while torching players (such as Ashley Cole and maybe even Patrick Vieira) who make career decisions predicated primarily on money rather than loyalty. In fact, I would argue that the player (whose career is short by definition) has a better reason for treating cash as his primary concern whereas the club’s long term interests may be advanced if it is known as a club that values loyalty above short term monetary concerns.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:38 pm
no one ever wants players to leave, espically guys who have given their all to the cause for six years like Lauren has, but name me one person who Wenger has let go who really shinned someplace else.
Go ahead name one?
Wenger has seen the guys training every day, and I trust his judgment, just like I did when he let Paddy go and gave Cesc the keys to midfield.
Stag,weren’t you the same guy who was mad when Bently got sold? The other day I read on ANR that Arsenal has made 38 million pounds on the sale of players from the youth team. That is great business and so is this. It is what have you done for me lately, not in the past. And when Freddie leaves this summer, it will be the same thing
January 18th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I never begrudge a player for making a move to another team. What I don’t like is when the player handles the situation with a lack of class. Ashley Cole - no class. Vieira, in my opinion, was in the wrong for the yearly ’should I stay or should I go now’ routine.
Ray Parlour, Edu, Pires, Lauren - no problem.
Why can’t players just go talk to the boss and say, ‘I’d like to explore other career opportunities’ and if asked by the press say, ‘I’m an Arsenal player and at this time I won’t be speaking about my future.’
January 18th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
“Arsene got this one WRONG”? - Well, tell me something Stag, would you stick to some 30 years old right back who has just returned from a bad injury that kept him out for a whole year or play a 23 year old right back who in my opinion has the potential to be the best player in that position.
If Lauren stayed and play for another three years, do you think Eboue would stay to be a back up till he is 26? I don’t think so. I think this is a good move for all parties, Arsenal, Portsmouth, Lauren and Eboue. And he won’t be missed, we are used to play without him, he was out for a year.
Good luck Lauren, thanks for all you have done for Arsenal.
January 18th, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Come on Why Lauren now. At least try him for a game or 2. Let the fans at least be convinced with the move. Portsmouth has more soild back line than us.
You know what, sometimes expereince means much more than speed. I’d keep him till June even if we would lose him for free at the end of the season. I am sure Arsenal did not make more money than Henry’s monthly wage from selling him.
I don’t think Eboue or Houyte are the best right back …
January 18th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.? (Or whatever it is the small type always says.) It seems like a lot of this assumes Lauren will be the same player he was before the injury.? It's not just the physical aspects, either.? How is he mentally (he's been through an awful lot)?? And how long will it take him to ramp up to whatever his new 'best' will be?? All we know for sure, right now, is that he's another year older on a team that is fully committed to youth.? Full marks to a man I think we were all proud to see in Arsenal colors.? But I would be really surprised if anyone looked back on this in a year and said, “How could he have let him go?”
January 18th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
Fair enough, Rick. I agree with you regarding Cole but frankly I thought Cole went off the deep end when he got SO insulted by the 55,000 pound offer. As for Vieira yearly soap opera, I too grew weary but I think there was more to that story than met the eye.
January 18th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
I would have like to have seen Lauren play some games before he left, but at the end of the day Wenger clearly believes Eboue is first choice, so what’s the point of keeping Lauren, who won’t be happy sitting on the bench or playing second fiddle to Eboue?
Personally, if Lauren had not been injured for a year then I would still have put him above Hoyte and Eboue, but maybe his physical condition is suspect. I am sure every player has to perform tests, and if they can no longer reach certain physical conditions then Wenger will say goodbye.
The right back position does concern me though, because Eboue is the biggest cheat the club has ever seen and I really dislike him, and Hoyte is pretty hopeless. I still hope Eboue will learn and improve mentally and positionally - or that position will be problematic for years.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I just don’t get it. What if Eboue is a cheat? Today every football player cheats sometimes. Robben cheats but Chelsea won the last 2 Premierships. Ronaldo and Rooney cheat and ManUtd. are on the road to win it this year. Deco cheats, Barca won last years CL. So, what if Eboue cheats. As long as the team is playing some great football I wouldn’t mind even if all our eleven players roll over the pitch.
And the right back position is not that problematic. If Eboue and Hoyte are not producing, there is Gilbert to take the place and also there is the young Paul Rodgers who plays for the reserves.
All I can say is THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
What exactly would be the problem with playing BOTH players?
Are you telling me we don’t have enough games for both?
Injuries? Cups? Suspensions?
Surely you jest if you can tell me there isn’t room for a SOLID defender at Right Back to play at Arsenal.
Matter of fact… Eboue is OUT now. Lauren would be a far better choice to be playing than Hoyte or any other youngster we have.
Thats just FACT. Don’t let that get in the way.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Well I don’t value success through cheating, if you do that’s your misery.
I don’t care what other clubs or players do, if they want to win by cheating let them - I prefer to win fair and square. The odd dive etc., fair enough it happens and you will never totally stamp it out, but Eboue is cheating ludicrously virtually every single week and it’s f*cking embarrassing.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Think long-term Stag, Eboue is the future. And he is not out, go on the official website and you will read that he is available.
January 18th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
Eboue Hoyte Gilbert and “Paul Rodgers”?
NONE of them have done squat compared to Lauren.
He is a PROVEN commodity who handles himself with class and dignity.
The point really is… Lauren is a BETTER option than Hoyte or Gilbert.
Even if he is playing behind Eboue… he would get ample opportunity to perform… providing experience that we just don’t have.
and as far as the CHEAT aspect of Eboue’s game… I don’t think he as bad as its being made out to be… but if YOU wouldn’t mind having 11 cheats playing for us… then you just don’t get it.
Its about MORE than the laundry. If we were a bunch of cheaters, why would you support the team? Its about the PLAYERS that play for the team, as much as the kit they are wearing. Lauren represented the ARSENAL FOOTBALL CLUB with CLASS.
January 18th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
1. Have you considered that Wenger knows something that we don’t? Lauren’s major weakness, as has been mentioned here, has been his lack of pace. At age 30, and with a major knee injury, perhaps Lauren has lost a yard of pace, further diminishing his effectiveness to be a top-class RB. I’m sure this is something that Wenger has stats on.
2. The English thing. I think that Wenger realises he needs to bring through a couple of English players, perhaps because of the new regulations (?), or at least to satisfy the (London, UK based) fans. So while many people think Hoyte is not good enough, keeping him as a reserve to Eboue at least retains an English presence in the squad. Added to this, Gilbert will be back in the squad next year, and will be able to give competition to Hoyte as first back-up to Eboue.
3. The emergence of Eboue. Not everyone’s cup of tea, and the thing that I have noticed this year, is that he never seems to recover from difficult situations in the way Toure does for example, and he is prone to lapses in concentration (case in point: Ronaldo at Old Trafford when Lehmann copped one right in the face). However, we should remember that he played a huge part in our CL run last year, coming up trumps against Robinho, Camorenese, etc…
4. Lauren is out of contract in the summer. Why not cash in on him and get a small fee? He is likely to leave in the summer anyway, and Wenger can’t guarantee him a slot so why not let him get back to doing what he does best.
While I can see both sides of the argument, this is an acceptable piece of business.
And between Eboue, Hoyte, and Gilbert, Wenger must feel confident that one of them can step up to be a top class consistent FB that Arsenal needs.
And Stag while I enjoy your posts, (much in the same way that I enjoy Mourinho press conferences), you should consider prefacing your arguments with an “In my opinion…”, or “I think…”. Writing “Arsene got this WRONG” makes you sound like Myles Palmer (who is pompous **AYE CARUMBA**(censored)), who I am sorry to say, has a lot more credibility than you.
January 18th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
“In my opinion…” and/or “I think…” are extraneous/redundant and don't make for better writing.? Obviously, it's his (strong) opinion. Just as your English lesson is obviously your opinion, even though you didn't qualify it that way. (Instead preferring, the possibly pompous sounding “You should….”).?
Otherwise, agree with your post completely, as I posted (less substantially) above. Nicely summarized.
January 18th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I agree. Eboue’s has started to get that primadonna thing going and he needs to readjust his persona.
Our old friend El Rey took a dive for Real Madrid today and they still went out of the Copa Del Rey.
We as Arsenal supporters hold our players to a higher standard. Players like Robbie Savage who dive to survive cannot even gather practice balls for our team. (Just an aside: When was the last time you heard a manager (Mark Hughes) cry about the other team’s red card causing his team to lose. WTF;)) Our players have too much quality for that sh*t.
January 18th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Vibe…
For the most part, everything on the site is “in my opinion”… that goes for everyone…
I often do say… imho… (in my humble opinion)…
Its part of what makes the site good… you can give your thoughts and impressions… and the others can agree, disagree, or savage you!!!
obviously, its MY opinion that this wasn’t a wonderful piece of business for the Arsenal, and its a mistake for THIS SEASON. I realize Lauren’s age… and I still say he’s great cover for Eboue, and I think he’s more consistent than Eboue… he’s BETTER than him, in my opinion!!
Hell… we had folks on this site PRIOR to Lauren’s injury, saying he should be CAPTAIN of the team, not Henry.
Now… he’s gone, and it was good business???
Please… I don’t subscribe to the theory that Wenger is infallible and can do no wrong. He’s a great manager and a good man… but he’s hardly perfect.
at the end of the day… LAUREN DESERVED BETTER.
January 18th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
Thank you for elaborating on why this is good BUSINESS for Arsenal. Old Harry is a sucker for this type of ‘aged’ player with the Arsenal pedigree. You don’t read where Lauren is whining about the move, so why should we. All Harry’s got at RB now is Glenn Johnson (Chelsea loanee). Portsmouth defense is worse than ours, especially against corners! Did someone see Sol Campbell in the Portsmouth defense or was that a figment of my imagination? So the morale of the story is when Wenger thinks you’re done, you really are DONE.
January 18th, 2007 at 11:21 pm
To me, the move can make sense. Speculations …
First, we have no hope to win the Premership, with or without him.
Second, Lauren would likely take a few games to become 100% (whatever 100% is for him - the big unknown), therefore he might not have had much of a significant immediate impact to help in the cups and CL (perhaps little at all even into May).
Third, he’s “old” and has been “damaged goods” for a year.
Fourth, he doesn’t fit into the youth movement of the future.
Fifth, the odds are likely that he’s worth more $ now than if he stayed and (a) got hurt again (distince possibility with long-injured players), and/or (b) did not exceed expectations.
Bottom line - buy low and sell high (as high as possible). Like it or not. Obviously alot of Gunners don’t.
All fans are emotional about their teams, including myself many times. We love the great ones that wore our favorite kit or uniform. We can’t bear to see the class acts go. All of that is wonderfully displayed in many of the comments herein.
But, I trust that Wenger knows that the time is best for many reasons. I trust him for many reasons.
I hope Lauren plays well for Pompey and finishes his career happy and healthy.
January 19th, 2007 at 4:12 am
Many, many thanks to Ralph, it’s sad to see him go.
I accept that I don’t really know what’s gone on behind the scenes and have to hope for the best, no matter how I might feel about us losing one of our true warriors.
January 19th, 2007 at 4:12 am
Some strong views and opinions here.
Lauren was a great player and will have a bright future in front of him.
We saw last season with 8 defenders out we have strength in depth.
Dont forget Djourou, he is a great defender and can play down the right as well.
The difference between Eboue, Hoyte & Gilbert when you compare them to Lauren is natural defending ability that you can only acquire with experience and games.
The best right back of the three is unknown, the one with the most games will become the better defender, and Toure will need to help out when they make mistakes.
Lucky for Wenger he has Bould & Keown as coaches, who knows in a few years down the line could Lauren join the coaching team as well?
January 19th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Makes perfect sense to me.
Lauren was hugely underrated by a large section of Arsenal fans, always zealous in the tackle, always putting up 80% pass completion and at least as good as G Neville (who is considered and England and Man U legend). Like Neville, though, he is not the quickest and Wenger probably remembers Ronaldo cruising past him in the FA cup final…and that was before a serious knee injury. He only had 6 months left on his contract, it was unlikely to be renewed, certainly not for the 2 1/2 years that Portsmouth have offered, and leaving now suits all parties. Goof luck Ralph.
It saves the club about 1m in wages and, while giving Gilbert a glimmer of hope, sends a timely vote of confidence to Eboue and Hoyte. I’m sure a Hoyte - Ronaldo match up is what most people consider our biggest weakness for Sunday, but Hoyte is at least quick and Ronaldo hasn’t always done the nest against players who can match him for pace. Whatever, I am 100% behind Hoyte and our own cheating wretch Eboue!
January 19th, 2007 at 5:06 am
Makes perfect sense to me.
Lauren was hugely underrated by a large section of Arsenal fans, always zealous in the tackle, always putting up 80% pass completion and at least as good as G Neville (who is considered and England and Man U legend). Like Neville, though, he is not the quickest and Wenger probably remembers Ronaldo cruising past him in the FA cup final…and that was before a serious knee injury. He only had 6 months left on his contract, it was unlikely to be renewed, certainly not for the 2 1/2 years that Portsmouth have offered, and leaving now suits all parties. Good luck Ralph.
It saves the club about 1m in wages and, while giving Gilbert a glimmer of hope, sends a timely vote of confidence to Eboue and Hoyte. I’m sure a Hoyte - Ronaldo match up is what most people consider our biggest weakness for Sunday, but Hoyte is at least quick and Ronaldo hasn’t always done the nest against players who can match him for pace. Whatever, I am 100% behind Hoyte and our own cheating wretch Eboue!
January 19th, 2007 at 8:56 am
Many people felt the same way about Silvinho after some of his performances in the CL when Wenger let him go to allow Ashley Cole to step into the role…
January 19th, 2007 at 8:59 am
Lauren doesn’t whine.
He’s CLASS.
Portsmouth has a GOOD DEFENSE and a GOOD TEAM. They are in position to make Europe next year.
Sol has played WELL for them. Have you seen them play this year?
He’s done well in the matches I’ve seen.
They have the 6th best defense in the league, and Lauren will make them even better.
Take the ARSENAL tinted glasses off.
January 19th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Lauren may very well start on Sat., since Glen Johnson just got arrested for stealing a toilet seat cover and a faucet. He was fined and released. What an a*****e.
January 19th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Stag…there's been a misunderstanding, I think.? It wasn't I chastising you for not saying “in my opinion”.? To the contrary, I said much the same as you did.? OBVIOUSLY it's your opinion.? For the reasons I stated elsewhere, it's not an opinion I necessarily agree with. But I'm o?ne who doesn't need to agree with all your posts in order to enjoy them.? I appreciate the ideas you bring to the table and think they are almost always worth discussing (which is what this is all about).
January 19th, 2007 at 4:27 pm
I have to agree with Stag saying Lauren was arguably our most consistent player before the injury. No question, the argument was between Lauren and Lehmann. Jose got an honorable mention while playing up front, but both Ralph and Mad Jens played exceptionally well last season.
January 19th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while but does anyone know what Lauren’s injury actually was? I looked over numerous articles and nothing says what caused his diagnosis to change from six weeks to one year.
It sounds like he may have had a meniscal tear and when they went in to repair the meniscus, decided to perform a microfracture. If anyone knows or remembers hearing what his injury was, kindly reply. I’m obviously very interested.
January 19th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
I would rather let Lauren go for free in the summer than a small fee (i doubt it would be more than a 1m) now, especially when he’s going to portsmouth which realistically is a top-6 club and we still have to play them at fratton park which could be a difficult 3-points (remember they lead 2-0 at Emirates).
I still consider Lauren an asset despite his lack of pace (even before his injury). A good defender should have good positional sense to begin with, know where the ball is likely to be played thru which Lauren’s experience provides. Eboue’s pace allows him to catch up to his mistake after poor positioning and made him appear to be a better defender than he really is. I would have loved for Laren to play a role for the rest of the campaign because there are still tonnes of games to be played and experience plays a role which Laren can provide.
I know Wenger wouldn’t offer a new contract to Lauren and to cash off now with a couple months left seems a good bit of business, but I just don’t think it was fair to let him go without at least playing him one more game just to confirm whether he is still good enough for Arsenal.
January 19th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Lauren was an Invincible and it’s hard to see him leave. Before his injury, he was the only field player who consistently looked like one of the Invincibles.
That was before the injury though, and Wenger had obviously seen enough in training to convince him that Lauren was not worth keeping. Wenger came out and publicly said he wanted to keep Ljunberg and even Aliadiere, but he never said that about Lauren. When your boss doesn’t support you publicly, it’s not a hard decision to leave and that’s what Lauren has done.
When he went down, Eboue slotted in nicely and when he left for the AFCON, Kerra Gilbert looked a mighty fine RB (in fact, better than Hoyte has to date). As well as Lauren played, we simply didn’t miss him when he was out injured. At 30, Wenger was never going to offer him a 2 1/2 year deal. This was truly the best move for all parties involved.
I would like to thank Lauren for his service and wish him the best as he continues with his career. Arsenal fans will hold you in our hearts forever.
January 19th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
If it really was microfracture then I can see why Arsenal let him go. That type of injury generally takes about two years to recover fully recover. Yes, you can still play, but not a the same level, so by the time he recovered he would be 31 and we all know how Arsene views the over 30 crowd. Having said that, I’m still sorry to see him go. He was a consumate professional and a team player and I wish him well on the rest of his career.
January 20th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Couldn’t agree with you more Stag. Plus his versatility is something we could use right now - especially since Gilberto will be out for 3 games. I had pencilled Lauren in, presuming he is fit, to play the holding role in Gilberto’s absence. Shows how much I know.
January 20th, 2007 at 10:42 pm
Yes… he could have been pretty good in that midfield spot…
thats what I imagined as well.
January 25th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Remaining invincibles: Henry, Gilberto, Toure, Lehmann, Ljundberg - not to mention likes of Fabregas who already with the club.
January 25th, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Remaining invincibles: Henry, Gilberto, Toure, Lehmann, Ljundberg - not to mention likes of Fabregas who were already with the club.