As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
Arsène Wenger expects to welcome a new defender to Arsenal "quite soon".
The manager has been linked with a number of centre backs this summer as William Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre all approach the end of their current contracts at Emirates Stadium.
Wenger told Arsenal.com last week that he wanted to announce a new signing before the end of the World Cup but he is staying tight-lipped over the identity of that player amid reports that Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny is close to completing a move to North London.
"Nothing has been done yet but I expect something will be done quite soon on that front, on the defensive front. We will sign a player soon," Wenger told Arsenal.com this week.
"But we do not want to come out with names before we announce it.
"Keep faith in what has always worked well for us and that is to keep it secret as much as we can."
who is he talking about??
Hmm.... it's a mystery, Vince
Vince, would signing Koscielny to play alongside Vermaelen please you? is he good in the air?? what's the feelings over in France?? and, if he's that good, why on earth didn't Domenech make a big attempt to bring him into the French squad??
He's got no experience (he never played european competition or international games), so I don't think he'll play alongside Vermaelen. It would be a massive gamble.
He could have been in the french squad for the World Cup but he was playing in a little Club, Lorient, even though they play a very good football and get very good results (they've got a great coach who is Yohan Gourcuff father). But he's been one of the best in his position last season. From what I've heard he's a committed center back with a good passing ability, but I never seen him play. I trust Gilles Grimandi's judgment.
its fucking crazy that we would spend that kind of money on him. Ther are teams way below us putting in bids for far better defenders. Is it that this is all we can attract or is it still project Wenger?????
mikeyb772001 wrote:its fucking crazy that we would spend that kind of money on him. Ther are teams way below us putting in bids for far better defenders. Is it that this is all we can attract or is it still project Wenger?????
How do you know he isnt a good defender? He seems to get rave reviews from those that have watched him regularly and Wenger doesnt usually part with that sort of money on a "hit and hope basis" - Jeffers apart!!
Arsenal have always been secretive in transfer dealings and Wenger has got form when picking "unknowns" that turn out to be very good players.
I wouldnt get on Wengers back just yet over this one.
mikeyb772001 wrote:its fucking crazy that we would spend that kind of money on him. Ther are teams way below us putting in bids for far better defenders. Is it that this is all we can attract or is it still project Wenger?????
How do you know he isnt a good defender? He seems to get rave reviews from those that have watched him regularly and Wenger doesnt usually part with that sort of money on a "hit and hope basis" - Jeffers apart!!
Arsenal have always been secretive in transfer dealings and Wenger has got form when picking "unknowns" that turn out to be very good players.
I wouldnt get on Wengers back just yet over this one.
Then if he is NOT any good or good enough and MikeyB points it out how long before you accuse him of using hindsight?
mikeyb772001 wrote:its fucking crazy that we would spend that kind of money on him. Ther are teams way below us putting in bids for far better defenders. Is it that this is all we can attract or is it still project Wenger?????
How do you know he isnt a good defender? He seems to get rave reviews from those that have watched him regularly and Wenger doesnt usually part with that sort of money on a "hit and hope basis" - Jeffers apart!!
Arsenal have always been secretive in transfer dealings and Wenger has got form when picking "unknowns" that turn out to be very good players.
I wouldnt get on Wengers back just yet over this one.
Then if he is NOT any good or good enough and MikeyB points it out how long before you accuse him of using hindsight?
That's not the point, is it.
Mike said that worse clubs than us are putting in bids for BETTER defenders than Koscielny... he also doesn't think Koscielny is worth £9m or so - But whether Mike is proved right or wrong isn't the point, as he's not basing it on anything but guesswork. He's probably never even seen the lad play, so his opinion is worth nothing! (sorry Mike )
It's the same as me criticising a player who plays for Flamengo even though I've never seen him play. Yes, I'm allowed an opinion (it's a free world, after all) but my opinion would be worth jack shit, and rightly so!
Lets at least wait until we've seen the lad play before we right him off, eh! -
I'm not reading much into the fact that Koscielny hasn't played for France as Domenech is a stupid idiot and doesn't have a clue what he's doing as proven in the World Cup (leaving Nasri, Ben Arfa and Benzema all behind, even though Benzema hasn't had a great season he's better than the majority of French strikers who went)
