The news emerged yesterday that the sale of Alex Song from Arsenal to Barcelona had been finalised. He has joined Barcelona for a fee in the region of £15 million if the quoted figures are to be believed. His departure is hardly as high profile as that of Robin van Persie, but he was voted the second best player at the club by Arsenal fans last season.
I have never been overly impressed with Song, and I think he was over rated at times. I have no doubt that he will see this move as a huge boost for his career, but I can't see him making an impression at Barcelona. His style bordered on lethargic at times, and I was never impressed with his passing skills either.
He may have led the way with assists among Arsenal's midfielders last season, but that was only after the sale of Cesc Fabregas. Song was very fond of lofting the ball over opposition defences last season, and van Persie was on hand to finish off on quite a few occasions. Many times though he just aimlessly played those passes far too long, and they ended up harmless going out of play.
Song was meant to play the defensive role in the Arsenal midfield, but I felt he left the defence exposed far too often. Maybe his instructions were to get further forward, but I doubt it. He will have to work an awful lot harder if he is to be a success at his new club.
Arsenal have sold many players to Barcelona since Arsene Wenger became Arsenal manager, and very few of them have made the grade there. Cesc has fitted in nicely, but he grew up as part of the club and knows what is expected of him. Some might say Thierry Henry did well there, but there is no doubt that he played the best football of his career at Arsenal.
The list of players who failed to make a real impact when moving from Arsenal to Barcelona is a long one. Alex Hleb was probably the biggest flop of all, but Emmanuel Perit, Marc Overnars and Giovanni van Bronkhurst hardly covered themselves in glory either. I would be very surprised if Song is anything other than a failure at Barcelona.
I have read that Song had become disruptive at Arsenal, and he wanted to leave as soon as he knew Barcelona were interested. Arsenal can't afford to have players who aren't committed to the cause in their squad, and those who want to leave should be sold if the price is right. At least Song had the decency to keep his mouth shut before the move took place.
I suppose Song may have been searching for a new challenge, or maybe to live in a warmer climate. I can't help feeling that he will regret the decision to turn his back on the manager who made him the player he is today. I also can't help feeling he will be left searching for the remains of a once promising career in a year or two.
There is no doubt that the loss of van Persie was a blow to Arsenal, ad players of his quality are few and far between. The loss of Song is no such thing, and Arsenal should find it relative easy to replace him with a better player before too long. Whether they decide to replace him with a similar style of player or not is another question, and only Wenger knows the answer.
With the transfer window closing in only 10 days there isn't an awful lot of time to add to the squad available to Wenger. The three additions so far have been very welcome, but the players most fans wanted to see leave are still at the club. Arsenal have actually made a profit on their dealings so far this summer yet again, and it's something which has to be redressed.
There is no doubt that the return from injury of both Bacary Sagna and Jack Wilshere will strengthen the team. Sagna could be back by the time the Champions League groups kick off, but Wilshere will take longer. He will have to be eased slowly back into action, as he has suffered so many set backs in his recovery already.
It still looks highly likely that Nuri Sahin will arrive on loan from Real Madrid, and it's a move I hope to see happen. The team cannot depend on a midfield that contains Abu Diaby and Tomas Rosicky, as both of them are so injury prone. If both of them are out at the same time before Wilshere returns fully it will leave the manager with very few choices.
During my three trips to Arsenal last season the two most popular songs were probably in praise of both van Persie and Song. It looks like the choice of songs at the Emirates and on away trips will need a little bit of adjusting. I have no doubt new heroes will be found to sing about though.
Finally for today don't forget to join my Fantasy Premier league for the new season with prizes for the top three teams. To join up just go to the site and use the code 17031-6252 to join my league when your team is set up. If you were in my league last season you should automatically be given a choice to rejoin it once your team is set up. There are over 600 teams in my league at the moment, and I'm hoping to match last season's total of over 1,000 teams.
I'm also running my predictions league again, and it's open to anyone who wants to join too. It's an easy game to play with points awarded for predicting the outcomes of every Premier League game. To sign up just go to the site , http://predictor.talksport.co.uk/landing.htm and use the code FD047-YLG to join my league once you have registered.
See you tomorrow.
Showing posts with label Nuri Sahin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nuri Sahin. Show all posts
Tuesday, 21 August 2012
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Christmas Comes Early For Arsenal
Arsenal announced the third of their summer signings yesterday. It was no secret when Santi Cazorla was snapped up from Malaga to take their summer spending to approximately €45 million. Few other Premier League teams have invested anywhere near that amount of money in their squads for the new season yet.
Like the previous two signings Cazorla is an experienced player at the peak of his game. All three players are exactly the type of players needed to sign, and their attacking options for the new season look extremely varied. Despite the fact that Robin van Persie expressed his desire not to renew his contract the team looks like it will be considerably stronger.
RVP's claims about the direction of the club are looking just a little hollow at the moment. If he was to remain in the squad it would certainly create a situation where the manager would be spoiled for choice. It would take a massive climb down for him to do so, and I just cannot see that happening.
Cazorla joined up with the rest of the squad in Germany, as they continue their preparations for the new season. RVP is also a member of that squad in Germany, and he could possibly be a member of the Arsenal team which faces Cologne in a pre season fame this Sunday.
If RVP plays I will be listening very closely for the reaction of the Arsenal fans to their captain. Despite expressing his desire not to renews his contract RVP is still technically the captain. If he is chosen from the start on Sunday he will have to wear the armband, and I personally do not want to see that.
I suppose Arsene Wenger could get around the problem by leaving him on the bench, and handing the armband to Thomas Vermaelen. It would be very interesting to see if Vermaelen headed it over to RVP if the Dutch man were to make an appearance. They are problems Wenger will have to deal with on the day, but I'm sure he will have a plan to do so.
That game should hopefully also see Cazorla make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt. While the signings of Lukasz Podolski and Oliver Giroud were very welcome it's Cazorla whose signing will really excite the Arsenal fans. The team was really lacking in creativity at times last season, but he looks like the player who could change that.
He can play on either wing, as well as in an attacking midfield role.His goalscoring ratio isn't exactly spectacular, but he has the ability to make things happen. Since the departure of Cesc Fabregas last summer Arsenal have needed a player who could play in his role.
Cazorla has the ability to do just that, but he isn't quite as good a player as Cesc. Then again there aren't many players in the world who are as good as Cesc. He hasn't got too long to learn to fit in with his new team mates, but quality players can play with almost any team.
If the rumours are to believed Wenger still hasn't finished his summer spending spree, as Nuri Sahin could be the next player to join the club. His projected move from Real Madrid will probably only be a loan arrangement if it happens, but it will be another signal of intent for the new season. There can be no doubt that Arsenal have decided to bring in players to improve their team, and have not waited until the last minutes of the transfer window to do so.
If they can get off to a good start they might just have the strength in depth which has been missing for the past few seasons. The return from injury of Jack Wilshere a few months into the season will be a welcome boost also, and the midfield competition in the squad is going to be intense. There is a lot of hope for the new season despite the actions of RVP, and it promises to be a very good one for Arsenal.
There are still a few defensive problems to iron out, but with Steve Bould helping out I'm hopeful that the whole team can be taught to defend better as a unit. The absence of Bacary Sagn from the start of the season will be a big loss, and hopefully Carl Jenkinson can step up to the job in hand. Surely the Arsenal defenders cannot suffer as many injuries as they did last season, and some consistency will hopefully come with a settled defence.
It would seem Christmas has come very early for Arsenal with the arrival of Santi in early August. Hopefully he won't have a clause in his contract that seems him go the way of so many other top class Arsenal players in the last few seasons.
Here's a little bit of Cazorla in action.
Finally for today don't forget to join my Fantasy Premier league for the new season with prizes for the top three teams. To join up just go to the site and use the code 17031-6252 to join my league when your team is set up. If you were in my league last season you should automatically be given a choice to rejoin it once your team is set up. There are over 400 teams in my league at the moment, and I'm hoping to match last season's total of over 1,000 teams.
That's it for today.
See you tomorrow.
Like the previous two signings Cazorla is an experienced player at the peak of his game. All three players are exactly the type of players needed to sign, and their attacking options for the new season look extremely varied. Despite the fact that Robin van Persie expressed his desire not to renew his contract the team looks like it will be considerably stronger.
RVP's claims about the direction of the club are looking just a little hollow at the moment. If he was to remain in the squad it would certainly create a situation where the manager would be spoiled for choice. It would take a massive climb down for him to do so, and I just cannot see that happening.
Cazorla joined up with the rest of the squad in Germany, as they continue their preparations for the new season. RVP is also a member of that squad in Germany, and he could possibly be a member of the Arsenal team which faces Cologne in a pre season fame this Sunday.
If RVP plays I will be listening very closely for the reaction of the Arsenal fans to their captain. Despite expressing his desire not to renews his contract RVP is still technically the captain. If he is chosen from the start on Sunday he will have to wear the armband, and I personally do not want to see that.
I suppose Arsene Wenger could get around the problem by leaving him on the bench, and handing the armband to Thomas Vermaelen. It would be very interesting to see if Vermaelen headed it over to RVP if the Dutch man were to make an appearance. They are problems Wenger will have to deal with on the day, but I'm sure he will have a plan to do so.
That game should hopefully also see Cazorla make his first appearance in an Arsenal shirt. While the signings of Lukasz Podolski and Oliver Giroud were very welcome it's Cazorla whose signing will really excite the Arsenal fans. The team was really lacking in creativity at times last season, but he looks like the player who could change that.
He can play on either wing, as well as in an attacking midfield role.His goalscoring ratio isn't exactly spectacular, but he has the ability to make things happen. Since the departure of Cesc Fabregas last summer Arsenal have needed a player who could play in his role.
Cazorla has the ability to do just that, but he isn't quite as good a player as Cesc. Then again there aren't many players in the world who are as good as Cesc. He hasn't got too long to learn to fit in with his new team mates, but quality players can play with almost any team.
If the rumours are to believed Wenger still hasn't finished his summer spending spree, as Nuri Sahin could be the next player to join the club. His projected move from Real Madrid will probably only be a loan arrangement if it happens, but it will be another signal of intent for the new season. There can be no doubt that Arsenal have decided to bring in players to improve their team, and have not waited until the last minutes of the transfer window to do so.
If they can get off to a good start they might just have the strength in depth which has been missing for the past few seasons. The return from injury of Jack Wilshere a few months into the season will be a welcome boost also, and the midfield competition in the squad is going to be intense. There is a lot of hope for the new season despite the actions of RVP, and it promises to be a very good one for Arsenal.
There are still a few defensive problems to iron out, but with Steve Bould helping out I'm hopeful that the whole team can be taught to defend better as a unit. The absence of Bacary Sagn from the start of the season will be a big loss, and hopefully Carl Jenkinson can step up to the job in hand. Surely the Arsenal defenders cannot suffer as many injuries as they did last season, and some consistency will hopefully come with a settled defence.
It would seem Christmas has come very early for Arsenal with the arrival of Santi in early August. Hopefully he won't have a clause in his contract that seems him go the way of so many other top class Arsenal players in the last few seasons.
Here's a little bit of Cazorla in action.
Finally for today don't forget to join my Fantasy Premier league for the new season with prizes for the top three teams. To join up just go to the site and use the code 17031-6252 to join my league when your team is set up. If you were in my league last season you should automatically be given a choice to rejoin it once your team is set up. There are over 400 teams in my league at the moment, and I'm hoping to match last season's total of over 1,000 teams.
That's it for today.
See you tomorrow.
Friday, 3 August 2012
That Old Familiar Arsenal Feeling
The start of the new season is drawing ever closer, and still Arsenal have far too many players they need to offload. The only player they have managed to sell so far is Carlos Vela, and they have to sell more to make room in their first team squad.
They faced a similar situation last summer, and ended up loaning out some of the players they couldn't offload. The big obstacle in their attempts to sell these players seems to be the wages paid to them by Arsenal. Unfortunately Arsenal have had to pay very high wages to promising players to ensure they stayed at the club, and these players don't always make the grade.
As a result Arsenal have had real difficulty in selling players like Nicklas Bentner, Denilson, Marouane Chamakh, Sebastien Squillaci, Andrey Arshavin, and Ju Young Park. Their combined wages and transfer fees would probably be enough to bring in the two players Arsene Wenger is still keen to sign. It does look like he will make those two signings anyway with Santi Cazorla and Nuri Sahin looking to be the most likely players to arrive.
Those who are supposedly "in the know" have being telling Arsenal fans for weeks that these two players signings are imminent. The chances are they will eventually be right, but nobody is truly in the know in my opinion. The only people who actually know what is happening are those involved in the negotiations in both clubs, and I would imagine the players too.
I think Cazorla would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, and he could be the creative spark their midfield has being missing for quite a while now. With Jack Wilshere out of action until October I think the midfield needs some genuine quality added, and he certainly fits the bill. I just hope all of the rumours are right, and he dons the red Arsenal shirt very soon.
Of course the saga of Robin van Persie's expected departure continues, and it's effect on the other players and the fans is hard to judge. The players are continuing their preparation for the new season, but it cannot be easy for them to work with a player every day who would rather be elsewhere. I don't care what has been said about his supposed professionalism, as his statement from last month showed exactly how little of that he has.
For a club captain to undermine his own club in such a manner was quite incredible, and he will never be the same player again for me. Even if he stays for next season and sees out his contract I will find it hard to cheer him when he plays. The best solution for Arsenal is to be rid of him s soon as possible, and get on with the business of building a team with players who want to play for them.
As an Arsenal fan I have become used to players looking to leave the club, and the club have survived when better players than RVP have left. The most frustrating thing about the saga is how it is hanging over Arsenal's start to the new season. They have only one pre season game left before they face Sunderland in just over two weeks, and it's time for some action to be taken.
I know there is very little the club can do to get other clubs to increase their offers, but they have to think of what is best for the club as a whole. A disruptive influence cannot be allowed to fester at the club, and they need to cash in as soon as possible.
My ideal scenario would be for Arsenal to start the new season with all the above players I mentioned at new clubs, and a few new arrivals to bolster the squad. I can't see all of that happening in the next two weeks, but I hope it doesn't all come down to deadline day yet again. Last summer was a disastrous one for the club, and the transfer mayhem directly affected the team's start to the season.
It cannot be allowed to happen again, and I cannot imagine that it will. All the signs are that RVP will be sold, as new boy Lukasz Podolski has not been issued with a shirt number yet. I'm sure he would love to have RVP's number 10 shirt, but there is also the possibility of Park's number 9 being available very soon.
Finally for today I have to mention that my blog is four years old today. On this very day in 2008 I posted my first Arsenal blog on Oleole, and I have continued it on a very regular basis ever since. It's not always easy, but it certainly helps me to deal with my feelings for Arsenal by sharing them with others.
Hopefully I'll still be writing about Arsenal in another four years, and I'll have a few trophies to write about too.
Finally, finally for today don't forget to join my Fantasy Premier league for the new season with prizes for the top three teams. To join up just go to the site and use the code 17031-6252 to join my league when your team is set up. If you were in my league last season you should automatically be given a choice to rejoin it once your team is set up. There are over 400 teams in my league at the moment, and I'm hoping to match last season's total of over 1,000 teams.
That's it for today.
See you tomorrow.
They faced a similar situation last summer, and ended up loaning out some of the players they couldn't offload. The big obstacle in their attempts to sell these players seems to be the wages paid to them by Arsenal. Unfortunately Arsenal have had to pay very high wages to promising players to ensure they stayed at the club, and these players don't always make the grade.
As a result Arsenal have had real difficulty in selling players like Nicklas Bentner, Denilson, Marouane Chamakh, Sebastien Squillaci, Andrey Arshavin, and Ju Young Park. Their combined wages and transfer fees would probably be enough to bring in the two players Arsene Wenger is still keen to sign. It does look like he will make those two signings anyway with Santi Cazorla and Nuri Sahin looking to be the most likely players to arrive.
Those who are supposedly "in the know" have being telling Arsenal fans for weeks that these two players signings are imminent. The chances are they will eventually be right, but nobody is truly in the know in my opinion. The only people who actually know what is happening are those involved in the negotiations in both clubs, and I would imagine the players too.
I think Cazorla would be a fantastic signing for Arsenal, and he could be the creative spark their midfield has being missing for quite a while now. With Jack Wilshere out of action until October I think the midfield needs some genuine quality added, and he certainly fits the bill. I just hope all of the rumours are right, and he dons the red Arsenal shirt very soon.
Of course the saga of Robin van Persie's expected departure continues, and it's effect on the other players and the fans is hard to judge. The players are continuing their preparation for the new season, but it cannot be easy for them to work with a player every day who would rather be elsewhere. I don't care what has been said about his supposed professionalism, as his statement from last month showed exactly how little of that he has.
For a club captain to undermine his own club in such a manner was quite incredible, and he will never be the same player again for me. Even if he stays for next season and sees out his contract I will find it hard to cheer him when he plays. The best solution for Arsenal is to be rid of him s soon as possible, and get on with the business of building a team with players who want to play for them.
As an Arsenal fan I have become used to players looking to leave the club, and the club have survived when better players than RVP have left. The most frustrating thing about the saga is how it is hanging over Arsenal's start to the new season. They have only one pre season game left before they face Sunderland in just over two weeks, and it's time for some action to be taken.
I know there is very little the club can do to get other clubs to increase their offers, but they have to think of what is best for the club as a whole. A disruptive influence cannot be allowed to fester at the club, and they need to cash in as soon as possible.
My ideal scenario would be for Arsenal to start the new season with all the above players I mentioned at new clubs, and a few new arrivals to bolster the squad. I can't see all of that happening in the next two weeks, but I hope it doesn't all come down to deadline day yet again. Last summer was a disastrous one for the club, and the transfer mayhem directly affected the team's start to the season.
It cannot be allowed to happen again, and I cannot imagine that it will. All the signs are that RVP will be sold, as new boy Lukasz Podolski has not been issued with a shirt number yet. I'm sure he would love to have RVP's number 10 shirt, but there is also the possibility of Park's number 9 being available very soon.
Finally for today I have to mention that my blog is four years old today. On this very day in 2008 I posted my first Arsenal blog on Oleole, and I have continued it on a very regular basis ever since. It's not always easy, but it certainly helps me to deal with my feelings for Arsenal by sharing them with others.
Hopefully I'll still be writing about Arsenal in another four years, and I'll have a few trophies to write about too.
Finally, finally for today don't forget to join my Fantasy Premier league for the new season with prizes for the top three teams. To join up just go to the site and use the code 17031-6252 to join my league when your team is set up. If you were in my league last season you should automatically be given a choice to rejoin it once your team is set up. There are over 400 teams in my league at the moment, and I'm hoping to match last season's total of over 1,000 teams.
That's it for today.
See you tomorrow.
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