Arsenal interest in top Ligue 1 defender confirmed (plus video)
Aymen Abdennour “the Tunisian beast” – By JG
For a short while a couple months ago, Aymen Abdennour was at the top of Arsene Wenger’s transfer list (in relation to defenders). This was exciting news because I had been watching his games for months and was extremely impressed. Abdennour was named defender of the season by many experts for Ligue 1 this season and was also a star performer in the African Cup of Nations. He is both an accomplished left-back and center-back, which is why so many scouts have said he would be a perfect fit at Arsenal FC because there are deficiencies/weak spots in those areas.
Abdennour has been nicknamed “the beast” because he is not only strong, but has tremendous pace as well (almost like a train). He is not an attack minded defender (like vertonghen) which is also a plus. On top of all that, he could possibly cost considerably less than other (supposed) targets, which is always a good thing for the club. He reminds me a lot of a younger Alex (the brazilian defender at Chelski).
Footballnews.com said “He is known to be a ‘a beast of a player’, standing at 6 ft 2 inches, and can play in a multiple positions given to him, mainly left-back or centre-back, so would be a useful addition to the Arsenal squad.”
Abdennours agent was quoted saying, “Big clubs are interested in him, Arsenal has been scouting him since January and they are the only club so far to make an official offer…According to the directors of Toulouse, Arsenal offered 15 million Euros for his signature over the winter transfer window, but we did not consider the offer at the time.” This is a lot more evidence that Arsenal are “truly” interested than most other speculated targets, who are connected to Arsenal only through fabricated tabloid pieces.
In a league game against Marseille, Abdennour was named man of the match, his agent was quoted again in regards to his performance
“Aymen was very proud, after the match against Marseille… he scored the match-winner and marked Andre Ayew (of Ghana) out of the match,”
Any defender that can mark Andre Ayew completely out of a match has got some world class defending skills, in my opinion. This could be a very possible transfer.
Whatever happens (whether Abdennour is signed or not, or a different player), Wenger will know what to do. For all we know, Kyle Bartley could be brought in as cover. As long as Squillachi never sees first team action again, I’m happy. Take a look at the video of Aymen Abdennour below, and let us know what you think.
ARSENAL FOR LIFE
By JG
Good player known of him for a while but when playing at left he is quite attack minded which you stated he wasn’t not sure I agree with you there
I’d look at hiroki Sakai who is 20, the best player in the j league, cost 1mil, and can play left right and center back
Look him up
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I hate reading transfer stories,i like seeing-comfirmed.
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sorry psg
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i think we should invest in some brazilians to give the team the flair. maybe willian from shaktar or dede from Vasco De Gama. really all i want is a surprise signing. no rumors just one day on the arsenal website “arsenal have signed (insert world class player here)”
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Would be a cheaper alternative if vertonghen goes to sp*rs , damn he really is a beast !
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MESSAGE TO ALL THE SPUDS WHO READ THESE FORUMS !
Worst start to a season in 58 years .. sell last seasons most influential player . . Sell our Captain ….lose the most promising young talented young midfielder for 20 years due to injury . . lose 8-2 to Man Utd .. lose to Blackburn , Liverpool , Wigan , QPR ,Swansea , Fulham , Man City , Spurs away , United Away …..We lose all our Games in January . . injury crisis sees us without fullbacks for over a month , centre backs playing fullbacks , and yes we still finish above Tottenham . . lets be honest this is your best team ever and your still a bunch of failing muppets of epic proportion ! ! ha ha ha
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Andrew why would we buy dede for flair he is center back ?????
the last thing we need is the new David luiz
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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I really hope Arsenal do sign this guy. I am glad to hear we are going for a left back. I too, have been watching this guy and understand why they call him the beast!
I know Vertonghen is good, but his main role is CB, whereas with this guy his main role is LB. I feel we need LB more. I feel Gibbs is good, but has a lot to learn yet. Santos isn’t too defensive minded either. Too often this season we have been left wide open at our LB as Gibbs bombs forward but doesn’t make sure he gets back in time to defend! He will learn though.
I feel tactically a LB is more tactically right for our squad and team and with a signing like M’Vila to sit in front of our CB’s, we could have an extremely strong defence next season.
Plus this guy can play CB also if needed, however if we are to purchase a defender, we need one with a natural position of LB first, anything else is a bonus thereafter.
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Any news on RVP contract talks?
Rumours of all kinds floating around:
1. He signed a 3 year deal 130k a week and 5million signing bonus
2. Nothing is signed and Juventus have offered 30 million
3. United are linked with RVP and of course City
4. The meeting is due to continue tomorrow morning before he flies off to meet up with Holland team mates.
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I know there are a lot of Vertonghen fans out there (me included), but we need to think what is best for the strength of a team and in our defence we need to strengthen our LB first.
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The best left bak options are
Hiroki Sakai 1m
Henri bedimo 5-8m
Abennour 15m ( guessing from the article)
Baines 15m
Cissokho 7-12m (going to Manu)
Denis aogo 8-10m
Felipe Luis 8-15m
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@AndrewArsenal
You’re right on track my friend. Arsenal have definitely been lacking in flair these last few years. Song for instance, he just sits in the hole and does his job all the time. Boorrriing! Its too bad Arsenal don’t have more flamboyant dancer-types in the squad, then they would win everything.
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@Travis Bickle
Probably find something out tomorrow, guarentee the newspapers will be filled with all kinds of storys
As for this guy, people seem to think Vertonghen is better because they have heard of him but I can guarentee so many of you wont have known about Jan before he was linked with us
To be the Ligue 1 best defender has to be something, espicially when competing with the likes of Sakho and the Montpellier captain (cant be bothered to try and spell his name)
For me this is a Wenger signing all over, I would prefer a well known player but it doesnt always mean better
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some people are really one dimensional, always spouting off vertonghen’s name…there are other players out there guys, just as good or better (for the same price or lower)
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I dont rate Santos he simply cant defend and is a liability at LB woudl like to see us sign a quality LB which would complete a good choice back 4 of Sagna Kozzer Vermanlen
Opinions divided. What do you think?
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Yes, buy a left defender who can also play center defender. That should be the priority. Who needs Gibbs or Santos! And its not like Arsenal already have 4 central defenders with prem experience or 2 solid young players coming up in Miquel & Bartley. This guy Aymen is pretty unknown so may be cheap but lets not sell ourselves short. I’m sure we can find somebody cheaper and less known somewhere else.
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Think it will be still be Santos and Gibbs vying for the left back position next season.
I would be more inclined to maybe push for cover for Sagna and loan out Jenkinson for a season.
Can’t see a CB arriving either this summer as Miguel will probably be the 4th choice behind pers, Kos and TV.
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heard a lot of clubs are interested in this guy btw, and for good reason. He’s 22, strong, fast, intelligent, great tackling, great stamina, and a team player! Would be an excellent signing
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Thanks for a good article without slating us, i think his a player needed when we need to hold on to a lead, and is the player we need a defencive minded defender, if we get yann m’vila as well we might end up as defensive as the chelski scum lol
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For those of you saying abennour is cheaper your wrong because it says in the article (if it’s true)
That arsenal offered 15m for him and his valuation would of grown or stayed the same since then
Where is vertonghen would come for 7-12m and is a great cb but poor lb
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The most residing thing i felt whilst watching the video was the new Vincent Kompany and if we can get him a defender that wants to defend next season’s start will be no where near as bad as the last one
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I don’t think we will sign another defender. Vertonghen looks set for Tottenham, and thats a real shame.
Wenger said we may sign 1 or 2 more players, and for me I think that means M’Vila and Suarez. If not Suarez then a CAM, like Belhanda or Kagawa.
aside from that,
1: I want RVP, Song and Walcott to sign new contracts.
2: I want fringe players to be sold before, or soon after the Euro’s finish.
3: I want no body to return from the Euro’s injured
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I’d also add
Christian Fuchs
Nicolas boilsen
To the list above
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@ john
Why have y written off Gibbs .. I think he is the future of arsenal among others and reminds me of Ashley Cole (wen he was good at ardenal) if it wasn’t for Gibbs last ditch tackle on Sunday we wouldn’t be able to laugh at spurs
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i watched abdenour play once i must say he is a solid guy build for premier league
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I think we shud sign 2 full backs 1 rb n 1 lb sagna myt still b injured or av a set bk like wilshere wud like too c debuchy from lille 6million n a good left bk at the right price cissokho cud b ideal and at a good price also i wudnt mind signing skrtel as he want out at liverpool thn we wud have a very strong defence in depth too id like also mvilla hoillet as competition too walcott and dempsey reasonable prices for all of the players mentioned and we wud have a very strong squad and it wudnt cost more thn 50 million for all those plus we will raise cash from sales of players such as squilachi n chamack no arsenal fan feels comfortable if these players were starting
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Replace chamack 4million squid release arshavin 6milion bednter 5million denilson 3million vela 3million total sales 21million
buy mvilla 17million dempsey10million hoillet free debuchy offer park plus 3.5million cissokho 7million and sign craig gordon as number 2 gk on a free n was a gd keeper for sunderland before losing place after getting injured
total sales 21million
Total spent 37.5 million so all in all wed spend 16.5mil gtin all these plus hoilet n gordon wont b on more than 50k a week compared to squid whos on 60k a week wed b saving on wage bill arshavin on 80k anyway cmon u gooners nxt season were gonna win trophies
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Its going to be a very long summer for fans….
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I’m pretty sick of french ligue 1 players, it isn’t by far a good league
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John 3:16 you have only listed 10 players
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It pains me that we are not tired of this rumour 2day rumour 2morrow and we are all happy. We all head ARSENE WENGER saying = it will be a quit summer and he wount be buying unstill the injured player are back. And it allso pain me that we dont know who ARSENE WENGER his.after going for all the player in EUROPE he will end up getten only 2 players. GOD HELP MY DARLING CLUB
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Everyone talks about giroud is he actually any good???
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This abdennour is typical wenger signing. Unknown, versatile, good physique, and French (or playing in France at least). Could be another gem like Pires, sagna, koscielny. I hope we sign him. Forget vertonghen. We already have 3 good cb with Bartley and Miguel covering in.
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He signed a new contract in febuary untill 2016 i would like to see him at arsenal but unfortunatly cant see it happening but fingers crossed.
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Thats why i said Verts wasnt top priority, for me Mvilla is the must we can work another defender in later and there are many about. (but Verts is a proven winner which Arsenal lack)
And before i get an earful by winner im talking someone whos dragged his team over a finishing line for a trophy not just a possible winning player of the future.
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I like him a lot and think he’d be a perfect signing. First things first is to sign RVP for the remainder of hos career then I think M’Va is more a priority but I do want M’Vila and a quality defender who wants to play defense more offense! Add Kagawa, Belhanda or Dempsey and Giroud (to whoever it was that asked, yes he is top quality!)
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when both gibbs and santos were out injured, arsene didn’t buy anyone now they are fit and ready for pre-seasons le stubborn is going to spend 15 millions for a third left back.
i think i will wait till i see in arsenal shirt.
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If we do get a def in the summer it will be a CB for when we get rid of squid and maybe Djourou but 1 will be replaced by Bartley and we’ll send Miquel on loan, we have plenty of fringe players that can play @ the FB positions
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QiwjeHdjfkfl and Andrew: Dede isn’t a flair player, but IS a very good defender. Strong and smart and quite young. He must surely be on the radar of European clubs – I do believe he got best CB for last year’s Campeonato Brasileiro and this years Campeonato Carioca (Rio championship). Would be a good signing!
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There’s too much out there about who is gonna come in to the squad but what about who is gonna leave. We have 70 players in total and that makes us the 3rd highest salary player in the league. Add to that new contracts for Theo and RVP. Atleast 15-20 odd players need to pack their bags and soon.
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I’m surprised some fans are actually condeming Gibbs and santos after both players played huge roll in d last game of d season to guarantee champions league football next season. Santos’s equaliser and Gibbs last tackle are d reason we are even with a chance of signing these other top players u’re yearning for and they must be appreciated. Leave Santos alone this is his first season in EPL, can’t u learn from Koscielny? Or u just watch and never learn?
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VAN PERSIE
wanted to say something bout van persie,
I think hearing news from yesterday, he’s not very keen on signing,
BUT, as wenger said, he had not run out his contract yet,
so, what i think, is that, if we sell him, THIS will be the most stupid thing to do,
by selling him we’ll get some 25M, and where this money goes, nobody knows !
If we really want to achieve something next year, better keep him, he’s nearly 29, next year he’ll be nearly 30, n i know with him, we’ll be strong and can attract other players,
when he’s 30 next year, not many teams will want him, thus, he’ll prefer staying at arsenal and become a legend i think so…
what i want to say is that, we will gain nothing by letting him go, it will just show that we are weak, and hungry for money…
Arsenal needs to be a bit more aggresive now, stop worrying bout our players, but more about the team !
Szezny
sagna verma kosciel gibbs
–arteta song wilshere—
–walcott RVP podolski—
This is a team you want to be seeing next year !!
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In my view,Arsene get a player from premier league becuase others will take time to settle but we don’t have time because we want to win some silverware next season.So get Leighton Baines plz.
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@john 3:16
what a crazy post!
i am sure we are getting rid of players this summer but your list is a bit exaggerated you must be dreaming. first of all, diaby and djourou won’t be sold. i wish it could happen but arsene i know won’t sell his favourite players like that unless they had enough and wanna leave. sell santos and buy leighton baines? thats stupid!
anyway, jenkinson and santos just completed their first season and we expect them to prosper soon.
for almunia and fabianski i agreed but manone is a good keeper unless he won’t first team elsewhere if he decided to stay he won’t be sold.
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Let’s be real everyone. We all come here to hear the rumors…when deals are confirmed you hear about it on major sports coverage before or the same time you’d read about it hear.
That being said, I hope we get him if Vertonghen is really dead set on becoming a rival.
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first of all arsenal never made a 15m bid for him it was a 5m bid secondly don’t get fooled by that youtube video on you tube even denilson looked like fabregas occasional parts cut copied & pasted can make look anyone good i would rather promote kyle bartley and would try to sign psg’ sakho who is 6’2 he actually is their captian and is 23 yrs old can also pay lb would cost 6-10m he has fallen out of favor with ancelotti vertoghen deal is off rvp has already told wenger he doesn’t want to stay the reason wenger keeps signing such players we need quality
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If arsenal could not get their hands on vetenghen then if Wenger finds him siutable and strong defender then it’s ok,it’s 4 biulding an invincible defense in arsenal.
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that is the player i hope wenger should buy.i went through the video that is the way a defeder should do let him not change his mind.
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if d guy is gud,aw shuld get him but sagna is injured and we dont knw hw long it gonna take for him to recover,I say get a natural rb in place of sagna nd loan out jekinson.if our belovd rvp is not willin to become an arsenal legend,i say we swap him with a world clas stricker,say higuain,hes young nd right footed.
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Everyone is very quick to say which players they want in the team but how many of you really know anything about them other then what you have read on forums.
There is the same old problem agains of whom ever Arsen looks at, so do other teams and this is purely because he has such an extensive knowledge of world football and he always finds quality players on the cheap, granted he has made some errors but in principal he gets the majority of them right.
Not mamny of us watch other league football so when it comes to assessing players abilities andif they would fit in with the Arsenal way we are not qualified to do so.
One thing is certain though, you do not win the accolades these players have without being good so choosing these revered players is sometimes a safer bet but not always the best bet!
RVP is looking for some big named players to come in, just ask Chelsea how that worked out with Torres! it doesn’t guaruntee you any thing, except the fact you have spent a huge ammount of dosh getting it wrong.
Wenger has proven to be a clever guy when it comes to dealing within our price range so we just have to have faith in him to get it right again..
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If not Abdennour, we will get his 7 year old brother, so don’t worry.
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He could be our Kompany.
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i think the problem arsenal has is ……;left back and right back …day to day sagnal keeps playing…..and even gibbs injured sometimes….santos good but lack speed thar’s premier leauge for you….i think wenger should definitely go for this guy …he rtong for any opponent …hn! wenger stop thinking before buying any players…hn!you can’t do alone ….we the fans can as well help you….hn!don’t forget that you’re doing this job for the fans first and for the board and finally for the aresenal as well….hn!
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I tink arsenal should learn how 2 shoot, de can play we all no dat, bt de should put mo efot on striking. Mor ova, dat gambler dat cld himself wenger should luk 4 exprnc players n buy.
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What is needed is to sign capable central defenders,a few tweaks. switch Vermaelen to leftback, Kozz to rightback, a new sitting midfielder,plus an experienced rightwinger like Nani. Keep an eye on promising young central defender BOYE plays for Rennes
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he looks really very fast strong in the air,technical bt everybody looks good on youtube right anybody is better than squillachi bt i hope he can survive in epl if arsene signs him
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Good player to sign. Sign M’vila, Belhanda & Geroud too.
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