Is Samba the only option for Wenger? Or Ignasi Miquel?
It is now even more urgent that Arsenal get a new centre-back this month now that it has been revealed that Thomas Vermaelen requires surgery on his achilles problem, but has Arsene Wenger actually made any moves to try and get anyone in?
The most touted names to move to the Emirates at the beginning of the transfer window were Per Mertesacker, Emir Spahic, Gary Cahill and Christopher Samba, but the options seem be much reduced now we are approaching the final two weeks of the transfer window.
Mertesacker ruled himself out and announced that he would be staying in Germany to help Werder Bremen fight their relegation battle.
Emir Spahic let it be known that Wenger had made enquiries for him in the summer, and he would jump at the chance to join Arsenal if they contacted him again. Wenger reacted to this by saying that he would only consider an established Premiership player in the middle of the season.
Gary Cahill seems to be the players most wanted by Arsenal fans, but the rumours of a £20m price tag from Bolton seem to have scuppered that deal, and Owen Coyle today made it clear that no bids for Cahill have been received by Bolton. He said: “I have had no dialogue with any manager about Gary Cahill,”
“The best time for players of that quality to move is in the summer, when they can bed in with a top club.”
So as Wenger has made no moves in that direction, it would seem that the unhappy Christopher Samba from Blackburn is the only valid option left on the market for Wenger. Although there has been much speculation about the Ewood Park captain, there has not even been a glimmer of a rumour about any contact between Arsene Wenger and the new Blackburn manager Steve Kean.
That would seem to indicate that either any talks have been kept extremely secret by all perties, or Wenger has not made any approach to Blackburn.
Considering that Wenger said last week: “We have solutions internally with Ignasi Miquel, with Alex Song who can play centre back and with Squillaci, who should come back very quickly.
“If we find somebody at the right level we will do it, if not we will continue like this.”
So it looks like, if Samba is not the solution, that the youngster Ignasi Miquel is going to find himself fast-tracked into the Arsenal first team!
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Upson is another option that should be looked at or Mexes of Roma either are excceptional but both are decent and within Wenger budget.
I prefer Upson he is english use the the PL tough good on set pieces etc
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God, help us if wenger don’t bring in reinforcement.
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I am agree, it will be Mexes…
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If Upson wasn’t good enough the first time he played for us then he isn’t now either. And sure boss Song can play a solid CB, but that would leave only Denilson to play DM. No thanx, Denilson is awful. So Samba seems the right move to me but Wenger won’t do a thing except sign more kids.
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If wenger doesn’t get a defender in, we’re doomed this season. I can’t believe wenger would even consider using ignasi miquel. Wenger is playing with our hopes of landing trophies this season. We’re in desperate need of a defender now.
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Wenger said he will buy a defender if vermalaen gets another set back, hwy would he lie?!!! The only problem is who we get in all honesty koscielny is improving but is not that good. Djourou is quite good but need s a better CB next to him. so to me the only true options mentioned so far are Per mertesacker and neven subotic. They maybe quite expensive now but wenger needs to go hard for them. We need a world class centre back, we stilll have barca to play with the CB’s we have i assure you we will lose. Who saw vidic yesterday …………. i wish we had some one like that . With one great CB we will arguably be the best looking team in the premier league. and to be honest cahill and samba dont cut it. FOREVER ARSENAL.
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SAKHO!!!
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samba no no no no he is not the right person for arsenal wenger should go for Ajax defender Jan vertongter he is the right person for arsenal
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To me,samba is d only option,cos he is good both technically and on air.if we depend on d just promoted miguel who lacks experience,or song who occupies d defensive midfield.we need samba and we need him fast.
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Truly Arsenal, i can’t agree with you more. You’ve said it all. Laurent is improving. Maybe in the next year or so he might be world class. He’s trying so also is Djourou except for Djorou’s problem of tying the shield the ball facing his own goal which i find strange. A world class CB with either of the two will be amazing to watch. At least at that point we can even use Djorou as a cover for Song if need be.
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no more french defenders!
id prefer samba over mexes any day!
would also like to see miquel get a shot?
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Its as if wenger does not need trophies.and if he does why b 2 economical in the use of millions at his disposal.u reap what u have sowed.come on arsene.
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wenger!!! don’t touch what u can’t afford…it will only worsen the situation…ex:bolton demanding more then 28m.we would have had him at 10m last summer…
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sorry!! 18m.
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I think that the player that would fit in the best at arsenal is Fabricio Colicini from newcastle.
when i have watched them he has been consistantly good technically and physically.
he reminds me of a young carles puyol and not just because of the hair.
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Vertonghe will be the best choice!!
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As if in the world of football a club like Arsenal couldn’t find a player who would actually want to play centrehalf for Arsenal. Its such a bad job isn’t it…if only he placed the advert on jobsite:
Arsenal FC seeks establshed Centrehalf, Has experience at the top level, desirable to be french or french speaking, slow not to overshaddow the competion, inconsistent is a must, lack or vision or reading the game prefered. Contact MR Wagner on awengerisatightass@hotmail.com for the job
There are hundreds of centrebacks better than Squillaci and Koscielny whom would jump at the chance to play for Arsenal. Arsene is a complete tool!! Miquel are you serious, if you watched him in the reserves he is no way ready to cope with the likes of Jermaine Beckford let alone David Villa! Hmm we have Djourou and Koscielny with a back up in kids with sod all experience. Verm is out and actually Squillaci is a blessing in disguise to be injured. Song is not a centrehalf and to play him there is stupid as that midfield cannot be protected by Denilson. Unless he plays ramsey, fab and wilshere mid with song at the back. but ramsey needs time. He needs a decent centreback with experience to cover. Anyone would do:
Sakho – 1 choice.
Samba – 2 choice.
Cahill – 3 choice.
and another hundred who could do it. Even heitinger, jagielka, dunne etc….. or someone on emergency loan for god sake!
A Wenger – JOKE!
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I’m getting the feeling that Wenger isn’t going to buy anyone. A new signing would be great but quite unlikely now. I think we’re going to wait for the summer for a new player. Pretty sure we’re going to have multiple signings in the summer. Here’s hoping for Eden Hazard if Fabregas leaves in this summer!
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Mexès is not injury prone, he barely one mistake a season. He’s quick, fast, classy, aggressive, and he’s a winner. Average in the air, bur technically gifted. He reads the game with style, reacts fast with superb composure.
Laurent Blance promoted him the leader of France’s defence, and AC Milan looks forward to doing the same. Those people know, don’t they. Mexès has been praised by Maldini, Mourinho, Desailly, and the italian takes it he’s one of the best in Italy.
But, he’s another french man, not so strong (even though his aggressivity sometimes compensates for it) and his best might be behind him. It looks like Milan gives old players a certain credit which Arsène does not. Perhaps it’s the italian championship that allows that. Look at Maldini, Nesta, Inzaghi, Pirlo, Ambrosini, and so on… Perhaps Mexès would have 5 beautiful years there and only one or two at his best in England… Who knows ?
For now, I guess Samba couldn’t hurt, and Djourou and Samba could form an intersting pair. i’d be scared they lack concentration, but I’d be scared Mexès and Koscielny would lack strength.
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If wenger truly wants to go for it all, why doesnt he just buy a CB. Honestly buy a world class CB it is worth the risk. Do we really need to get to the end of the season and realize it was a mistake not buying a good CB. It is crystal clear that we need a CB, at least if we end up not winning titles. The fans and arsene wenger know we left no stone unturned. Regardless it will help the foundation of the following season. So isnt it worth spending cash on a really good CB.
Its almost like we fans complain in vain……….Its an.noying
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My bet is on a defender from a different league. It should strike you all a little strange when Wenger came out with “I prefer to sign a premier league defender”.. Never in the history before he came out with such announcements for signings.
The reasons he said such thing could be, 1)Everyone knows we are in a desperate need for defensive reinforcements. Which means where ever we enquire for a defender, the price is gonna skyrocket the very next minute even if the player is an unknown from a X or Y league.
2)Now that he told he prefers a premier league player, he can act like he is least interested in any defender from other leagues to keep the transfer fees in check.
3)If he really had interest in the defenders from PL, surely there must have been some offers made already. But as there were not even such rumours, we can say for sure Wenger is not really interested in the PL names that we are talking about.
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If we go for experience Mexes or samba or if we go for the younger options subotic or vertonghen! Either way we need some one and we also need hazard in the summer! In wenger we trust!
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who is regitered on arsenal tv
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There is a conspiracy theory somewhere. how can wenger still sit back and not want to buy one or two CB. if wenger loves arsenal and he wants to be grateful to the fans for all the support through the hard 5 seasons. he should open the wallet and sign chris samba and g. cahill.asap. Djouroh and kos cant make it thru the end. Gallas and vermaelen made it thru half of last season and broke down.
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Adam Kemp is absolutely right if Wenger doen’t take this opportunity to do the right thing and buy a decent CB then he might as well quit because he’s no longer making decisions based on the best interests of the team. He seems more motivated by a desire to be bloody minded and prove his critics wrong by not spending money. Anyone who watch the last 2 games can see we won’t win anything with the current CB’s and the prospect of Squillaci returning only makes it worse. Contrast that with united’s CB’s against Spurs and the difference is obvious. SO please please please Arsene swallow your pride and do the right thing and buy a proven CB in January.
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The fans need to protest from today. Wenger save our dreams!!!! Buying at least two CB now is inevitable. or u can as well come out boldly on skysports and say to the world u r not a title contender. in case u have not been told we are tired of your every year excuses. SAVE OUR DREAM. WE NEED A TROPHY ASAP.
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@Adam,Alex Song actualy came 2 the club as a 17 year old CB,he got converted 2 a DMF after we lost Flamini nd Gilberto and he was beter dan Denilson so he can play there.It’s a shame that a guy hu thnks knows so much actualy knws sh*t
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Diakhite of lazio roma, would be good choice
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Two words; Jan Vertonghen!
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Brede Hangeland is what we need
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helllllllllllllllo arsenal fans l reall like u but we know we need adefender not samba not mexes not upson but if we can get do u frgett cahil
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we need samba or mexes not gary cahill we must have strong defenders
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@Spenza – Song may have come as a CB but every time he’s played there he’s been totally shite. He is however our best defensive midfielder with only the useless and gutless Denilson as cover. So to play him at CB would weaken both the midfield and the defense so thank god ur not picking the team.
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How can you even think of promoting miquel to the first team? he is only 18 and needs a lot of work out sessions before he can make a decent cb at the PL. Cristian Zapata would be perfect, he is not that expensive and the italian news claimed that he may use fifa’s article 17 to end his contract and come to the PL(won’t happen but could make udinese sell it for a reasonable price).
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pliz mr wenger sir get Brede Hangeland…he wont cost much n he’s a good cb who can also score on set piece..when tv5 returns it will b a perfect pairing
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wenger wants to prove that he can win without spending but history has proved time and time that when u spend you win. Arsenal are probably the luckiest not to need drastic spending just a few players but wenger is too much of a stingy douchebag. His trophies came when he spent. ac milan, inter, chelsea, real, juve, marseille, man u, lyon, ajax(not as much) munich, leverkussen, barca, leeds(not the greatest example)winning arsenl, all these clubs won because they spent money on needed players. A few days ago wenger was quoted saying that he does not want a limit on player wages cause then only the owners will benefit. i think selling players and not spending the money on improving a team of fourth place potential is almost as bad specially when this team is someone like arsenal. although such a standard rose because of his great early work it doesnt mean he should become an over sensitive/ protective dictator that does not care what the fans think and only cares about his “kids”(not pros) happiness. Long live arsenal greater then any player
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no signings cos his waiting to try out miguel–watch in the next couple of matchs.
by the way sakho zapata and mexes will be good or even vertag.
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Wenger has his four contracted centre backs plus Song to drop in, although that would leave us short in the middle until Ramsey has a few games under his belt. He wont sign and overpay for any any world class defender in the window. I say play Dhourou and Kos in every game. Dhourou needs games as he spent a whole year out. We need our best team at Leeds and rotate a little for the Wigasn game.
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I really can’t believe some of you guys who want Wenger out! I reckon people like Adam Kemp (see above) are actually spuds.. We have two quality centre backs forming a partnership (Kos and Djourou) with a world class centre back coming back in March (Verm) and also another reserve (Squillaci). How many teams have more than 4 centre backs? the spuds are the only team I can think of.. My point is Kos and Djourou are forming a partnership which takes time especially as JD was out for nearly 2 years and Kos is new to the prem. I’m sure Vidic and Ferdinand weren’t amazing to start with. I also think we are defensively far better when Arshavin doesnt play, it makes Clichy look much better when Nasri is in front of him..
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Any long ball over the top of Djourou and Koscielny and they paniced.These guys are just not good enough and now
with Vermaelen out for a long spell and Squillaci not much
better than the first two, we need two top class centre halfs. eg Vertongter, Sakito, Cahill, Jagielka, Samba.
But Mr Wenger is too busey buying Babys.
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I would be fine with vertonghen, mexes, or samba. Either of these would turn out really well, but we definitely need bring someone in. If not, then yes, the future of the season for our gunners looks grim.
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AW as usual is messing with you all. I told you guys last summer, but I was attacked to be negative. I said Squillaci is injury prone !!!You see it now!!. I said he wont but any one more than 10M, he bought second rated players cheap. He could have Gary Cahil for 12M, but he refused now the price is 20M plus. DJouro is weak point, and tactically is target by opponents. Kocienlny although doing acceptable job, but is below par in EPL. Barcelaona is coming and we are worse than last year and will have a tough time against. In EPL we are very very weak in Center back. God help us all from attackers and AW.
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i don’t think you (EZAT) are watching arsenal playing lately. We need a defender so that stupid 2-2 against wigan doesn’t happen again. This issue is due to squillaci, who is in the same form as silvestre last year, so hopefully he remains on the bench for the match against barcelona.
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i reckon koscielny could come good. give him some time. he has all the necessary attributes and skills, just needs to settle in and get consistency. he’s young and i’m optimistic he can learn
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Richie you are in denial. I didn’t say he is not good, i said he is accident prone. He played 14 games in Spain for 2 years. Besides both defenders signed in summer are NOT top class. Arsenal should spend 15+ M to be safe in the central back.
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Everyone wants Wenger to spend in January, but that will leave us bound when all the world class defenders come available in the summer. I think Wenger will rely on Squillaci, Djourou, Kos, Song, and promote Ignasi, who when you see him play will remind you of Wilshire in that he is very calm and plays like he is much older than he is. Our youth program is one of the best in the world, lets start having a little more confidence in it. I think buying just because of our injury situation is not the way to go long term. If we buy a defender for cover now, and when the Mertesacker’s and Sahko’s come available in the summer, all we can do is watch on the sidelines…
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FOR ME SAMBA KNOWS THE PREMIERSHIP ALREADY… SO HE COULD ADAPT QUICKLY…
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Realy I’m quite surpprised at mr. Wenga stand point,I even do’nt know why the guy does’nt recognize that the premier league have revolutionalized ever since 2005 when some midle class clubs like chersea fall into the heands of rich people like Abrom who do not hesitate to spend at any cost for quality players.I’t isn’t bad to nurtute the youngster talents but the so important is to have a stronge squad which can afford preasures of the premier. I think it is a right time now for wenger to review his stand point. We the fans are tired of endless waite of trophs.
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