Kalvin: Who Wenger needs to buy now (NOT Barton!)
Baines, Valbuena, Cahill and Samba, not Barton and Doyle! by Kalvin Ovsiowitz
I will start by saying that this is not a rant nor an article about the idiocy that is the Arsenal board, but about who we need to buy to keep us fans from going beserk.
Yesterday all Arsenal fans said goodbye to a beloved player of the team, Gael Clichy. He was the last remaining player of The Invincibles and has been a key player at the club for the last 8 years. He’s helped Kieran Gibbs progress through the ranks at the club and played a big part in getting Samir Nasri (who I personally am not too fond of anymore) to join the Gooners from Marseille. The fee may be ‘undisclosed’ (£7 million) but everyone that knows how good a player he is would say the City got him for a bloody bargain.
Today I was watching Sky Sports News and they brought up stats in the EPL from last season. Clichy made 90 tackles, the most last season at LB. May I add the nearest competitor only had 67, and that’s still a pretty respectable total. It goes to show his hard work and determination for the cause. He also had the most touches. I’m afraid to say it but I am starting to see cracks appear in the Arsenal team. Fabregas and Nasri are pretty much gone and it seems Wenger and the board don’t want to open the purse or renew and better current contracts of our stars. Moreover, the speculation of Walcott joining Chelsea and RVP wanting to hand in a transfer request is leaving Wenger (but more importantly us fans) in a crisis.
I’d like to dedicate this short paragraph to the manager, and to all those he think his time is up at the Emirates. Since October 1996, Wenger has led us to 3 league titles (including the first ever season where a team has gone unbeaten), 4 FA Cups and 4 Community Shields. This is a record only beaten by Ferguson. For those that think that he should go, fair enough. Yes, he hasn’t brought us a trophy in a while. Yes, he makes silly team choices (like playing Denilson, Eboue, Bendtner, Squillaci etc.) But he has the brain, the mind and the determination to bring Arsenal trophies. That’s why we need him. He’s not a money making machine, like the Arsenal board.
Now, onto the part of this article that all of you are interested in, the transfers (actually my thoughts, but also some speculation from the media).
I’d like to stress the pont that we desperately need a left-back. I feel that Gibbs (despite being one of the most promising prospects in the position) is too inexperienced and injury-prone. If you look at last season, the amount of times we created things from the left-flank with Clichy over-lapping Nasri, was exceptional. This opens the space for Baines. After his fantastic season at Everton, he’s attracted a lot of attention from the big boys. Though he may prefer a move to a team that are doing better than us, he’s probably heard the news that Clichy is gone. A guaranteed starting place at a CL club. Snazzy. Furthermore, I believe he is the perfect replacement for Clichy. He’s attacking-minded, gets down the flank, can over-lap (hopefully with Nasri if he’s still with us) and is a decent tackler. I am hoping Wenger brings him in.
Moving on to a suitable replacement for the rebel known as Samir Nasri. Valbuena has been linked with a move to Arsenal for a few years, but looked set to move to United a couple seasons ago. He’s young, plays for Marseille and is French (hence the word ‘suitable’ which I used at the beginning). He is, what I think, a carbon copy of Jack Wilshere, just a bit less physical, older and French. I really do hope Wenger gets this guy because he’d be a great asset to the squad and would hopefully persuade a few of the players to stay. £13 million for him according to French magazine L’Equipe, but it appears Didier Deschamps is reluctant to sell him.
Now onto the two big men, Cahill and Samba. Both clubs, Bolton and Blackburn, have confirmed the interest, but have said they’ve received no offer. If we can get both, great. If we can get one, good. However I am really stuck between who I’d prefer to see in the red and white next season. Cahill is a superb player. He’s good in the air, quick, likes to dribble with the ball, strong and a phenomenal tackler. This player has been missing at Arsenal for a long time.
Then again, Samba is also superb. He’s probably the second best defensive player in the league, behind Vidic, and used to be a striker. That means he’s good with his feet and knows where the goal is. Exactly what we need, a defender that score goals and will always challenge for the ball in either box. Except I’m not too keen on the fact that he’s not the greatest of one-on-one tacklers. Maybe Cahill seems the better option.
Finally, and nothing personal to these players (except Barton), I’d HATE to see Doyle and Scumbag join the club. I just can’t seem to imagine them in our 125th anniversary kit. Despite his incredible effort against France where he showed courage and skill, I really don’t want to see Wenger move for Doyle. Having Gervinho coming in, it would just completely ruin the formation and to be honest he’d be a bench-warmer. Barton, despite being a good player, is just too dirty for me and I do not want him any time soon.
Transfers better happen soon if Wenger wants to keep his stars and money has to be splashed, big, before Arsenal enters an apocalypse!
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now i like Samba – and his no nonsense attitude
but then i also like Cahill with his silky skills and lovely hair…
but who is best ?
only one way to find out……. FIGHT !!!
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I don’t think we will buy a left back because I think Gibbs will be given a chance to prove himself. If he does get injured then Vermaelen or Eboue can cover him for that time. I also believe that Nasri will stay but I’m expecting Fabregas to leave which will cover costs for new players to arrive. Nasri can then move into Fabregas’ position.
Ins:
Gervinho (Lille)
Alex Chamberlain (Southampton)
Samba (Blackburn)
Cahill (Bolton)
OUTS:
Clichy (Man City)
Fabregas (Barcelona)
Bendtner
Denilson
Squillaci
Almunia
Starting XI:
Schnezny
Gibbs/Vermaelen Samba Cahill Sagna
Wilshere Song Nasri
Gervinho Van Persie Walcott
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WE need Nasri to stay! we’ll be in a fourth place struggle if we lose cesc and Nas. Cesc Money should be sent on Arturo Vidal a more direct and tough midfielder. gervinho will b egreat Samba and cahill will be decent and move verm to leftback. id love us to steal lukaku from under chelsea’s nose he looks top class and he is only 17! scored 31 in 71 games for anderlect!i doubt Wenger would meet the 18million asking price however.
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I for one don’t think losing Clichy , Nasri and Cesc is something that Arsenal wont survive .If you look at last season these guys where part of the reason why the team collapsed . When Tevez was single handedly winning games for City – Fabregas , Nasri ,Clichy and Song were part of the reason for of buckling . Ramsey and Wilshere progressed much better and showed real desire for the team .
I think Wenger needs players with determination , desire and passion for the Arsenal way . I still insist that giving Ramsey ,Wilshere , and maybe another replacement room to play more freely as well as combined determination in the squad the team can play better as a unit because at times when the hardwork from the influential players lacked last season the whole team suffered .
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GunnerForLife, how do you sell 6 players and bring in only 4?
I think is time to let Cesc leave. I think if we can be bold enough financially to get Baines, Hazard, Muta, Samba and Cahill, we can be guaranted the Pemiership after 34 matches. I hope Gervinho is ours already thats why i did not include him. If need be we can play Cahill in the defensive midfield position.
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You are wrong about Barton,he is a very good player,and if you look at his ‘Stats’for last season you will see he has improved/calmed down,from earlier seasons,with relation to the amount of fouls he commits.Last season when he played aginst us,he was the outstanding Player on the Park,on both occasions.I do not remember him being over physical in either of those games.With regard to the Tackle on Diaby,it was Fair not dirty,and Diaby overeacted and got himself sent off.Joey Barton is exactly the kind of Player we need,someone who will not allow the opposing Teams to ‘Bully’us off the Park.
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Valbuena, Samba are terrible players why on earth did fans think this will improve the club???
Gibbs could step in but is injury prone so Banies could be a good replacement for Gael.
We need a proper centre back Samba is far to slow ….Zapata is the answer.
For grit passion and commitment Doyle and Barton are very good players in this respect. We have to many soft boys that go missing when the chips are down. Barton and Doyle give 100% every game can you say that above Narsi? Song? Arshivan, Rosicky, Eboune, Densilson???
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Since when Eboue become a “silly team choice”? He’s used to be one of the best RB before a better one came and he’s still good at a back up if Saga is injured.
Since when Squillaci become a “silly team choice” while we only use him as 4th CB behind Vermaelen, Djourou and Koscielny?
Leave them alone. Don’t use them as scape goats for our failure with your stupidity.It’s first team players that failed to win, not them.
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If nasri stays,then we 5 ruthles signing.gervinho,alvarez,alou diarra n enrique.i honestly tink we need an enforcer nt an attackin DM,Alou Diarra s a strong footbal gladiator. Enrique has bin a revelation at newcastle,should easily fit in,loads of premiership experience. Samba needs no intrductiön..he s ruthless,strong tackler n a commandin presence.Leadershp quality 98%. Gervinho,a player i hav loved since olympics.pacy,strong,eagle eye 4 goal. All in all,i hope 4 d best 4 Arsenal.
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Totally agree with the Barton & Doyle speculation, we really do not need any of the two.
If we get Samba and Cahill then we will automatically have loads of options in defense and also the DM position.
LB Gibbs, Vermalen, Traore
CB Samba, Cahill, Djourou, Vermalen, Koncielny
RB Sagna, Djourou,
DM Song, Koncielny
As for Nasri and Clichy they can both go and good ridance too.
Ambition has nothing to do with them leaving it is all down to greed.
Just think about it for a minute, we won nothing last season and they were both in the team so sorry but they are as much to blame as the rest of the squad.
No player is bigger than the club especially the Arsenal.
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In response to wally forbes, i agree, JoeyB is a great player and has definitely improved during his time at Ncastle. My reasons for not wanting him in the team is:
A. Unliked by many players/fans and would not go down well at the Emirates
B. Is an aggresive player and commits fouls. As we all know from past experiences, Arsenal are not the greatest team when it comes to defending set-pieces.
C. I also personally don’t believe that he’ll be able to play the Arsenal way (he’s a more ‘hoof the ball’ and ‘switch wings’ player if you catch my drift). I think that this is one of the most effective ways of creating chances, but if no one else is following the plan, it could be a failure.
I also think Doyle is a really good player and ever since he scored his goal in the 2-1 win over United last season, he’s been in great form. The reason i dont want him in the team is purely because of what Fab and Nas said. They want big names coming to the Emirates, and so do I. Look at teams like Chelsea, United, City, they’re all going after big name players. Then I look at us. We were chasing Ricky Alvarez (I must admit that I have never seen him play nor have i heard of him so if he is a good player then i must apologise) But that’s my whole point, I have never heard of him and Doyle is not someone who would convince our stars to stay. Moreover, Nasri was a massive part of our success in the mid of last season, until his injury he was by far the player of the season. I agree, Fab did not have his best season at the Gooners. Nonetheless, i have this really awful feeling that whenever he’s missing from a game, that we have no chance. He’s THE most creative player ad though Wilshere is top-class, he can’t pull off the passes the Cesc can.
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*disliked
just reading my comment and checking the grammar etc.
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I’m fine with Fab leaving, and Nasri too. After the way he’s behaved about his contract, I want the little brat gone. There are lots of players who could fill his position. Fabregas is irreplaceable in the way he plays, but that’s alright because we can shift our style of play. Fabregas has been gracious with the media and I think he’ll do well at barcelona, just not with Xavi in front of him. To replace them I’d promote ramsey and buy Hazard for Nasri. I prefer Cahill over Samba, as he’s quicker and ore technically skilled, and he’s just as good if not better in the air. Him and Vermaelen would work quite nicely together I would think.
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I love what Tina said because I thought I was the only one that has such observation. She said “I for one don’t think losing Clichy , Nasri and Cesc is something that Arsenal wont survive .If you look at last season these guys where part of the reason why the team collapsed . When Tevez was single handedly winning games for City – Fabregas , Nasri ,Clichy and Song were part of the reason for of buckling . Ramsey and Wilshere progressed much better and showed real desire for the team”.
Please Mr Wenger buy players with determination and focus on the team not others. Gunners for life.
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Wenger !!please don’t sell Nasri and Fabrregas
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Valbuena to replace Fab or Nasri is like trading Mercedes Benz for Hyundai. For me Hazard is the best replacement as a playmaker. Gervinho on the left. Then, we need another prominent striker as RVP is injury prone. Falcao/ Alvarez is the best for me. Samba or Cahill is a must. On the left back replacing Clichy, I have faith in Gibbs and Ignacio.
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@ solomon I agree with you! and those signs could allow more tactical changes, more possible formations as mata and hazard are real wingers.
but I have the feeling that we should’nt buy samba.
So cahill 20M, baines 20M, mata 25M, hazard 40M, gervinho 12M and (why not dreaming a bit) Lukaku 20M OR benzema 35M. Plus a goalkeeper (viviano?(8M) or keep fabianski…)
so:
GK: viviano, chesney, shea
CB: cahill, vermaelen, koscielny, djourou, bartley
LB: baines, gibbs, traore, vermaelen
RB: sagna, jenkinson, djourou, koscielny
DM: wilshere, song, koscielny, frimpong
Left Wingers: mata, gervinho, ramsey, myaichi
Right Wingers: hazard, walcott, gervinho, myaichi
Offensive Midfielders: van persie, wilshere, ramsey, lansbury
Left strikers: lukaku, van persie, mata, chamakh
Right strikers: gervinho, walcott, chamakh, (benzema)
Those players worth around 155 M euros (and we could get benzema AND lukaku with a lot of imagination
)
the following plyers could be sold:
Clichy 8 M, almunia 2M, squillacci 3M, rosicky 7M, diaby 8M, arshavin 12M, bendtner 9M, denilson 4M, eboue 5M, fabregas 40M, nasri 20M, fabianski (or not) 4M
total: 122M
12 players out, 7 in, 5 talents promoted!
I forgot vela who could play or go, and jet, miquel, mannone, afobe, aneke, ozyakup or sunu could enter the competition for first team football.
I know this is highly unprobable but those are changes that could blow a fresh air on the squad, the beginning of a new eon! That’s my dream for arsenal. And my estimations might be wrong but I still think those signs are affordable with the departures of nasri and fabregas.
In arsene I hope… go arsenal!!!!!!!!!
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i prefer..
sczcesny…
sagna , cahill/samba , TV5 , baines..
wallcot ,juan mata , wilshere , nasri/hazard..
gervinho , RVP/benzema…
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Please get the followings…CAHILL,SAMBA,BAINES. Then the back four problem is OVER
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we should get parker,gary cahill and baines. Fabregas is pretty much gone so there’s no point including him. If nasri leaves,hopefully not, I hope we get Mata.
In: Gary Cahill 17m,parker 10m, Baines 13m, Gervinho £10m Total £51m
Out: Fabregas 40m,denilson 7m,diaby 7m, rosicky 6m , Almunia 1m,Squilacci 4m, bendtner 8m. total 73m
First team
Szczesny
Sagna Cahill Vermaelen Baines
Parker
Wilshere Nasri
Walcott RVP Gervinho
SUBS: FABIANSKI,KOSCIELNY,DJOUROU,SONG,RAMSEY,CHAMAKH,ARSHAVIN
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i love it when you guyz don’t fight & focus on the team….
fun-tastic
gary’s comment’s hilarious however hahah
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arsenal can only get better @ left back i think….
thats my opinion *peace signs*
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Song was one of our most consistent players all year. He did a fantastic job with Wilshere. There are questions of Song’s determination and hunger and that’s sad to hear. I watched every game last year and Song got us out of some tricky situations with his tenacity, ball skills and possession plays.
Not sure what you guys were watching. Song is the most underrated player in Arsenal. He does a lot of dirty work that no one appreciates and covers much ground to help defend and attack.
Who else agrees?
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Gibbs is not only injury prone but also rubbish…!!!
It seems that all the players we have targeted are being bought by other clubs…
Alvarez will sign with Inter ( because Arsenal is sleeping until the end of July, according to Wenger ), Cahill is now a target for Chelsea, Enrique is now a target for Liverpool and Samba shot himself in the foot by signing an extension last season…!!!
As usual we are slow and careful (careful is good, but not too much ) and counting the pennies… He might pull out the hat another Squillaci…!!
Well we still have 50 something days left, but I just don’t see it happen… We should have had a few signings before going to Asia…!!!
And again, would players be motivated to sign for Arsenal knowing that Fabregas and may be Nasri are not in the squad anymore…???
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Where the Fu#k are all them mugs, who were posting, wait till July then see the transfers happen!! Well for me it’s a load of bollocks, Wenger should have bought his transfers in and give them time to gel!! I promise all of you, we will NEVER WIN ANYTHING, under Wenger and his dodgy board!! I and a group of my friends and family refuse to give our money to this greedy board, we will not be renewing our season tickets, if u got any brains DO NOT RENEW YOUR SEASON TICKETS!! MAKE A STAND AND BE COUNTED!!
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Samba
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baz i will buy your ticket. you crying little pussy
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More on bob, safie and inwengersbrain posts above.
I think most of the people here have pretty much a similar vision of what we want our side to look like next year (if only the powers that be would make it happen)
Food for thought
GK Shea Given (Quality, dependable, still got plenty of years in him and must be desperate for some game time at a quality team)
Middle field Parker (Quality, Gutsy, great head on his shoulders and would help develop Wilshere further. Anyone else fancy an Arsenal English national starting mid field pairing?) I know he is aging and will cost a bit but the benefits far out way the cost.
Striker I think it is generally accepted that we need a quality box striker. We have been linked with Benzema and eto. Most of the people I have spoken to found it laughable and I ask myself why? When did we start accepting mediocrity? A part from our well known problems with conceding goals we have kind of got a problem with putting them in the back of the net as well. (Scholes comments recently are true we can play pretty football but the other clubs are out there winning trophies!!!) We had 1 player (RVP) in the top 20 scorers in the EPL, Man U and Chelsea had 3!!!
Building for the future is logical and common sense but that doesn’t mean you don’t invest in experience. Sell the players that don’t want to be at the Emirates and INVEST in some experience please Wenger! In Wenger we trust but let’s not forget about Einstein’s famous quote about insanity!
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One guy here said that Gibbs should be first choice as a left back…!!!
Whatever you are smoking, sniffing or drinking … I want some of it mate !!!
And some also said that Wilshere and Ramsey are capable of holding ( and create ) the midfield all together… I am not doubting the talent of our young “prodigies”, but come on!!! Let’s keep it real here… The season is not 10 games but more than 50 … !! We need experience and steal… Otherwise we are going to be bullied all over the pitch like we usually were…!!!
Wenger needs to get his behind of his office, and get us some proper signings…
And Arsene do not come with the usual stupid excuses, ” we could not find quality anywhere” …!!! It does not make sense, we do not have the best players at their respective position, not even near…!!!
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@Adesina tosin, Alou Diarra signed for Marseilles yesterday……sounds like someones been playing too much football manager
Seriously though – #dickheadlogic.
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we need both cesc and nasri!!
why nobody cares that barshitlona keeps crapping on our faces?
They bested us on the pitch, and off the pitch they come and f*ck us by taking Henry and now it has to be Cesc!!!
If cesc is going to leave arsenal, it would only be for 80 mill to a club not in England and different than barshitlona. And yet it would still be a bummer.
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Arsenal should buy such experienced non-injury prone elegant players so as to be winning trophies every season/year:
Goalkeepers:any 3 of the following-Shay Given,Tim Howard,Maarten Stekelenberg,Scott Carson,Mark Schwarzer,e.t.c.
Other players like Baines,Gareth Barry,Luke Young,Samba,Scott Dunn,Scott Parker,Stephen Ireland,Stephen Warnock,Jonathan Walters,Ricardo Alvarez,Gary Cahill,Arturo Vidal,Jose Enrique, Bobby Zamora, Andy Johnson,Alex Chamberlain,Titus Bramble,Hugo Rodallega,Ricardo Fuller,Carlton Cole,Brede Hangeland,Dede Ayew, Kevin Doyle, Nilmer,Wayne Routeledge,Michael Bradley,Jason Roberts e.t.c and sell their current useless players like Bendtner, Sagna, Clichy,Djourou,Song,Eboue,Arshavin plus all other of its current useless players.
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I would prefer Ramsey and Wiltshire in the heart of midfield and maybe Gervhino and Walcott on the wing looks an interesting prospect, if Nasri and Fabregas go its not a bad thing the club hinges way too much on those two when they leave we will realise that actually they ain’t all that and they have been pushing way above their stations.
Ok its not good losing players but I would rather have Given in goal, Cahill, Samba and Dann bought in and maybe a genuine striker to compete with a true great Pierse !
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@Enda or is it benda?let’s meet up so I can ram this ticket down tour throat!! Don’t give it the big man behind your computer u pussy!!
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i hate the way wenger hates too splash the cash fans like big names.we need cahill to replace clichy he is comfortable at dribbling and is a world class tackler. I think Gervinho is a great signing has great accuracy and should fit in well.we cannot lose nasri, he was one of our best players and i would hate to see him leave.
we jneed more signings and quick
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