Toure and Huntelaar don't make sense

Each day, the name of another player appears in the British press linking Arsenal with a potential transfer. Today, it's one player out to (who else) Manchester City and another player in from Real Madrid.

We start of with Kolo Touré, who is Manchester City's next target after Chelsea captain John Terry committed himself to the club. It doesn't help that our former Togolese striker is signing Touré's praises to his billionaire bosses.

The fact that the press are rating Touré as being in the same league as Terry makes you wonder about the validity of the reports. Why aren't the mega-rich club going after a Ferdinand, Lucio or Cannavaro? Offer them silly money to guarantee a move. I'm a Touré fan, but the Touré from the last two seasons is nowhere near the high standards of a John Terry.

That being said, it's reported that City are offering upwards of £15 million for our Ivory Coast centre half. It's money well worth considering, but with Emmanuel Eboue also a transfer target for a reported £10 million it leaves the right-side of our defence a bit lacking in-depth.

It's also being reported that we've made a £15 million bid for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. The press say that Huntelaar would be the replacement for Adebayor, but would bringing in another attacker, when a defensive midfielder seems to be the priority, make sense? No, it doesn't.

We already have plenty of attacking players and more waiting in the wings. We don't need Huntelaar when we already have Andrey Arshavin and Tomas Rosicky, who's preference is actually to play a more central role behind the strikers.

I hope we spend whatever money we have left for transfers on a defensive midfielder, because that's the position where we're currently lacking decent cover for.

User Comments

Koener

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 05:15 PM - Reply

Huntelaar is terrific at goalscoring, much more clinical than Adebayor. But we need more... The same old story every year again...

andre

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 04:57 PM - Reply

People seem to forget that Kolo Toure will be out for the AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS next season. So Question: sell him now at a huge profit considerign that he will miss half the season anyway or sell him next year at a discount? SELL HIM NOW.....The man is good but only has two years left in him. HONESTLY THATS MONEY BEING WASTED BY MAN CITY!!

Bluebob81

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 12:20 PM - Reply

Toure would be a great signing for us and I believe the deal is nearly done.
He's got plenty of premiership experience and should settle in easily with his ex teammate Ade already at the club.
Gotta say I think there might be better players out there but not with his premiership experience which means needing time to settle in and adjust.
In the short term he'll be a quality signing!
CTID!!

Martyn

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:22 PM - Reply

I guess Huntelaar does make sense now..

Gooner4life&beyond

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 02:13 PM - Reply

Lol, shows how much people really know. Toure is going, that's ok by me. This is a new team, the Invincibles were long ago and Toure is the last remnant of that time. Probably our third best defender and I hope this paves the way for a bid for Hangeland or Zapata, then Inler or someone like that and finally someone like Huntelaar.

Unlike you guys I remember that Van Persie is a bit of a crock, Eduardo and Rosicky are just coming back from long term injuries, Ade is gone and Bendtner is not always a clinical finisher. ONE actual striker is not enough (Eduardo), even two is not enough (if we include Van Persie), it's just asking for goalscoring difficulties. Although I concede that it's not the most necessary addition, another right-back will be a really good idea if Eboue goes too.

ibrahim

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 12:29 PM - Reply

HAVE ANY of you arsenal fans seen the players Toure has had to play with in central defence???
Terry ISN'T so good without Essien in front of him and Carvallio or Alex to cover him.
Toure has had the WEAKEST of midfielders in-front of him so has no protection.
YOU DESERVE BETTER TOURE!

simon

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 12:10 PM - Reply

we have one of the best dm in the world CESC FABREGAS! what we need is a attacking midfielder wesley sneiyder

clockendjim

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 10:31 AM - Reply

Even within a 5-0 thrashing against weak opposition in Hungary last night, we were still getting caught out in defence by speculative crosses and hopeful long balls down the middle, even with our new signing. Even so, I was encouraged enough by Vermaelen to see he could become our Vidic. However Toure, Djourou or Gallas alongside him is not the answer. I pray that Wenger finally does the right thing and signs Hangeland when we would then have a really strong centre of defence like Man Utd.
No matter how pretty our approach play, if we continue to give away soft goals then we will win nothing.
Also I can the see the sense of getting rid of another two African players, both non-performers last season. With Adebayor already gone, the ACN would have no impact att all on us.No matter how pretty our approach play, if we continue to give away soft goals then we will win nothing.
Also I can the see the sense of getting rid of another two African players. With Adebayor already gone, the ACN would have no impact att all on us.

sammy

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 10:21 AM - Reply

there is no way we can let Toure go. it is true that the last tow seasons he has bn off but that does not mean he is not good. the good thing abot him is that when he plays, you can see passion and dedication and to much fighting.. we only need a defensive midfielder and we will be a terror squad to anyone who comes along..huntelaar aint a bad catch though

buy buy buy

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 09:58 AM - Reply

With all our strikers prone to injury except Arshavin and Bendtner come March next year we'll only have two strikers, I think Huntelaar would be a great addition to the team.

Malayarsenal

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 08:18 AM - Reply

Dont allow Toure go to our enemy squad (Man C(P)ity)... I am suggest Arsene sell Toure to other league such as Seria A, Bundesleague, or Spain league... We should improve our squad... We sell ADE, Toure, Eboe, Then our squad become small. Absolutely, we needs add DM, CD if we want to bea champ!!!

Youvin

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 08:15 AM - Reply

Toure is indispensible to this team!!! He cannot be sold!! Who can replace him???? Sylvestre...LOL....

Murari, India

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 06:16 AM - Reply

Huntelaar is a good player but would he suit to our technique of play? a big question mark - we've never had a box player as a striker - huntelaar is a out and out sitter in the box and tap, similar of a van nistelrooy. Maybe that might be the change we need!

What cant we raid madrid to get Mahmodou Diarra for defensive midfield cover - he is back from a big injury but from what i read, he is fit in the pre season training. Would be a worthwhile gamble?

Cant wait for new US to begin and kick all the liverpools and manchester arses. In Arsene we indeed trust :)

Cheers

Smitho

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 05:11 AM - Reply

Johan - (Comment 6)
You are absolutely right 4-1-2-3-1 would be an excellent formation. We would then have 12 players on the pitch (unless we just dont bother playing Almunia next season?
Toure should be pushed into midfield he has the capability to play the ball, tackle and the discipline to hold our midfield together giving cesc license to get forward more. To sell a player who can play mutiple positions should not even be considered, yes he has not played so well last 2 seasons, but who has? Toure is solid and needs to remain a Gunner!

Seb

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:28 AM - Reply

I'm not too convinced that we need to bring in another forward. Any two/three - depending on the formation - of Eduardo, V Persie, Vela, Bendtner, Arshavin and Walcott, with Rosicky, Fab and Diaby able to play in the hole if we get really desperate due to injuries. That's quite a bit of strength in depth.

Also, as much as it pains me to say this, £15 million would represent great business where Kolo is concerned. There's no denying that the guy has the heart of a lion and gives his all each and every time he dons the shirt, but taking into account his erratic form over the past two seasons, the African cup of Nations and his age (at 28 his resale value is only going to dip from here) it might be a solution that benefits all concerned.

My only hope is that the £40 million acquired from City gets ploughed back into the team. I'd like to see us tempt Udinese with a double bid for Inler and Zapata - but as always I'll leave it to le boss. After all, Wenger knows!

Darri

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 11:47 PM - Reply

I would have been content with getting Melo. I don't see a player that I like on the market right now!

I don't see a player on the horizon that would justify benching Denilson, Song or Diaby. That is, I don't see a transfer target that does not disrupt the balance of the squad.

If our squad stays fit, we are looking quite good. But given recent years experiences, we are going to have injuries. Let's say RVP and Fabregas get injured. Does our squad have players that can continue where they left off, against teams such as MAN U or Chelski? I'm not sure.

Looking at our winning squad back in the day when we had Henry, Pires, Campbell and Vieira all in their prime, I'm thinking that we need more BIG players.
BIG injury avoiding players that are readdy to die on the field just as Henry and Vieira would have!

Pundits should be considering weather we will finish first or second, not saying Man C will replace us in the top four.

johnno

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 09:17 PM - Reply

toure for 15 mil good money ??? from anyone but city maybe this is a club that can be held well and truley to ransom for ANY defender , tell them 20 mil plus a player(richards,kompany,) or forget about toure. to let city have him for just 15 mil would be a disgrace ( is lescott worth more ) .
not bothered about huntelaar one way or the other ,15 mil for a player that will sit on the bench behind eduardo and rvp sound like alot of money to me !

tja101

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 08:25 PM - Reply

anyone think of huntelar and hangeland in and toure moved into dm as he was previously a midfield before being converted???

WC

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 06:06 PM - Reply

Yes we have alot of attacking options but they're besically all the same player. Arsenal's one touch passing game is what drew me to the club but we've seem time and time again that it doesn't always work. Whenever a team decides to park the bus, we're going to pass them to death with no final product. There's always a place in football for the route 1 direct football approach as a viable strategy. Fergie bought himself a goal poacher in Owen and he's been tearing through the pre-season. It's smaller opposition but the point remains that despite not beaing a part of build up play, he puts the finishing touches on the play. It's no coincidence that when we've had a 20 goal a season striker we've contested the title. When Thierry was in his prime we were always contenders, when Ade scored 24 goals in 07/08, we came close as well. Simply put, the teams who win the title typically have a player who can score 20 goals or more. We have alot of 12-15 goal a season strikers but no one to put us over the top - this is where Huntelaar could come into the equation. He can either provide those deft goals we need to turn draws into wins and losses into draws, or he can change the dynamic of the game by being that penalty box player.

Michael Prime

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 06:05 PM - Reply

There is a lot to ponder here! But i feel that Arsene is being very shrude. If Toure goes and i hope he does followed by Eboue that will give funds to buy players we actually need in the first team! Let's not forget that the African cup of nations is in January, so thats one less thing for wenger to worry about! Eboue was a bit part last year and Toure has not been in form for the last 2 seasons, so £35 million for these two is a bargain! The main focus must be a DM most definitely, however we must also bid for a striker. Lets not forget about our players proness to injury! Van the man Rosicky and Eduardo all prone to injury and Bendtner is not up to scratch! I feel Huntlaar is needed along with Cattermole and one other Defender who can play CB and RB, maybe Micah Richards can do the job!!? In Arsene we trust!!!

absolutelyfabregas

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 04:44 PM - Reply

lucio has moved to inter but i agree with your points

anthony.

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 02:46 PM - Reply

i think we need huntelaar coz we need a right footed striker......bendtner's finishing is'nt upto the mark so we need him.We really need a defensive player...
I hope wenger gets flamini bk it will be really good....

Michael

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 02:36 PM - Reply

Huntelaar would be a nice addition, however he is not needed. We all know the a CDM is needed and is top priority. We dropped the ball when we lost out on Melo. I am hoping to see Matuidi in the next few days.

sulazu

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 02:13 PM - Reply

We do need Huntelaar and of course a tested defensive midfielder. With Arshavin & Rosicky rearing to go, and with other young attackers waiting in the wings, adding Huntelaar in the mix will only guarantee that Arsenal have depth in squad to face all competition this season.

saifulezuan_18

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 02:08 PM - Reply

if toure leaves arsenal....then arsenal FINISH

Ted Knott, Droylsden.

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 01:56 PM - Reply

Lucio or Cannavaro?

Have you seen either play in the last, what, two or three years?

The move makes sense for all parties. Arsenal get a good fee for a player who's deal is running down and have already bought a replacement. City get a very good Premier League centre-half, and Toure gets a fresh start and a new deal. I don't see where it doesn't make sense.

Andrew

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 01:36 PM - Reply

How can you say we have enough players with rosicky and arshavin able to play behind the striker ?
that combination of in the hole and striker is completely different to two out-and-out strikers.

Chris Mortimer

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 11:11 AM - Reply

The hitman would be a welcome addition but not at the expense of a defensive midfielder.

We know Arsenal cabn play football and score goals but our defensive record needs vast imporvent.

We need a strong expreinced player who can drive the team, I really hope we do else we may have yet another diappointing season :-(

Johan

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 11:10 AM - Reply

I agree that the Touré story is most likely BS, why would we strenthen Man City?
But I do disagree with the Huntelaar idea, he's be a great addition to our squad. Since it would give Arsene more options, He could even play 4-1-2-3-1 with Arshavin and RVP on the wings and Hunt in the center and Sicky in the middle.
Thirdly, I don't think we need a DM, and I'm certain that we won't buy one either!
Song will cement that place in the first two months and then the DM talk will end! I've been certain that Song would be awesome for the last three seasons and now when he's starting to shine why would we hamper all that progress?

JK

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 10:03 AM - Reply

WE DO NEED HUNTELAAR, ADEBAYOR MUST BE REPLACED 'CUS IN THE LAST 2 SEASONS ADEBAYOR HAS TALLIED NEARLY 50 GOALS IN ALL. SO WHO BETTER REPLACEMENT AS THE 'HITMAN HUNTER'HUNTELAAR. AND KOLO TOURE LEAVING THAT I THINK IT IS ALL TABLOID TALK.

bernardinho

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 09:54 AM - Reply

I think Wenger sold Adebayor because he would mostly be a substitute -- i think he intends to play Van Persie, Arshavin and Walcott + 3 midfielders. If that is true, I doubt we're really after Huntelaar. Seems like a red herring.

butterbread

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 09:00 AM - Reply

WE must need Hunter! Because Ade is gone! Arshavin and Rosicky is not strikers.

chris

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 08:48 AM - Reply

i think we need huntelaar if just to lift the fans and players alike.hes a gr8 striker, who offers not only goals but profesional approach 2 the game.we need a big name player and hunter fits the bill.rosicky aint gonna play more than 10-15 games this year, with his for beeing a huge question mark.eduardo-i dunno-seems to me he`ll never fully recover-mentaly at least.arshavins gonna go nxt yr if we aint gonna bring any silverware home, so will fab.and rest of our squad?its all good but they need more games and more sesoning if they gonna run our team in the future.and to keep them we need some big names that can deliver.lost melo and we not gonna atract any good players with what we got now.truth hurts but there it is.

Graham Day

Posted on 27 Jul, 2009 at 08:00 AM - Reply

I agree that we need a defensive midfield player that much is obvious to any gooner, and I hope is a priority for Aresene too. I'll be sorry if Toure goes I'd prefer to see the back of Gallas who is a devisive influence and not as good as he thinks he is. Always ready to blame others but often missing when goals are conceded I'd show him the door!

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