Frenzy

Whilst the BBC understands that a deal will be completed for Kolo Touré's transfer to Manchester City, by the end of the week, Sky Sports News are going a stage further than that. According to them, everyone's favourite smiley Ivorian is flying back from the Austrian boot camp to undergo a medical which will see him bring to a close seven years of service that brought a smile to the faces of Gooners everywhere.

I remember first noticing him, it was difficult not to, when he came on as a sub at Stamford Bridge in 2002. It was a game that saw the FA having to make up a charge to justify Andy D'Urso's red card for Patrick Vieira. Kolo was phenomenal in that match, his one man army impression exemplified by the way he started and finished the move that gave us our equaliser in that match. And whilst it wasn't till the season that followed - as the energetic foil to Sol Campbell's imperious impersonation of a rock at the heart of the Unbeaten defence - that Kolo really showed his worth, his commitment and ability to play the game with a smile on his face meant that Gooners took him to their hearts almost immediately. I guess the turning point in Kolo's Arsenal career, at least for me, can be said to be his trip to ACN in 2008. When he came back, he had suffered on the pitch and he would suffer off it too, having contracted malaria. Despite his late season resurgence this year, I reckon that he's never really been the same since.

Listen, he is an experienced member of the squad, he is the only player to have played a significant part for Arsenal in a title winning team and his commitment to the cause, his energy will be missed hugely. But I am not going to, as I've seen Gooners doing today, going to suggest that his going marks the end of everything for Arsène Wenger and Arsenal. Gallas is a quality centre-back, we have Djorou and Song who made big strides last year, Vermaelen will be keen to show he is the player the manager appears to think he is. And if all else fails, we have Philippe Senderos. It is, as I said yesterday, simply incomprehensible to me to imagine that we could recoup £40m this summer without the manager spending at least some of it in reinforcing what is a very good squad. I almost feel like saying that if the manager does not sign anyone else this summer, I will not continue my blog as I would clearly have no idea what is going on.

But I won't.

Moving on, Thierry Henry has moved with characteristic speed to deny Harry Redknapp's claim that he (Thierry) has advised Patrick Vieira to sign for Tottenham, saying, "I am Arsenal through and through. I'd never advise anyone to sign for Tottenham". And quite right too. I feel sure that we will not see Vieira in the white and blue of Tottenham for the same reasons. But even if he was to go, and yes, it would definitely tarnish my view of him, it's not exactly a sign of ambition to pick up a 33-year-old whose best days were behind him at least three years ago, now is it?

Speaking of Tottenham, their signing of Peter Crouch (isn't he sick of moving house yet?) has me wondering how long it'll before Hoddle, Waddle and Jimmy Greaves turn up outside White Hart Lane ready to resume their Tottenham careers.

Finally, pre season continues in a goal frenzy type fashion. Eduardo marked his first game of the summer with a double to go with Nick Bendtner's and RvP knocked in a second half penalty in a 5-0 win. The Emirates Cup looms this weekend and whilst I haven't decided about going yet (having Sky, it's difficult to think about spending £25 on what is a meaningless game when I can watch in the comfort of my own home), a good result tomorrow night may yet tip the balance in favour of stadium trip.

But it probably won't.

User Comments

butterbread

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 06:47 AM - Reply

If Toure will leave us...it will be a big big mistake :(

Ridinho

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 05:25 AM - Reply

Ive been an arsenal supporter for many years and it breaks my heart this seasön, arsenal fc has become arsenal financial services.we can forget winning anythng as we got 40mil and that is the boards trophies this season

DzGoOner

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 01:40 AM - Reply

We wont miss toure, keep the faith.Arsène knows.

lotenna

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 12:35 AM - Reply

well, all i'd say is dat loosin toure would be a great disaster. le professor shld learn to hang on to the players he has . it'll help a lot. toure is quite experienced and loosing him is like letting hell break loose in that arsenal defence. wenger should heed to this advice and keep toure back.

OzGoonerGuy

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 12:19 AM - Reply

I'm not so worried about Kolo going. Our younger central defenders will still learn a lot from Gallas and Silvestre over the next year or 2.

Wenger needs to land an experienced defensive midfielder. Denilson, Song and maybe Ramsey have loads of talent, but no-one to learn from. Even Stephen Appiah would be of huge value if just for his knowledge and experience.

I can't believe that Wenger can't find a solution for this gaping whole in our squad for something less than 40mil. But it's been left so long now I can't think of who is left.

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