Think on it

Kolo Touré has signed with Manchester City, I doubt that took very long. Whatever your take on this, and I think mine has been made abundantly clear over the last few days, weeks and months, it's going to be mighty odd to see Kolo plying his trade for another Premier League team. Mighty odd, indeed.

But I think we'll get over it. It's funny to look at the posting on the and see the panic setting in over everyone. Do these people not stop to think that the manager is not just going to hand over two players that weaken his own side, whilst strengthening a rivals? He has made huge amounts of money on Adebarndoor and Touré and will surely be able to invest some of it in recruiting reinforcements. I have noticed a consensus forming over a couple of Arsenal blogs that the manager may choose not to invest, but I think that would be uncharacteristically reckless on the manager's part.

I'm just repeating myself at this stage, but I think a factor in Kolo's departure is undoubtedly the transfer request he put in in January. Keeping a player initially and then shipping them out at his earliest convenience is becoming a Wenger speciality - see Vieira, Adebayor. But also, Wenger will have looked at stats like the ones Sky Sports published last night. I can't remember them off the top of my head, but it was something close to this:

Headers won: 44%
Tackle success: 78%

You'd think the tackle success was pretty good, but he's way down the list of defenders on that one. Twenty seventh or something. I don't need to say anything about the first stat. I hope.

Anyway, whilst Kolo's departure is all but a done deal, it seems as though Emmanuel Eboue's departure may be a small matter of agreeing a fee with Fiorentina. As was noted elsewhere yesterday, the days when a buying club agreed a fee with the selling club before talking terms with their intended seem a long time ago, another lifetime. I've touched on Eboue's departure and the effect it will have on our squad depth before. Football365 makes a similar point here, though - again at the risk of repeating myself - the main problem with Eboue going, as I see it, is cover at right back. To suggest he is more suited to playing the right wing than Andrey Arshavin is bizarre, whilst saying he is back up to Theo Walcott ignores the fact that Theo is himself back up to the fit again Tomas Rosicky.

In short - yes, his departure creates a gap at right back. But not on the wing.

With all this upheaval, you might think those associated with the club are throwing in the towel, as sections of the "support" seem to be. Not so, Thierry Henry has called on the Gooner nation to trust the boss and Ray Parlour has lent his support to Arsène. Ok, he's not necessarily talking titles, though he does say,

"If Kolo Touré does go, if they can get three more players - another forward, another centre-half and a real good central midfielder - then I think they'll have a great chance."

But he he is confident that Arsenal will finish above City. And rightly so. I say this now and I mean it, City do not have anyone up front, that I would swap Eduardo, van Persie and Bendtner for. I would not swap Rosicky for SWP, nor Arshavin for Robinho. Cesc for Stephen Ireland? No. And so on... It must be galling for some of you to look at City and the money they are spending. But really, who have they spent that money on?

Think on it.

User Comments

nod

Posted on 31 Jul, 2009 at 07:51 AM - Reply

This is my first post, despite being an Arsenal supporter for 40 years.But i am afraid I had to come on board as some of the posts lately are nothing short of ludicrous. Paul is spot with this article, and in my opinion Arsene has done the best bit of buisness in the league this season, except for the stupid money for Ronaldo. We are changing our style and like a good wine it takes a couple of years to mature, I can see exactly why Arsene got rid of the two lads and next Eboue, despite a drop in form by all and other obvious reasons, THE AFRICAN NATIONS CUP DEFINETLY SPRINGS TO MIND.

what about the others?

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 12:17 PM - Reply

Can you also post the header and tackles success rate for Gallas, Djurou, Vermalen, Senderos, Song and Silvestre and prove that Toure had to go because he garnered lowest. Your argument has no feet to stand on. Toure does not exist in a vacuum. If it so happens that Gallas and Toure led in these stats, you will have to find another reason why Toure was sold.

Tom Lee

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 11:25 AM - Reply

I think you are spot o- especially that last bit on Man City. Vjs- what are you talking about???????

Swiss

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 11:17 AM - Reply

All this is conjecture at the moment and until the window shuts, Arsenal have a bag of money to spend, shoutld they choose to do it.
Arsene had already got Vermaelen in before selling Kolo, and whilst he's unproven at the moment, Arsenal haven't weakened in numbers there.

Only RB could be a problem if they sell Eboue and not buy, after all, they've still got 6 players who can play CB.

Rosicky has returned so thats like a new signing there and all they're lacking is a DM.

Upfront, yes Adebayor has gone but Eduardo (if he stays fit) and Van Persie are still very strong and some decent back ups.

Though, Arsenal should be afraid of Man City, Everton and possibly Villa and Spurs.
City have strengthened considerably and when those players gel, they're going to be very hard to beat.
Everton have consolidated and should Lescott go, Yobo is a very capable replacement shuold he stay fit.
We await to see what Spurs and Villa do in the market as of yet, though you'd have to say Villa look the least likely now due to the loss of Barry and Laursen. Plus the sale of Zat Knight - it looks like they should be worried about their defence not Le Arse!

It's going to be tight for fourth and a very exciting Season.

Vjs

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 09:57 AM - Reply

i wold swap robinho for rosicky,adebayor for bendtner,Barry for any D.M. we have..tevez cant be talked about since he's different to wat we have and he's world class..so what are you talking about!!!!

Matt

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 09:25 AM - Reply

Arsenal are looking scared, trying to convince themselves they can keep on to 4th place; what kind of ambition is that. City can be champions - United weakened, Arsenal weakened, Liverpool ( if Alonso and Mach go will be weakened) are a 2 player team and Chelsea are OAPs.

Evan Georgiou

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 09:11 AM - Reply

I accept your loyalties,but I do believe you will see how wrong you are in September when City beat the Gunners at Eastlands because City have Barry and De Jong and Ireland who are stronger than anyone who you have in the tackle.Adebayour averages 20 goals per season,Robinho 15,Tevez 10,Bellamy 15,RSC 15....with Ireland and SWP over 10 each I will take that 100 anyday....

Greg

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:57 AM - Reply

We need a full back and I think HANGELAND looks like a good choice.

steve

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:50 AM - Reply

Youve forgotten Tevez and RSC mate

antony a

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:49 AM - Reply

thank god for a sane blog - as one of what feels like a dwindling band of the arsene knows gang, it's crazy watching the feeding frenzy...in july for god's sake. Anyway am off to place a tenner at 8-1 for the title - not saying it's a cert but I am convinced we will be putting up a serious challenge. I truly believe that we're going to get ourselves a DM and a striker that will put us right up there again. Suspect it may be a couple of lesser knowns but if he pulls it off in the style of Sagna and Eduardo (2 name two recents) then something cool's gonna happen....

George

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:46 AM - Reply

Decent points you make however let us not forget that AW does make mistakes and huge one (IMO) at that. Two seasons ago he failed to strengthen the squad in the Jan window when we were clear at the top and eventually lost the title to manure. Last summer he let Hleb, Flamini & Gilberto all leave at once and that cost us dearly. Will the sale of the 3 mentioned above have the same impact assuming he does not replace them and again IMO he won't judging him by his comments

dan

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:46 AM - Reply

I don't like to undermine things but there are players i'd swap with city players. We do need at least three players for a title shot. Always liked the idea of m.diarra from madrid.

Mark

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 08:43 AM - Reply

It feels like its all doom and gloom at the moment but I know that the team will suceed next season. Looking at the teams man for man is a good way to see how good we really are. My concern is that we won't have a proven CM in by the end of the transfer window and Cesc won't be given the freedom he requires. I've been reading the ridiculous stories about Pat coming back which I actually like the idea of to give Song another season to mature. The rumour colapses when you find out the source of it is Ian Wright chatting away on his Talksport how. Wrighty is a legend but does not have Arsenes ear.

Some Guy

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 07:54 AM - Reply

you honestly wouldn't swap Bendtner for Tevez...
who writes these articles?

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