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Arsenal Sign Sol Campbell

viper_001

viper_001

Established Member
There's no way Wenger would want Flamini back. He promised he would stay and sign an extension, but left on a free the moment Milan came calling. He made his bed, and now has to lie in it.


Alex Song > Flamoney
 
Biggus

Biggus

Established Member
Flamini_756956.jpg
 
SA Gunner

SA Gunner

Hates Tierney And Wants Him Sold Immediately
Moderator

Country: South Africa

Player:Nketiah
Indeed, people forget the value Flamini brought to the side. Putting aside the hurt and pain and almost betrayal he left us with we have to admit that he was fantastic for us in 07-08 and if I had the chance Id sign him up.

Flamini can rotate with Song and even with Song in the side he can play next to Cesc.

At the moment though Id say Song is a better defensive player than Flamini, however the passing ability of Flamini still is superior.

Would love to have him back, although it wont happen.
 
Shadow Moses

Shadow Moses

Established Member
Flamini would be the perfect partner for Cesc in our current 3 midfield setup. He would actually attack and defend, doing the job the passenger Denilson is supposed to be doing. An injury to Song would mean we won't have to deal with another inept performance from Denilson in DM position.
 
Alfonso

Alfonso

Established Member
Why is it in the past 48 hours every thread I read on here is about Flamini? Just because we signed Campbell it does not mean we are going to go on a old players signing spree.

Biggus, I am worried, very worried. You seem to have a large dedicated Flamini picture database, your more obessed with him than TomasCR is with Rosicky! :wink:

(ps: have you got that picture of Flamini when he tackled Beckham in Madrid in 06?)
 
TomasCR

TomasCR

Established Member
Oh come on, surely it's not that bad with me? Because if I ever crossed the line like Biggus did, let me know and I'll shot myself!
 
ricky1985

ricky1985

Established Member
Campbell can be the heart and Sol of Arsenal once more
By John Cross

Upton Park on a freezing cold night in front of a couple of hundred fans must seem a long way from playing in the Champions League final at the Stade De France.
But Sol Campbell pulled on an Arsenal shirt this week for the first time in more than three-and-a-half years.
It was only a reserve match against West Ham, compared to his last appearance against Barcelona in a European final when Campbell scored but ultimately finished up on the losing side.

However, the attitude, hunger and desire that Campbell showed for Arsenal's stiffs only went to show that Arsène Wenger has pulled off another master stroke by going back to re-sign the 35-year-old.
Campbell looked lean, in great shape and far too experienced and powerful for West Ham's emerging young forward Freddie Sears during the 45 minutes he played at Upton Park.

Then, afterwards, it was Campbell talking to a few of us reporters in the corridors at Upton Park after the game which really showed that Wenger has got it right in signing the defensive powerhouse.
Campbell looked chiseled, not an ounce of fat on him, in better shape than he looked during that nightmare few weeks at Notts County.

And yet it was Campbell's sensible words after the game which really impressed. Campbell spoke engagingly about taking his inspiration from Paolo Maldini in carrying on playing at the top level for the next "two or three years."
How the past few months out of the game - including that nightmare spell at Notts County - have made him appreciate just what he stood to lose and how determined he is to revive his career, having been given a second chance.

Campbell clearly feels passionate about training and being a good example for Arsenal's youngsters. And he is honoured to be the first player to have ever been re-signed by Wenger.

Wenger, of course, is a manager who believes in youth, always looking forward and yet even the brilliant Frenchman appears to be admitting there may be a gap in his squad for Campbell to fill.
Let's not kid ourselves here. Campbell has not rejoined the club as first choice. William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen remain the first choice central defensive pair.

But Campbell can provide valuable back-up when required, especially with Philippe Senderos injured and unsettled, Johan Djourou a long-time injury absentee and Mikael Silvestre out of contract at the end of the season.
Gallas has been playing through the pain barrier with a back injury. If Arsenal had played against Bolton last week and Campbell had been available, there's a good chance that Sol would have filled in to give Gallas a break.
Gallas is also out of contract at the end of the season and wants more than the statutory one year deal on offer to Arsenal's over-30s.

Another thing Wenger may have learned since Arsenal won their last trophy - the 2005 FA Cup - is that you need a mix of youth and experience.
Maybe Arsenal have relied too heavily on youth in the past few seasons. To win trophies you need a few players who have been there and done it. Not just one or two.

Campbell is a man mountain, an example for young players and is experienced enough to know that winning trophies is all about the squad and that he can enhance Wenger's set-up during the run-in.

It is also a signing that has pleased the fans and taken the pressure off Wenger to go out and buy a striker during January to boost their title chances.
Campbell has joined on a short term deal but there is a glint in his eye, a steely determination, which says he wants to prove himself and stay longer.

This is a man who has been through a lot and always had controversy around him. From going AWOL at half-time against West Ham at Highbury four years ago, to leaving Sp**s to join their fiercest rivals on a free transfer.
So the thought of making a return to the Premier League and being in the spotlight again will be a cakewalk for Arsenal's Sol man.

Ray Parlour, once a brilliant dressing room wind-up merchant and now a brilliant broadcaster, told me a great story about Sol the other night on talkSport when Campbell returned to Sp**s for the first time after joining Arsenal.
Arsenal legend Parlour told the story of how the team was preparing to leave White Hart Lane on the bus knowing that Sp**s fans were waiting nearby, and fearing the coach was about to be stoned.

Parlour chirped up that it would be a good idea if they drew a big sign saying: "Sol is sitting here" with an arrow and put it on one of the bus windows and they'd all avoid that part of the coach.

Sol, apparently, looked utterly bemused and yet Wenger, who we in the media always paint as a very serious individual, said: "Yes, that is a good idea. Sol..."

Arsenal's bus was hit by missiles as it left White Hart Lane, Campbell was unscathed and then, from those early days, went onto become a legend at Highbury.

Arsenal have since moved to the Emirates and yet there is still a place for Campbell at the club and within the squad
Click to expand...
.

Reassuring words from The Daily Mirror's excellent (and extremely well-informed) reporter John Cross.

Hopefully this puts an end to the jibes about Sol being out of shape. John Cross was there to watch him play, and then stood face-to-face with the man as he interviewed him and you've seen what he said (with no agenda).

Hopefully confirmation that Gallas is indeed playing through a painful injury gets a few people off his back too (excuse the pun).

And who'd have thought Romford Ray was such a clever guy! :lol:
 
RC8

RC8

Established Member
Poor Vieira.

(I can't believe how long I went without spelling his name... aw :( )
 
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