The summer of highs and lows continues… one minute we’re on the high of a new signing such as Thomas Vermaelen, and then suddenly we’re on a low when Adebayor leaves and we find out there is no intention to sign a replacement. But then seeing Rosicky in action after so long gives us another high! But then suddenly… Nasri is out for 2 – 3 months with a broken leg, but then we hear that Eduardo is back…
High, low, high, low, high… it’s all so emotional down at the Grove…
Time for another low… The collapse of the Huntelaar move to Stuttgart has followed our worst nightmare, yes the reason for the collapse is a late bid for the striker by none other than our oldest rivals in Sp*rs… with their manager saying this:
“The lad is a very good goalscorer and I’m still interested in him. I know of Stuttgart’s involvement but I’m hoping we will still be able to do something. There’s a lot of talk about who I may or may not be after but Huntelaar is the one I like.”
Apparently they have made a bid – believed to be in the region of £18m to match that of Stuttgart. Terms have already been agreed with the striker too and it’s a conversation that has supposedly happened in the last 4 days after the striker’s agent contacted various clubs to ensure a move to a top four club or if not, then a move to the Premiership could materialise before signing on the dotted line. Sp*rs confirmed their interest and all seems to point in their direction now.
Which of course, makes me think… who has the best strikeforce out of the top teams?
Arsenal, first choice: Robin Van Persie and Eduardo
Arsenal, second choice: Carlos Vela and Niklas Bendtner
(Arshavin considered as a winger)
Chelsea, first choice: Drogba and Anelka
Chelsea, second choice: Kalou and Sturridge
Liverpool, first choice: Torres and Gerrard
Liverpool, second choice: Kuyt and Ngog
Man United, first choice: Berbatov and Rooney
Man United, second choice: Owen and Obertan
Food for through, no doubt… I’ll let you mull over that… yes, I’ve missed out Man City and Sp*rs on purpose, as they’re not top four, but Ade, Tevez, Roque, Defoe are all decent players too… who has the strongest line up and who has the strongest backup?
Personally, Eddie and VP up front is definitely a very good line up!
Transfer news circulating the world of Arsenal, also sees Chamakh really considering a move to Sunderland – the club having agreed a fee – although not sure if there are any complications in the player’s minimum release clause as it seems a little difficult – early reports suggesting the player was available for about £7m… but not exactly sure now – if there is a clause, then why are there so many murmurs from Bordeaux?
We’ve seen a lot of players, including Melo go to other clubs, when we all thought they’d join us and Chamakh may end up joining Sunderland, Huntelaar to Sp*rs and now we hear that Everton have made a bid for another target Lorik Cana. We either have something special in store, or are basically dragging our feet big time, or of course much faith in the existing players, which from a cost perspective is probably what Arsene is thinking!
Okay, onto the main part of this article, and our very lovable legend Thierry Henry has been in the press and been talking about our chances this season. Despite the loss of Ade and the injury to Nasri, he thinks we’ve got a great chance to win the league and if you look at our first choice line up, you’d have to say there is something special going on here:
Almunia
Sagna – Vermaelen – Gallas – Clichy
Rosicky – Denilson – Cesc – Arshavin
Robin Van Persie – Eduardo
The attacking foursome of RVP, Eduardo, Arshavin and Rosicky is mouthwatering. Very much different to the attacking quartet of Bendtner, Adebayor, Diaby on the left and Denilson on the right, which I believe we did field once or twice last season…
Let’s take a listen to what Thierry had to say:
“It’s not going to be easy without Adebayor, obviously, and what happened with Nasri was unlucky, but I still believe they can win the League. That is always my feeling about my old club. It won’t be easy because there are teams who are doing it every time, but you never know. I remember when I left everyone was saying it wouldn’t be the same, but they ended up having a great season and nearly won the League.
“It can happen this year. I know eve rybody is saying this and that but in my heart I will always talk like that. Arsene and Arse nal have proven so many times they can win without spending a lot of money. People talk about the top four but the only thing that matters to me is who is going to be top and I know that’s how Arsene sees it as well.”
Some very good and heart warming points there, definitely. I won’t take too much away from what Thierry has said, because it’s a good honest view…
However, I will say a little something, which is that we’re not asking Arsene to spend loads of money, but after selling a £25m striker, buying a £7m one is a decent gamble / replacement, surely… I won’t carry on reiterating the same point!
Thierry does have a valid point – do you think if Arsene believed that spending £7m on a player would be a wise decision and help us to win the league and honestly think if we didn’t we wouldn’t win, then do you think he wouldn’t sign him? Does that sentence make any sense?
Thierry continues:
“It is vital Arsenal keep Cesc. Vital. He is the Arsenal captain and he is young and I’m sure he wants to give something back to the club. Knowing him, he will. But it is vital they keep Cesc.”
And I really hope that giving something back means winning a trophy!
I seem to have developed a habit of going off on a few tangents, so I’ll wrap it up for today!
Til tomorrow.
