So with the official news that Mathieu Flamini has upped sticks and moved to AC Milan, what’s next for The Arsenal? At one point we had more midfielder’s we could shake a stick at, now we seem to be a bit light. What with Lassana Diarra sold in January and Flamini going for a ‘Bosman’ I really do not see Brazilian play maker (?) Gilberto being allowed to leave.
So what have we lost with Flamini going? Let’s no kid ourselves he was a good player, but and it’s a big but it was only for ONE SEASON. He had in my opinion and I am not dumbing down his role at The Arsenal because he’s gone, I wish him well, but seriously he had one really good season, you can make that two if you include our run to the Champions League Final in 2006 when he played out of his skin in a role not known to him at left back. Last summer The Flamster was making noises about not playing in his preferred midfield role, Wenger sat him down and said something along the lines of ‘I believe you can do, fight for your place and prove me right’. I’m not sure many Gooners would believe the transformation of the Frenchman or would of been too despondent if he was sold or bought out his contract, which he was threatening at the time. At that time I’m not sure whether AC Milan would of known who Flamini was. But think back Gooners at the time what clubs were after Flamini? It wasn’t the Milan’s or Juventus’ of this world. Birmingham City, that who was after Flamini last summer, so you can see how his stock has risen drastically in a year. We’ll miss him, but not a great deal, we sold Vieira and survived, we sold Thierry Henry and arguably we’re better for it – so putting it into perspective I don’t think the absence of Flamini will be detrimental to The Arsenal. Like I said before I am not knocking Flamini or dumbing down what he has done for us this season but he was cog in a well worked machine – Wenger will find another such cog.
But who will he bring in? I’ve got a feeling Wenger will recruit from within, every paper and site has us lined up with defensive midfielder’s from France to the Faroe Islands (OK maybe not the Faroe Islands) but you get my drift. I think Wenger has been taken by surprise that Flamini decided to go so but I think he knows who he wants to play that role. Will we Arsenal fans be disappointed that he doesn’t go out and buy a ‘Gattuso’ or a ‘Claude Makélélé’? Probably but I think the likes of Johan Djourou, Diaby, Denilson or even the born again Alex Song will be promoted to the defensive midfield spot. Only time will tell I guess but this summer will prove to be an interesting affair, hopefully. There’s many a permutation and will evoke a lot of opinions. We’re not too far off of having a great team, but those one or two super players Wenger was saying he wants to buy in the summer may or may not include a midfielder – we’ll see. whatever Wenger decides he does need to replace Flamini with a decent experienced squad member to swell our numbers again.
Cheers Jens: A player most people knew was on his way out this summer,Jens Lehmann got a great send off in the 1-0 destruction of Everton over the weekend. Arsène Wenger has said he wanted to give young Pole Lukasz Fabianski a go in the remainder of the games but I think it was a great touch to give the mad German fella a 20 minute cameo in the last game at Ashburton Grove. Ze German mentalist had his fans and foes in equal measures, you don’t need me to tell you that, but whatever you thought of him – all I can say is a big thank you Jens.
Here we again: Arsenal kingpin Cesc Fabregas is already on the wanted list of Real Madrid, who’s president Ramon Calderon says he wants to make the newly crowned champions ‘more Spanish’. Great news that Gooners, oh well at least we can tell summers here
Ladies at the Double: The Arsenal Ladies have gone and done it again, another double. Yesterday The Arsenal Ladies spanked Leeds United (easy!) 4-1 in a one-sided FA Cup FInal. Well done girls, that makes it about 15 trophies in the last couple of years for Vic Akers all conquering team
Just a thought, since Birmingham is going to be relegated. Is there any chance for Arsene Wenger to get back Fabrice Muamba, He will be cheap and know how the Arsenal team play already as he was a Junior member previously. He has gain experience with Birmingham in the Premiership and certainly would not like to go down to Championship again.
There’s a rumour in Australia that Mark Milligan is trialling with Arsenal. Olyroos captain, Sydney FC defender and Socceroo, thought by many to be much better than Lucas Neil and always a natural CB.
A quiet, and good signing by Wenger. Not overly sure about his mobility tho’. He’s perhaps a bit quicker than Neil, but Walcott, Toure, Clichy mold?
Although I’m disappointed Flamini’s left, I think Wenger will certainly now know what type of player to buy to compliment our other midfield players. In a 4 man midfield I don’t think the ‘holding’ player works that well – you could see the difference between Gilberto (a holder) and Flamini (box to box) this season. We need to replace Flamini with some with similar stamina, determination and organisational skills. To throw in a curve ball, Jimmy Bullard anyone?! Whether he’s got the defensive nous to match Flamini’s contribution I’m not sure but I like him. I would say that he’s technically better than Flamini. He’s a team player, will give his all, runs all day, and, most important of all, is a good player. Also I think he’d be a great addition to the dressing room!
I don’t think any of the players who could be ‘promoted’ to the position are good enough… yet. Song looks the only likely candidate. Wenger has said Diaby could play up front and Denilson looks like he’s being trained to play like Cesc.
I keep hearing about Diego from Werder Bremen. I can’t say I’ve seen him play but I keep hearing his name banded about -also apparently he likes to have a shot which our shot shy midfielders could do with.
I’ve heard of Mark Milligan but no disrespect but I don’t see someone from the Australian football league mixing it in his first season in the Prem, he’d need bedding in time. Which quite frankly we don’t have time for – we’re supposed to be moving forward not taking a step back. He might turn out to do a ‘Bacari Sagna’ but chances are very slim as the French league isn’t that poor. Well I should imagine it is more competitive than the Aussie league.
A great story I heard (or crap depending how you see it) was that Wenger was interested in Gattuso! How weird would that be? I must admit I dont see that one happening though!
Diego won’t come in as a replacement for Flamini. I’ve heard nothing but good things about him though. I think the rumour about Krancjar coming has more legs (again, not to replace Flam). Can play left or right – not a typical winger but very much like Rosicky (without the pace). A much better option than playing Diaby on the left! Remember we’ve got Vela coming back from Osasuna for next season who can play on the left. I would definately support a move for Krancjar.
The Gattuso thing would be great if true! Sadly I can’t see it happening.
As I said not seen an awful lot of Diego so thought I would ‘YouTube’ him – and this is what we have:
I’m sure if we are after him there’s a long enough queue.
I would go for Krancjar as well he’s showed what he can do in the Prem and wouldn’t need to settle in. Also I’m not sure why people are so obsessed with speed – we can’t have every player who in a red and white shirt who can do 100metres in below ten seconds. I would definitely snap him up. Given Rosicknote’s injury shenanigans we need someone to have as back up or even a replacement.
On a side note I wouldn’t use Diaby on the left wing in place of Rosicknote, he isn’t a winger by any stretch of the imagination as much as Eboué isn’t a right winger.
Yes if Diego becomes available (I believe Bremen’s President/Chairman said something like “over his dead body”!) we’ll be behind the likes of Madrid. Quality player but I struggle to see where he’d fit in. And he would cost a fortune. I have to admit I’m one of those obsessed with speed, and as Krancjar seems particularly slow it just makes me think it’s something that could stop him reaching the top level. But he can shoot which would go down well with the fans I’m sure! You’re right though we need quality cover for Rosicky as his hamstrings seem knackered (I thought his current injury was to last just 2-3 days!?). Should remember that Wenger seems to like Eduardo on the left so he could have a selection headache when/if Eduardo and Rosicky ever get fit again.
I wouldn’t use Diaby on the left either, but we don’t have many other options currently. As for Eboue… sometimes I feel Wenger’s faith is blind. 1 assist from all of those games at RM isn’t good enough (I think that stat’s correct?!). And if I’m going to have a dig at Eboues end product it wouldn’t be fair to ignore, despite his ball carrying and ball retention skills (and how much I do like him), the fact that Hleb needs to provide more assists and goals.
I think I’m being a bit too polite (first time for everything!) on Eboué – I have no idea what the hell he’s doing at The Arsenal. If anything, at a push I would only keep him as back up for Super Sagna. Eboué is no RM – and I have no idea why Wenger persists with him. Eboué hasn’t scored all season and his assists are zero from what I can remember. Now I wont claim to know everything about football but a midfielder who doesn’t score or doesn’t assist isn’t really worth having in the team. I’m not even going to start on theatrics and Oscar performances. But Eboué needs to go IMO.
I don’t think many of you will be surprised to learn that Flamini was offered this contract around six weeks ago, and had also decided to leave but did not make an announcement while we were still challenging for trophies. Although in truth his silence made it abundantly clear that he wouldn’t be signing a contract with us. It is a real shame as he has now possibly halted the deveopment of this team momentarily.
My suggestion and preferred choice is not an original one but I feel he is the right man for this particular job – Gareth Barry. Barry offers balance to the side, is left footed ala a certain pony-tailed former gunner, can cover at left back or left wing, can pass, has drive, energy, can play a holding role or can cover in central midfield for Cesc, takes set pieces good pens and free kicks, offers leadership, experience, won’t need the settling in that foreigners would need, is reaching his peak as a player, and is English and therefore has a free summer while most of our squad are playing in Euro 2008.
But of course we know that Barry will never wear an Arsenal shirt. I would hazard a guess that Alex Song will be used in the role to begin with, and either him or Diaby will end up being our first choice DM.
We may need to replace Alex Hleb aswell. I have to say this Webster clause is totally unfair on clubs. How much freedom are we going to give these poor millionaire footballers? If Hleb leaves we may need to change our style a bit, unless we find another player that plays on the wing but moves centrally. David Bentley would have been perfect for the style we play now with Adebayor as a focal point, but when he left we were not exactly in need to crosses into the box. Now we are, so someone of similar stature would be a good idea. If we were to sign Robinho like some fans are craving, I’m afraid we’d end up with another Reyes in my view.
I agree TDP, the writing had been on the wall a long time ago with regards to Flamini. You can’t really blame him (his career is short, Italian heritage, blah blah). Also he jonied us in more controversial circumstance when he stitched up Marseille. I’m not sure about Barry – as well as speed I’ve got a thing for mobility and agility. I think these are attributes Flamini had in abundance and I really feel we should be trying to replace him ‘like for like’ as the combination with Cesc works. If only Hargreaves hadn’t jonied ManUre…
The Webster clause is a joke. How are teams supposed to build anything when you’ve got clubs like Madrid/Barca/Milans/Chelski prepared to buy out contracts and offer bigger contracts to players? I have no doubt that if Cesc had 2 years left Barca would be all over him and fully prepared to do the neccassary to sign him. I wouldn’t blame the players for invoking this clause as much as the clubs that stump up the money. Morality is a buzz word at Arsenal these days and I think this is the issue here. It’s bascially the Bosman rule tailor made for rich clubs.
I wish we hadn’t let Bentley go, that was a mistake. Also passing up the opportunity to sign Ribery (I thought the deal was all but signed) was a mistake in my view.
Ribery??! Why the hell didn’t we get him? I’m sorry but The Arsenal can’t pleading poverty when we the fans are paying top whack for tickets. I know Wenger loves a ‘deal’ on a player but we can’t keep playing this poor man role and believe we can attract big names. There are times you have to shell out. I’m actually getting pissed off with all this talk of having no money – how is that possible? We’re a top four team, in the Champions League every season and raking in £1,5m on match day at Ashburton Grove and still we’re claiming we’re poor? WTF?
Sorry boys think I must of got out the wrong side of bed this morning!
Steve I would certainly agree with your thoughts on Hargreaves – Had he not joined United he would be the perfect man for the job. The problem I see with replacing Flamini is that it won’t be as easy to replace like-for-like as a lot of gunners are suggesting. The work-rate of Flamini coupled with his dynamism and good passing ability are the reason he is currently at AC Milan, and replacing someone who in all likelyhood will only improve further next season is a big ask. I completely agree that Barry does not offer the same levels of mobility, but in terms of his usefulness to the squad over a long season, I think he could be invaluable.
As for Ribery, my understanding of the situation is that Bayern offered much more money to Marseille and the player, and he chose to move to Bayern ahead of Arsenal. (Despite his rumblings about Champions League football) He would have been the perfect signing and has been in immense form this season in the Bundesliga, but that ship has most certainly sailed. Top wingers (Ribery could also play centrally in the hole so would have been the perfect Hleb replacement) are becoming very difficult to find. That leaves a great deal of work to do this summer, and I just hope Arsene makes the right choice.