Some managers may be cursing Mark Hughes and Manchester City, with their bucketloads of cash and a needy addiction to trying to sign every troublesome and moody striker in the world. Yet, Arsene Wenger may be quiet relieved after this weekend though as Emanuel Adebayor joined the Eastlands revolution ending his 3 year spell at Arsenal. In public he may say he’s disappointed to lose him, but £25 million sure makes the pain disappear rather quickly.
After the tiresome and rather obvious pleading that Adebayor went through last summer, trying to engineer a move to join A.C. Milan, Wenger should be pleased to receive a staggering £25 million for the Togolese striker. Despite a little wavering on the part of the striker, no doubt still hankering after that phone call to come from the San Siro, Manchester City finally confirmed the deal yesterday.
With Eduardo’s return to fitness, coupled with the return of Tomas Rosicky, both after nightmare periods of injury bound inactivity, Wenger now has money to spend on players more suited to the team ethic he has created at the Emirates. Adebayor, despite his goal return of 16 last season, gave the impression of a man who wanted to be somewhere else. The wages of £80,000 a week he managed to squeeze out of Arsenal due to his continual flirting with Italy and Spain last summer were obviously a burden for him.
Arsenal’s fans however were not impressed with his efforts for the Gunners last season. Using the template that earned Michael Owen so much scorn, they created a similar brochure offering Adebayor’s talents to the highest bidder. I have to say I found it rather amusing, if somewhat bizarre, to then discover that Adebayor wanted a “loyalty” bonus as he hadn’t asked to leave. Bless him.
The general feeling from the supporters seems to be one of good riddance, the whole Milan saga souring any relationship they had with player. They doubted his commitment, effort and willingness to fight for the cause last season, despite his hefty wage increase. Wenger however has been more complementary towards him. ‘We have lost a great player and we wish him well. He’s done extremely well for the club. I don’t believe that last season he got enough support. That was playing a part in my mind and in his mind, certainly, as well.”
Of course, the onus will now be on bringing in some more firepower to improve the Arsenal front line but is it required? Arsenal currently have 6 players who can fill the roles up front for Wenger. As I mentioned, Eduardo has returned and will be looking forward to getting a good preseason under his belt. Walcott will be hoping to get more time on the pitch and finally cement a regular place in the starting line up. After a disappointing Under 21 tournament this summer, he’ll be keen to kick on this season.
Robin van Persie will be desperate to finally put his injury ravaged run behind him and finally prove his worth to the fans and his manager.There is no doubting Van Persie’s talents, but he does still appear fragile to the demands and rigours of top level football. Bendtner often flatters to deceive and needs to show more consistency. Knocking stupidly coloured boots on the head and simply scoring goals would be a good start.
Of the current crop, the one who will be interesting to see how he develops is Andrey Arshavin. Arshavin will be keen to build on the flashes of genius he showed last season and got 6 goals in 12 league games, including 4 at Anfield. He could be Wenger’s ace in the pack next year and he’ll certainly light up the pitch with his range of skills. Finally, is this the season Carlos Vela breaks through to cement a permanant place in the match day squad? Precocious and technically gifted, Vela has the chance to show people just why he is so hotly tipped in games other than Carling Cup games.
If Wenger seeks to bring in another striker, the only type they don’t posses is a battering ram centre forward. Someone who can get amongst central defenders like Terry, Vidic, Woodgate and Carragher and cause them problems. Whilst Bendtner is tall enough, he lacks the physical presence that Adebayor offered. Whatever comes of the funds City have sent Arsene’s way,you can be certain of one thing; the money won’t be wasted.
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amberamer
July 22, 2009 at 12:03 am
well.. without that adebyetocity.. arsenal wil have no problem but since samir nasri broke his leg, wenger need to buy someone.. really do.. dm is needed unless wenger start using toure at position.. i think he wil b great.. but we need player that can tap in all the changes that being created by out creative midfielder…
NSBG
July 21, 2009 at 1:45 am
A CENTRAL DEFENDER AND A DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER THAT’S ALL WE NEED!
Thomas
July 20, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Well said Joaq.
Arsenals woes aren’t scoring goals, it’s having some muscle in the center of the park.
This reminds me of when Arsenal didn’t spend “big enough” in January. People need to remember that they are getting back Eduardo and Rosicky, as well as having added Arshaving.
Arsenal will be running Arshavin, Rosicky, and Fab behind Eduardo and Van Pussy. Bendner provides a solid option off the bench, as do Vela and Walcott.
As Joaq pointed out, put someone behind that creative talent to protect them and Arsenal will do just fine.
BTW, the brochure is utterly hilarious.
jus1
July 20, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Arsenal need a CB bc the current ones are on the decline w/ age. they dont need more offense that will just delay the team chemistry another year.
Kautzie
July 20, 2009 at 7:26 pm
That’s spot on but Wenger won’t do it because he already bought one and he inexplicably thinks Silvestre is good.
jm
July 20, 2009 at 4:49 pm
What was particularly frustrating with Adebayor is that he was always a high-effort guy, running around, harrying defenders, and the like. It made him really easy to root for, even with the shortcomings he has as a player. It made his development into a fine striker a pleasure to watch.
Then he decided he wanted to leave. Whatever was going on in his head, the running simply wasn’t there last season. The shift from one season to the next was not only stunning, but quite rightly depressing. It is no surprise, and no fault of Gooners anywhere, that he fell out with the fans so quickly.
edgar
July 20, 2009 at 3:33 pm
I am not a gooner, but Ade showed moments of brilliance with Arsenal. Having said that, he was a problematic player seemed like. Now you get rid of that problem, and try to find a replacement. I have been a fan of Bendtner, even though most Arsenal fans seem not to care for him(i don’t know why). Van Persie is quality, although he does seem to be injured quite a bit. Fabregas is quality. Clichy and Sagna are good full backs. You guys are missing a to notch defensive midfielder. Oh, and a top notch center back.
Kautzie
July 20, 2009 at 3:04 pm
weedonald, Gourcuff although very good is not in anyway a holding midfielder and neither are any of the guys you listed except for Fletcher who is vastly overrated and merely a good role player who fits perfectly into Ferguson’s system but would not have the same impact at Arsenal. We need a big, physical, DM like Lorik Cana and we’ll be set to challenge Chelsea and United for the League.
sanner
July 20, 2009 at 12:53 pm
wenger will not spend that money,but ruther will use it to repay some of thier debts,wenger is very sturburn
Paul Bestall
July 20, 2009 at 12:50 pm
Gourcruff is a fantastic player who showed last season just how good he could be when given games on the pitch.
He’s actually only just properly joined Bordeaux from Milan as he was on loan last season. The deal gave Bordeaux the option of making the move permament for £13.5 million under the agreement, which Milan tried to scupper.
weedonald
July 20, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Arsenal, will no doubt, miss Adebayor but not his childish, half-assed and mediocre performances when he is pouting for a move away. We saw what Arsenal lacked against ManU in the European cup and against the other top 3 in the EPL. It is ruthlessness! they play smooth, articulated, fancy Football with 2 zillion pretty passes and another 2.5 zillion failed shots on goal. Adebuyout was one of the worst, 50% of the time offside or shooting wide.
Most of the comments are dead on; they need a greatly more experienced holding midfielder like Gerrard is for Liverpool, Lampard is for Chelski, Fletcher is for ManU and Ireland is for Citeh. I love Johan Gourcouff and know he would fit the bill at Arsenal but I don’t believe he is for sale and if he was Real or Citeh would have snapped him up already.
freemo
July 20, 2009 at 11:31 am
What a blow for Arsenal! Now who will lead the dancing?
Dan
July 20, 2009 at 11:16 am
I think arsenal has a lot of talent but with their talent comes a lot of problems, mostly injuries. Hopefully with a relatively injury free season and a strong CDM they will be lifting more than one trophy this season.
wllmhll
July 20, 2009 at 10:41 am
well said, joaq. with all that talent in the team arsenal has failed to lift a trophy again last season.
Joaq
July 20, 2009 at 9:15 am
I really don’t feel Arsenal need to worry about losing Ade. I do feel that Eduardo and Van Persie will do fine without him and Bendtner being the third striker. With Rosicky returning, they really shouldn’t worry all that much. Unfortunately, I feel they are the most underachieving club in the prem. They have such good players and can never seem to put it together. Hopefully for Arsenal, with the return of Rosicky and improved health of Eduardo, things will pick up for the gooners.
piken79
July 20, 2009 at 8:35 am
Arsenal dont need a striker..what they need is a good CM & a DM… I believe the gooners can be v. good this season but if, and only if they decide to spend the money from the Adebayor sale..
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