Arsenal still dogged by Cole and Reyes stories
Posted by DavidM in Arsenal | 25 August 2006
The farce that may or may not be Ashley Cole's transfer to Chelsea rolls on with the latest twist being a reported bid by Arsenal for William Gallas. Cole is again fit but not selected for the game against Manchester City and Wenger now seems to expect him to leave.
Arsenal are also distracted by Reyes. After talk linking him to Real Madrid over summer, Athletico Madrid have made what Wenger considers an 'insulting' £8.1m offer.
Arsenal need these two situations resolved and ideally through the sale of both players. The transfer window closes on 31st August but if the transfers don't happen we'll have two disgruntled players in the squad when we need focus and high morale.
As Wenger says, "The unfortunate thing is that we talk more about the players who do not play than the players that do play".
Cole hasn't been happy since the Arsenal board were 'unsupportive' after he met Chelsea illegally and behind their backs. Reyes is apparently homesick. While I dislike the idea that players can sign lucrative long-term contracts then turn their back on them, having these two at the club is not helping the team look forward and prepare for the games ahead.
Let them both go and watch them fail to recreate their Arsenal form like so many big names before them.
Then let's celebrate the new crop of talent in our great new home - even if we can't always get through the turnstiles.
Comments
The two situations do need sorting out, but the ashley cole deal leaves a particularly bitter taste in the mouth. the fact that one of the points that is being argued is whether or not he is paid the £2m 'loyalty' fee in his contract by arsenal is frankly repulsive. he strikes me as a weak-willed, malleable, naive young boy who is being manipulated by Barnett in whichever way makes him the most money. disgraceful.
So.. it's a Cole and Gallas swap.
