Wenger comes up trumps - again
Posted by DavidM in Arsenal, Arsene Wenger, Chelsea | 1 September 2006
So the transfer window has now closed and silly season is over.
The biggest farce over summer was the on-off transfer of Ashley Cole followed fairly closely by Reyes' claims he did then didn't then did want to leave.
It looked like being all bad news for Wenger having lost Campbell, Bergkamp and Pires from the squad and only Rosicky joining the gunners. But on the final day the master pulled it off.
Two want-away world class players leave and in their place? Gallas and Julio Baptista plus £5m that could go towards sorting out Arsenal's awful online ticket process.
Two top players, £5m and "the chosen one" being upset. Could it have ended any better.
Comments
I think Wenger is gambling on his hope.... and it turns out that his luck is indeed great , thanks to Kenyon who santion the sale of Gallas despite Morinho's stance to rot Gallas in the reserve. Plus also further thanks to Atletico Madrid for upping the offer which prompt Real Mardrid to offer last minute swap deal... I also think Arsene did plenty of homework on statistic and probabilty of landing those players. Beside Dein is being kind to Wenger by reducing his 20million price demand on Ashley... So i guess, its more on luck... God is fair to Arsenal and gifted 2 exceptionaly talented experienced players for Chelsea and real madrid has destabilised Arsenal in the past.
It's good, but I don't know about the special one being upset. Probably bull.
Great signings, I reckon. Ashley Cole didn't feature much for Arsenal last season and the team went all the way to the Champions League final, with Flamini featuring prominently at left back. With Cole only a left-sided defender, having Gallas swapped over from Chelsea means Wenger now has the option of playing Gallas on the left, or in the center, alongside Toure. With Eboue now established as the first-choice right back (no?), the backline looks strong - Eboue, Toure, Senderos, Gallas - with Lauren, Djorou and Flamini able-backups.
As for Baptista, what a fantastic signing. Arsene Wenger was in the race to sign Baptista, and almost got his man, before Real Madrid decided to buy him as back-up. Now, Wenger got his man. Arsenal now have a healthy-looking midfield, with Gilberto, Baptista, Fabregas, Rosicky and Hleb all capable of doing a job in the center of the park. The right side of midfield belongs to Ljungberg - and Van Persie can do a job there too. On the left, Rosicky could make that spot his own - so could Van Persie (yes, it's him again!), who was a left winger for PSV.
Up front, Henry and Adebayor, pace and height. With Walcott and Van Persie both good finishers too, Arsenal now have a balanced team to mount a serious challenge at the top.
Well done, Wenger.
I have to admit, as an arsenal fan I really felt the pressure this summer having only previously purchased Rosicky. However, I was delighted that we managed to snap up gallas and Baptista as well as get rid of Cole and Reyes. They were creating a negative atmosphere and needed to leave. I think we came out very well of the deals with Gallas and £5 mil a fair price for Ashley and hopefully Julio will pen a permanent deal as long as he makes a positive impact on the premiership. baptista showed he wos a brilliant player at sevilla and hopefully if we put him in the right position he will shine for us. I believe we now have a very diverse team altho another 2 acclaimed defenders in january would be alot more re assuring. hopefully they will adjust quickly and we can make a successful challenge for major competitions this season.