Arsenal linked with Barcelona’s Toure

5 Responses to “Arsenal linked with Barcelona’s Toure”

1. evo on May 12th, 2008 15:34

   i think we need more of a makoun/diarra type player to fill flaminis void. Barry would be the best replacement but I cant see that happening.

2. doubting thomas on May 12th, 2008 16:21

   So where exactly are you getting this info from? silly season has started already - wheres your back up for this story? why would barca let go of one of their better players when clearly they need to build their own team? Its not as if Aresenal are a bigger team or hes not getting playing time? codswallop

3. Lanesra on May 12th, 2008 16:54

   Yes, I’d love to see him an an Arsenal shirt and wished he’d have come years ago when Kolo was suggesting him to Wenger - I’ve watched Yaya often on TV and am very impressed. But will Barcelona let such a successful player leave when they have to ship so many fading stars? In our dreams. I think.
   And yes, I’d love more English players and feel that is a Man U strength (it’s a main reason they want the excellent Richards) we don’t have. But not overpaid over-indulged Chavs, please.

4. dan sampton on May 16th, 2008 22:58

   With some alterations to Yaya’s game he can replace Flamini, but why stop there? With talk of replacing at Arsenal I often wonder how Arsene could have fallen in love with Cesc. Now, while Cesc is a quality player, he never replaced Vieira. Vieira was not only a creator, but a ball-winner, enforcer, leader, bulwark, who could also score regularly. Cesc could never be expected to fill that role nearly as well, esp given his age and build. Yes, the young experiment has produced quality football, but there is no escaping the fact that once the pires, bergkamp, vieira seasoned warriors left the team, arsenal became second best. In the post-Vieira era Arsenal can no longer dominate, boss the pitch or hold up play. It’s time Wenger admits as much and revamps the squad.

   Yaya is just the beginning of what’s needed to build a winner. Thankfully Wenger didn’t go for Luka, who is quality, but another three foot tall midfielder is not needed. (The secret’s out – teams know how to defend against Arsenal – insufficient wide-play. Eight defenders on the top of the box and Arsenal still try to dribble it in. You don’t see Manu doing that stupid stuff and they have not one intelligent player. Ferguson’s solution is simple- when they don’t play the ball wide to broaden the defense and create more openings not to mention more crosses, he takes the player out behind the shed til there’s blood in his stool.) (Wenger, in true development style, Eboue, Walcott, Rvp, Ben Alfalfa Jr. et all better be practicing their crosses all summer long).

   Wenger, time to stop coddling the kids and give them some proper role models- Barry, Villa, Richards, etc. The current team is too young and short of real leadership on the field. Gallas you’re a man, check, but it can’t hurt to have an adult or two on the pitch.

   Any self-respecting world class club with a player hinting unhappiness ala Hleb is immediately shown the door, albeit in the nicest most profitable way possible. This scenario also underscores the subtle but oh so real attraction of a winning side. Witness Gerrard. There is no manager more capable than Wenger of producing beautiful fluent football, but winning is important as well. Three trophyless seasons on the trot takes it’s toll. Witness Barca - two empty seasons and off you go, now I favor stability a bit more than that but a certain amount of ruthlessness can sharpen and focus young minds.

   Though improved, it’s difficult to see the current squad as champions given what they are up against - deeper, more mature sides with proven winners as well as great young talent. Another five young gunners can go on loan again as we bring in experience. A page from Ferguson’s book needs inserting: no one understands the requirements to be successful in the premier league better than alex. Power as well as speed, strength as well as skill, youth as well as age, size as well as squirts, add to that durability and depth, with utter devotion to the squad mentality and yet accommodating a quirk here and there. It is also the mark of a superior manager to admit mistakes and move to correct them(best privately and expeditiously).

   No one aspect of Arsenal this season was really scintillating, are they worth keeping around for so long to only entertain but not win? ManU, Chelsea, Liverpool are not slowing down for anyone. Although I have to laugh at those silly Liverpool directors, turned down Dubai Int’l Cap for tweedle dolt and tweedle jackass.

   Arsene, with all due prudence of course, bring in the power that brings credibility, respect within the club and without and wins. Arsene, build anew, not names but players(how old was Bergkamp when you bought him, Pires?). Also, a strict wage structure cannot exist in isolation, but it can certainly implode. What was Flamini paid 20k/wk? Those are 90’s prices. I can just see Flamini looking down at Eduardo’s erstwhile ankle and think “I’m bustin’ my ass and risking this kind of injury in this physical league for 20k/wk and my teammates are pulling in what?!” Arsene, you effectively asked Flamini to go. After dumping Kaka on his arse and chopping up Milan with razor precision, Flamini was a goner. This is the massive and little discussed downside of developing vs buying and paying fairly. The question remains, which is preferred developing or winning? Only 25 million for transfers, doesn’t make sense. If Kroenke and Usmanov are billionaire Arsenal supporters, time to prove it. No one is bigger than the club.

5. BASHIR on June 19th, 2008 16:04

   Yaya is a strong player wth successful career. it’ll b a gud idea if Arsen can land hm at d Emirates. As we knw hs big bro is also there at the Emirate, so its gonna b a big boost 4 the team. Gallas form hs bn a thng of concern lately and we cant afford 2 mess things up nxt season. Coach Arsen shld also try d likes of manchester city’s Defender Richards. Its high time

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