Is Sol the answer for our defence? + other news 23 July, 2010
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News.trackback
This summer we found ourselves in a dangerous position with three centre backs all reaching the end of their contracts and all three looking likely to move on. Last week at the Barnet friendly Arsene Wenger confirmed that Gallas and Silvestre were unlikely to be with us next season and have since been removed from the squad pages of Arsenal.com. However he said Sol Campbell’s future was still up in the air, he is still listed on those squad pages and is now looking likely to sign a new one year deal with us. He was in talks with Celtic and Sunderland but it looks as if both of those have fell through and we will stay with Arsenal.
He was a shock addition in January, joining on a six-month deal as back up but ended up playing an important role with Gallas out injured. It was clear that he wasn’t quite as fit as everyone else but his commitment was still 100% there and he could definitely do a job in the centre of defence. Not only that but his leadership qualities were vitally important, he was one of few experienced players in the season run in and I believe his presence really helped us keep going. He knows all about what it takes to play in this league, he might not have the legs so much but he still has the brain.
So what if the rumours are true and Sol is staying another year? I was hoping we would sign another defender in his prime but knowing Wenger if he takes Campbell on for another year I think that might be chequebook closed in that department. It would mean we have four central defenders in the first team; Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou and Campbell which I guess isn’t bad – Koscielny and Djourou will be fighting for that place alongside Vermaelen with Sol taking more of a dressing room role and filling in where necessary. We can’t expect him to play 90 minutes, week in, week out but we can expect him to give everything when the chance comes.
Sol plus one more defender would be ideal but I think we might be just about alright with those four you know. We’d have Nordtveit, Eastmond and Miquel behind them and the former has impressed in pre-season so far. I suspect that Wenger will see how it goes with the current lot and if it isn’t quite up to standard he may add one more before the window shuts but if Sol does sign in the next few days then I don’t think we can expect much more activity in that area, sadly.
Moving on and there’s a bit of injury news to report. Yeah I know – start as you mean to go on! Denilson and Bendtner are missing from the Austrian camp due to two groin problems but Wenger insists they are nothing serious and we can expect them back soon:
“Bendtner has a groin and Denilson has a groin as well. The injuries do not look big but at the moment they cannot fulfil full training sessions. They will be one week behind the rest.”
With Eduardo gone and Wenger not looking to sign another striker this season is another chance for Bendtner to impress. I thought he did alright last year and he still has age on his side to improve his game. I do like Bendtner and I can be patient with him, he knows what he’s doing, he brings players into play well and he has become a lot less selfish than when he first joined. He scored 12 goals last season which isn’t bad going, his target this year should to be to reach the 20-goal mark; if he makes that then I’ll be happy with him.
David Villa has joined in calling for Cesc to join Barcelona. Yawn. Everybody knows that Fabregas wants to go back to Barcelona, everybody knows about his ‘DNA’ and everybody knows that all the players there want him to join them. However everybody knows that Barcelona can’t afford him, so how about upping your bid or shutting the fuck up? That’s all I have to say.
Jack Wilshere’s been talking about his need to play. After tasting first team football at Bolton I think he might want some sort of promise from Mr. Wenger about what kind of game time he can expect next season. I hope he doesn’t opt to go out on loan again because as I said previously I think he could do a great job in our team if we picked up an injury in his position.
And finally Thierry Henry scored in his debut for New York against Spurs, which is just absolutely sweet. I was up late last night to watch the game on the net and there were thousands of Gooners in attendance outnumbering the travelling scum to see Titi put another one past the old enemy. It was great to see and I’m sure he enjoyed that one. If you haven’t seen it yet you can see that goal here.
Happy Friday everyone. Enjoy your weekend.
No , Sol is not the answer.
BUY,WENGAH,BUY!!!
was gutted when i saw he is signing, means no one else is coming and the four of them are simply not good enough to win the league or CL.
if like last year we lose two centre backs campbell will need to play twice a week and he simply can’t do that. as part of 5 centre backs fine, but the number 4, although i would play him in front of kos and johann anyway, no way. NOT good news at all.
sol is not the answer but he will an excellent Addison to it. with all is leadership and now how he brings it can only benefit the gunners .all we need is FB DM GK AND AWAY GO
I have to agree with the article in that I think Sol offers more than just back up to the other 3 CB’s. His presence and pride in the club that he plays for is a great influence on the younger players. He’s a winner and showed last season that he can still play. He reads the game better than anyone else and I suspect Wenger is keen to keep him at the club after he retires from playing, to help in the coaching set up (if Sol wants to). I hope he stays.
we need a major world class centre back. World class palyers can be created yes, like adams, but right now we are past the developing stage. Wen need a major partner to vermalen , but all the other defenders are right footed. So there is a proble and all the other defenders arnt ready to win the pl or cl unless we do play extreemly well.
But who knows this could be the year.
Ivan Gazidis said we have money now we want trophies. How many of our rivals considered signing Sol Campbell, or have a 35 (almost 36) year-old CB as a back-up? It’s neither a progressive or an ambitious signing. Last season we were beaten far too easily by Chelsea, Man Utd (h), & Man City (a). Tottenham beat us comfortably at WHL too. City are strengthening, Redknapp has said he wants at least 3 more new players, Man Utd have bought 2, but they & Chelsea are already ahead of us. I don’t think we’re that far away from their level, but I don’t think any of Wenger’s signings so far, look like closing that gap. Buying either Joe Hart, Igor Akinfeev or Stekelenberg would make us a significantly stronger force.
still think we need an experienced dm.
that would free up song to be a classy utility player covering dm and cb if needs be.
and play both in those nasty matches against the cloggers up north!
Much as I adore Sol,am stil obedient to say that Arsenal is in need of not only a mentaly strong CB but also one with strong legs,this sends Sol parking.Remember how Gilberto struggled,he was mentaly o.k in midfield but with weak legs,he had to go anyway.Sol has to follow suit.
agree with comment number 6 completely. how are we stronger than last year exactly??? If no quality GK, CB and DCM cover arrive it will be much the same as last year or dare i say worse. We are breakeven at worst in the transfer market thus far……come on AW make good on your promises.
Wenger does need to make good on his promises. 1 more quality CB and a top class GK and I’m happy. As of now we are no better than last year.
Fucking American commentators ruined Titi’s goal.
I agree SK. I’m an American and I HATE the US commentators. Thankfully for the World Cup we got the English commentators on ESPN, and for Prem games we get the direct feed from UK as well… but for a game like this they have these morons who either don’t know anything about the game or if they do, assume their audience doesn’t. Just because not ALL americans love proper football doesn’t mean that those of us who DO watch it regularly should be insulted.
It would be great to have Sol, for his experience & he’s a winner which is more than the rest of that lot are. Cesc aside I guess.
However when we end up relying on him because JD’s injured & Kozza’s struggling then what? Song @ CB. Denilson @ DM. Bye Bye trophies – again….
As for the GK situation – oh fuck it – I can’t be bothered, it’s too fucking depressing.
Thanks for the bullshit Arsene….
I`m actually well pleased to hear big sol is considering re-signing, the geezer is still top draw, when fully motivated. I`d give him the shirt and tell him that it is his until he loses his form. If he does re-sign, I think we are well covered in the CB department. What I feel is imperative is the signing of a decent GK, I can only hope the Swartzser rumours are true as I dont fancy starting the new season with our current lot. By the way, I totally agree with Amerigooner, although most yanks no fuck all about football, the yanks I`ve met who are into the game are really knowledgeable. Also it was great to see Thierry score against the stinking yids again and to see all the gooners in the crowd taking the piss.
We are losing ground. Out of the top teams, Man U, Chelsea, Spurs, and Man City we won 1 game out of 8. We LOST 6 and had 1 draw. Now we have spent maybe ten million on a question mark CB and got a good free swap Chamack for Eduardo. We’ve lost our senior CB and replaced with ????? yes question marks. How can any right thinking person think we have improved. You want to see improvement, look at Man City, that’s improvement.