Arsenal plan SHOCK bargain buy: Wenger has a genius idea!
by Mr Comfort on August 20th, 2008
| 325 words |
This source suggests that Arsene is going to approach arch-rivals Manchester United for one of their longest-serving players!
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Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre was last night on the verge of an astonishing move to bitter rivals Arsenal.
The 31-year-old France international had appeared to be on his way to Manchester City or Sunderland. But Sportsmail can reveal that Arsenal came in with a late offer to tempt Silvestre into one of the summer’s most unexpected transfers.
Sources close to the player revealed last night that the 31-year-old had been won over by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, one of his home country’s most revered coaches, and the promise of Champions League football at the Emirates.Arsenal will expect to pay United around £750,000 for a player who moved to Old Trafford from Inter Milan in the 1998-99 season and will offer him £50,000-a-week.
What makes the deal so remarkable is that Wenger and his bitter rival, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, have never before traded players in the 12 years they have been in opposition in the Premier League. (Daily Mail)
This is very interesting indeed. It kind of makes sense, Arsenal need some experienced heads in their squad, especially as back-up for their back four. The veteran Frenchman is adaptable and could be a very intelligent purchase, and a cheap one at that.
However there is of course the Sir Alex issue. Would the Man United boss be wise to offload a player to their direct opposition? It appears that Wenger and Ferguson have a begrudging respect for each other, but I would imagine the wily Scot would rather sell Mikael to the likes of Sunderland or Manchester City, than hand a player of quality to the north London rivals. Do Arsenal fans see the wisdom of this move or is Wenger barking up the wrong tree?
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Tagged Under: arsenal fc, Manchester United, Premier League, Transfer Rumours
Bob_Bobson - August 21st, 2008 at 1:05 am
ha!
done deal now
actually i think this is a great signing, provided he’s used mainly for cover
his experience will help our youngsters & won’t need time to bed into premier or Champoins league level matches
to quote an advertisement:
“just one more ok?”
AW - August 21st, 2008 at 1:57 am
I agreed with bob robson.. it is very good signing.
shkumbin - August 21st, 2008 at 3:05 am
yes he is very good
chinero - August 21st, 2008 at 3:52 am
its a signing of d hat.beautiful i wuld say
Frankenstein - August 21st, 2008 at 3:57 am
well i agree that he will be better than senderos, but i dint understand why wenger broke the club policy and gave him a 2 yr contract, he is definitely not that good. and whats happening to the defensive midfield player situation, is wenger even thinking abt buying someone? or is he out there looking for an other injured player after bischoff and silvestre. we bloody need someone who can start straight away and not after a few months. the title will be out of reach by then. our current squad looks weaker than last years one with three main players gone. nasri looks a decent player, what do u guys think the boss is thinking??. is he getting too old to handle this job, the club also have to fill management positions. can someone tell me what is happening?????????????
Grill - August 21st, 2008 at 5:12 am
Brilliant move, especially considering the cost. Since it comes very cheap, the risk is minimal. And the potential pay-off huge: we get a tall CB with aerial presence and grit, who can cover for LB easily, and will deliver experience and big-game and brawl-game know-how.
To Frankenstein: it had to be a two-year at least, he had the leverage… Two years is all we’ll need from him, unless Djourou refuses to develop…
Door Gunner - August 21st, 2008 at 6:24 am
Yes hes cheap and yes he will be a good buy. I had thought we were ok for CB’s and I wouldn’t have minded the money being spent on a holding midfielder. I thought Djourou was superb on the weekend and Senderos has never been as bad as people seem to think.
I can only hope that this isn’t the last signing.
Time’s running out and I can only hope Song gets back soon and Diaby recovers well.
I think I read somewhere the Wenger doesn’t rate Song as midfielder..is this true?
He was just put in the top 11 African players as a midfielder.
Mohd Fauzi - August 21st, 2008 at 7:01 am
Brilliant with the low price. Considered the 3rd centre back and 2nd left back.
Dane - August 21st, 2008 at 7:06 am
Wenger says Song doesn´t have the stamina 2 do the job in midfield. I think this is a good buy. + I Really do think wenger will buy ” that extra body in midfield” that has been talking about..
Welcome Mikeal
Gareth - August 21st, 2008 at 7:55 am
This is a brilliant buy for a plethora of reasons. We get cover across ALL back four positions and, as many people have highlighted, he has much needed experience. When Toure or Gallas gets injured, it is then we look as though any title challenge disapears. I know we have lost Flamini but many are forgetting we still have Song and Denilson that can fill that position but, more than likely, it will be Diaby that slots in to the defensive MF role nicely.
In response to those that question why the money was not spent on a CM - well the amnswer is pretty simple. Name me a world class CM that can be purchased for 750k?
The best way to look at this buy would be opportunistic. imagaine seeinf Silvestre in a shop window with a big SALE ribbon around him. OK - there maybe better defenders out there but you must remember that Wenger had to buy somebody that would be willing to spend a majority of the time on the bench (as im sure Gallas and Toure wont get relegated often).
Wenger is by no means losing his touch - in fact, this was another genius signing.
The Arsenal squad is ready to go now - NO MORE SIGNINGS NEEDED.
Jai - August 21st, 2008 at 8:41 am
There is know way Wenger is to old, he is what they say he is . A profesor in football
The man is a genius , Arsenal have kept up with Man U since he arrived with only the income of a 38 000 seater stadium and the huge profits on his genius transfer market tatics,Chelsea are a top 2 club but only with there financial power, they will be something to worry about now as big phil is a very good manager but i will say the Prem is hard so time will tell. I dont understand why people give Arsenal players the stick that they do, as its Arsenal who have to fight off the likes of Barc and madrid and ac for our players.
If they are that shite why do the best clubs in the world want them.
At Arsenal we have a system that keeps us in Europe and the top 4, which is a position any club would want to be in.
The thing is we are never happy and always want more . yes we need to win things but as long as we keep to our system we will.
I have nothing but respect and trust in Wenger
Jai - August 21st, 2008 at 8:48 am
Know way lol oops that would be no way then
calvo - August 21st, 2008 at 9:46 am
my concern with silvestre is and always has been and always will be, his concentration levels.while he is very athletic and is strong in the tackle and aerially sound his attention-span is not always the best.having said that he has come a club that has just won trophies and will bring a winners mentallity to arsenal,and give the back four some depth.gud luck to him he gave 9 yrs service to us and in this day and age that kind of loyalty especially from a player who is not local is a rarity.
KOMO - August 21st, 2008 at 12:20 pm
In Wenger I Trust……I Foresee Something Good Coming.
Anonymous - August 21st, 2008 at 12:47 pm
go wenger……………….go silvestre
Anonymous - August 21st, 2008 at 2:18 pm
agreed, if it is a failure as the cost is minimal it really doesnt have a negative financial effect. 750,000 can be recoverd easily if he is a total flop and has to be sold. i think he is still woth about 2million
Aman Ramdeyal (Liverpool Fan) - August 22nd, 2008 at 8:31 am
I think this is a good signing for you Gunners.
gunner - August 22nd, 2008 at 11:06 am
great signing…has professional and international honours and experience and what a bargain price. wenger has once again found a player everyone else overlooked.
i still think we need one more signing. a quality, mature CM/DM in the mould of viera…. denilson and diaby r still not ready in my opinion. although denilson looks more impressive everytime i see him play.
i honestly think we can challenge for the title this year if we buy one more player.. if we don’t then we r gonna have to rely on the youngsters, like denilson, to step up …. only time will tell if they do step up, and is wenger taking an almighty gamble on this, we shall see… but one thing wenger must realise, there is so much pressure on the youngsters shoulders this year as he believes in them so much.
safclad - August 22nd, 2008 at 11:23 am
I would LOVE to see Arsenal finish above Chelsea this year. I’ve always had a soft spot for Mr Wenger and Arsenal.
Silvestre is definatley a good signing for you guys. Not really good enough anymore to hold down a first team spot, but great for squad strengthening.