Day: May 18, 2008

Flamini, parting shots

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers4 Comments

Flamini says that Arsenal could have kept him if we had offered him a new contract earlier.

“Last July I told Arsenal I wanted to extend my contract so, of course, I would have signed if they had offered me a deal – but they didn’t.

It all comes down to the fact that he was basically a fringe player till this season. Le Boss was going to offload him, he stayed, but we didn’t offer him a new contract in the summer, because we wanted him ‘to prove himself’.

Basically we didn’t believe in him, and at the time that seemed to make sense. Now at the end of the season Mathieu has made his point.

If we had had a little more belief we would still have him, but when a big club like Milan comes calling with sacks of money, you don’t turn it down. Especially if you feeling a little more than unappreciated by the club you’re at.

We used him, and now he has used us.

Wenger must be feeling a little stung after the happenings this season. Flamini left, and Diarra went, leaving us bare in central midfield. No real likely candidates within the sqaud to take the role on a long term basis. Gilberto will still be here, and theres Diaby, but I think we will see a new face for that position.

Song, A fantastic CB for next season?

On By jamesgillespIn Arsenal1 Comment

Will Alex Song be a regular next season?

That is a question on many fans lips as Wenger praised the player. The amount of bad press this guy got when he joined was incredible.

Wenger said:

“I believe he is a remarkable player and I was one of the very, very few who believed in Alexandre Song,”

“I can show you articles in newspapers which said that [he] was the worst buy I have made but you will see in one or two years that he will be a great player for Arsenal.”

All this season and last, a fat bald guy in the row in front of me has slagged this guy off at every opportunity (along with half the team). I can’t see why though. He played very well in the run he got at the end of the season, and was impressive at the ANC. Wenger followed on:

“When I put a player somewhere, I know why I do. If I play Song at centre back it is because I believe he will be a great centre back for Arsenal Football Club.

“In Song’s case, he can play in central midfield. But can he play 60 games there? I am not convinced.”

So basically Le Boss is suggesting that Song can’t hack the intensity of midfield, which is true, he is good going forward, but he looks a little sluggish, more suited to a role in central defence. He won’t be replacing Flamini.

Wenger will keep him at centre back next season, and personally I am a big fan of the guy. Maybe just because he gets so much stick, but you have to admit he has talent. He won’t be first choice, but excellent back-up.

Forget Dunne, all we want is Song!

Arsenal transfer update: In for Nasri or Ben Arfa?

On By jamesgillespIn Transfers2 Comments

Arsenal are rumoured to be making a move for 21 year old French International Samir Nasri.

He has just signed a new long-term contract at Marseille, but apparently that the deal was only made to settle a transfer protocol.

Now there doesn’t seem to be much substance to this, I think Ben Arfa is more likely to come in. The rumour mill seems to have gone into overdrive.

His agent said:

“As soon as the season is over, we will discuss with Samir, about his future, and we will plan all the solutions,”

“There are offers, that is the truth, but for the moment nothing is decided.”

He is a player I would like to see at Arsenal, but I think it is unlikely. Nevertheless it a possibility, Goonertalk says here that the player may have played his last match at Marseilles, so he is going somewhere!