Arsenal sign Mikael Silvestre to replace Justin Hoyte at Gunnerblog

Arsenal sign Mikael Silvestre to replace Justin Hoyte

213 guns August 21st, 2008

Hoyte was sold for £3m. Silvestre reportedly cost just £750k.

Hoyte is primarily a right-back, where we already have potential cover in the shape of Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Eboue, and Johan Djourou. Silvestre provides reliable back-up for Gael Clichy, as well as a 6′3″ presence at centre-half.

Hoyte has never won a major trophy. Silvestre has won 4 Premier Leagues, both domestic cup competitions, and the Champions League.

When you look at it like that, this can only be a good thing.

The indisputable fact is this: the signing of Silvestre has improved a weak squad.

Some fans will turn their nose up at the arrival of Silvestre simply because of his links with Man U. And yet I strongly suspect these are the same people who decry Wenger’s unwillingness to sign players with Premier League experience. If you’re signing a player from within your own division, the chances are you’ve at some point disliked them, most likely out of nothing but brutal tribalism.

It is so comforting to me to sign a player who I feel is ready to come into the side and do a job immediately if required. And to be honest, he probably won’t be required that often. He’s being signed as cover - any rumours that the transfer is designed to free up Kolo Toure to play in midfield are wide of the mark. But should Clichy, Gallas or another pick up a long-term injury, his experience could prove vital. And don’t doubt his hunger - this is a player whose turned down the opportunity of both a testimonial and a bosman in less than a years time in order to move.

Silvestre has inherited Pascal Cygan’s number 18 shirt, but despite being equally French, bald, and left-footed, we hope he won’t be equally rubbish.

I don’t think he will This is a sensible, low-risk signing that admittedly won’t have a major impact on the first team but adds vital depth to the squad. Now we need to add a midfield player - and he must be capable of a major impact on the first-choice XI.

Last night Arsene Wenger was in Geneva watching Gokhan Inler in action for Switzlerand. Could he be the man? We could know within a week.

Internationals last night - no news of any injuries just yet. Hopefully when RVP arrives back he’ll be doing plenty more of this.

So. Silvestre. What do you think?

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32 Comments Add your own

1. useroz | August 21st, 2008 at 5:18 am

how sure are you with the “… Arsene Wenger was in Geneva..” bit?
2. Frankenstein | August 21st, 2008 at 5:21 am

well i think he will be better than senderos, but i dont 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?????????????
3. ali | August 21st, 2008 at 5:50 am

1st gun now lets get inler!
4. fran | August 21st, 2008 at 5:56 am

Spot on. Kolo doesn’t belong outside central defense unless we’re tragically short of cover, and apparently ideas. Silvestre prrovides much needed cover, and is overall an excellent signing, prudent and opportunistic by Wenger. To my view, Xabi is at the top of Wenger’s short list for the dm role and Wenger is angling in every way to bring Xabi’s price down, but failing that Inler is in the wings.
5. Hansen | August 21st, 2008 at 6:04 am

first? and yes i’m excited about silvestre, quality player with quality experience. what a coup by wenger
6. Ord | August 21st, 2008 at 6:06 am

“Arsenal need to get more experience in the team. ” This is something that I have often heard. What AW has done is spend a few pounds ( When one consider the cost of players in our time, it’s really a few pounds) on an experience defensive player who may prove to be vary valuable for us. Which mean he still has money to spend on a player that we really need to strengthen our medfield. It can only be all good!!!
7. fran | August 21st, 2008 at 6:09 am

Spot on, Kolo does not belong outside central defense, unless it’s emergency cover and Wenger wants a chuckle. Silvestre adds much needed cover; this is Wenger at his opportunistic and prudent best. Silvestre may have something left to prove after injuries last season and is a player’s professional, he will have a positive impact. As for the dm role, to my view Xabi still tops Wenger’s short list and he is angling in every way to bring Xabi’s price down, failing that Inler is in the wings.
8. Lenga | August 21st, 2008 at 6:24 am

I believe this is an inspired signing by Wenger. Senderos… Yes I kike him but after the Liverfool match I got convinced he is too unstable and lacks not only anticipation but composure. This guy hasbeen proven before.
9. Fozz | August 21st, 2008 at 6:26 am

Silverstre unfortuantly is only 6″1. But your article does seem to prove that short-term his signing is a benefit. Though it just seems to go against alot of things wenger has said in the offseason.
10. yonas tekie | August 21st, 2008 at 6:34 am

wowwwwww………. that’s good for me for being silvestre in arsenal. but it is not mean that he is special like sagna or samir nasri to be in our beloved team .
but the lack of average squade is the main prob of last year’s flying of arsenal over the other EP teams. so i’m really really glad to have such well experienced all rounder defence and also his fenchness is also nice to have quick settlment .so please gyus don’t hesitate about him . i know and believe that he will have a very good positive influence and he will make some computitive manner for the center backs too, specially for Gallas. Coze Gallas is considering his position as if he is a king that means no one is replacing him withuot his will, and i believe such mentalily is earased for his commitments and repeatedlly making mistakes as well. anyway WELCOME SILVESTRE.
11. Jav | August 21st, 2008 at 6:52 am

Where did you get that he was 6′3″?

Wikipedia lists him as 1.83m (6ft 0in).
Skysports lists him as 1.84m (6ft 1/2in).
12. Sniff | August 21st, 2008 at 7:11 am

I agree. All in all a good move. Stabilises the defence adds a winning mentality and doesn’t jepordise a young player’s development.
13. arsenal | August 21st, 2008 at 7:15 am

not bad signing ..
14. Bolarex | August 21st, 2008 at 7:28 am

Silvestre is a good player with a lot of experience and i hope he will be of great impact to the team.
4rm Nigeria
15. sagooner | August 21st, 2008 at 7:46 am

Ok i get all the reasons for buying Silvestre. But what gets my goat is that he has been given a two year contract. Because of the whole one year deal for those over 30 we lost the great Pires and probably even Gilberto but we are willing to offer a two year deal to this ManU player who is not nearly thebest player in his position in the league forget the world. Makes no sense to me, he is a great signing as a squad player but to break the longstanding rule for him makes absolutely no logical sense.
16. ole | August 21st, 2008 at 7:49 am

could this be another move in the ongoing mindgame between wenger and fergie?
arsene taunts fergie about hiring Becks
fergie ripostes by teasing about Titi
arsene ratchets things up by nabbing Silvestre
fergie steals eboue from under our noses…
Arsene knows
17. ole | August 21st, 2008 at 7:56 am

Could this be the latest move in the ongoing arsene-fergie mindgames?

arsene teases fergie about giving becks a home
fergie responds by acting all coy about titi
arsene ratchets it up by nabbing silvestre
fergie puts him in his place by stealing eboue

arsene knows
18. Erichero | August 21st, 2008 at 8:12 am

I’m stunned but also very pleased. If I was playing fantasy football, this is the kind of signing I would make to strengthen my squad.

We were all painfully aware of the shortages at the back, and Wenger has talked about the high cost of Prem signings, so to get that kind of experience at that kind of price is excellent business.

Secondly, Silvestre is old enough not to threaten the young guys coming through.
19. Bakes | August 21st, 2008 at 8:53 am

A player over 30 offered a 2 year deal. Wonder what Pires thinks of that.
20. mancsshitetaker | August 21st, 2008 at 9:11 am

thank god 4 silvestre!
21. Ole Gunner | August 21st, 2008 at 9:12 am

I’ll bet anyone here ten quid that he fails miserably for Arsenal. He’s shite. Wenger might be losing it afterall.
22. Bonchico | August 21st, 2008 at 9:14 am

This is total rubbish,wenger has done enough,its time he leaves,wat a bad day,we end up being speculated wit top players and end up not shining them all of a sudden,this awful signing,am short of words.
23. Shuta | August 21st, 2008 at 9:14 am

Am sure wenger knows what he is doing…
24. yoyogamesguy | August 21st, 2008 at 11:04 am

I’m not one who usually criticises Wenger. But I don’t want to watch this manc playing for the gunners. Apart from the fact I’ve always thought he was the “weakest link” in the ManUre defence it makes me feel ill seeing a manc in an Arsenal shirt. I hope we boo him off the pitch on his first game and he buggers off.
25. IziRascal | August 21st, 2008 at 11:12 am

I completely agree. All over the blogs people are being ridiculous in slating Wenger for a lack of ambition, but the fact is that he has been signed as a backup. Wenger obviously has faith in our first team. I don’t understand some people: Everyone cries out for experience and more depth, but when we get it they’re complaining about a lack of ambition. The fact is that squad players are not going to be very exciting, world-renowned players. Silvestre is a reliable (particularly at left back) premiership player with lots of premiership experience and knows what it feels like to consistently win medals.
I do understand that it will feel strange seeing as Silvestre has been a ManU cunt for so long, but this is the sort of signing we need, especially when you look at it in the context that gunnerblog has (good points fella).
I salute you Arsene - this could be a masterstroke.
26. simon | August 21st, 2008 at 12:39 pm

i am happy by the arrival of silvestere not because he is most exiciting player but because he will add extra strength to club good sining for arsenal. now we need midfielder i hope wenger can by one midfielder in next week.
27. Arsene in Switzerland &la&hellip | August 21st, 2008 at 3:28 pm

[...] reaction was quite negative. But, on reflection I think it’s a tremendous signing. Gunnerblog gave me some perspective on the whole affair: we just traded Hoyte for Silvestre AND got £2.25m out of the deal. Fair enough piece of [...]
28. floridagunner | August 21st, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Not sure about this signing myself. Silvestre has been a loyal servant of Manure and Fergusmoaner so I dont even think I like him that much.

Let’s see how this goes.
29. Koshan | August 6th, 2009 at 8:00 am

Думаю стоит добавить в избранное, мне понравилось
30. Plovdiy | August 10th, 2009 at 8:14 am

Неплохая подборка в блоге, хорошо сделано, автору спс.
31. Seriona | August 11th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

В целом статья мне понравилась, но требует некоторых доработок.
Я бы даже сказал всего одну. Хотелось бы прочитать в более развёрнутов виде
32. BIGincorp | August 14th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Согласен с постом, но есть некоторые не точности=(

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