Who got the best deal: Arsenal or Chelsea? at Gunnerblog

Who got the best deal: Arsenal or Chelsea?

0 guns September 2nd, 2006

It’s the second biggest question on the lips of London’s football fans (the first, of course, being “How in God’s name did West Ham pull that off?!“): Which of Arsenal and Chelsea got the better half of the Cole-Gallas deal?

It’s a difficult question. Let’s look at what the two clubs have in common: both got rid of players who were doing nothing more than destabilising their respective teams: neither had made an appearance so far this term. Were the deals not completed, both Wenger and Mourinho would have been stuck with players who didn’t want to be at the club. Ashley Cole’s difficulties at Arsenal were exacerbated by the forthcoming release of his book. However, Cole did at least declare himself available to play - It was Wenger’s decision to leave him out. Gallas, however, reportedly went on strike to assure he got his move.

Chelsea might therefore claim they had got rid of one difficult player, and instead signed the world’s best left-back. And that’s probably true. But they’ve lost Gallas, a man who last season was probably better defensively than John Terry. Neither Ricardo Carvalho nor Khalid Boulahrouz have the same pace and power that the Frenchman posseses. What’s more, Wayne Bridge had been one of Chelsea’s best players of the season up until this point.

Which raises another point: did Chelsea really need a left-back? With Bridge and Gallas, they seemed perfectly set. What’s more, did Arsenal need a centre-back? Toure and Senderos were set to be our first choice pairing this season, with the impressive Djourou filling in. This transfer is one of convenience, not neccessity.

So what’ve we got out of it? Well, we got rid of Ashley Cole. I really do think that’s something worth saying. I, for one, wanted him nowhere near our club. Secondly, we got Â£5m out of them. Not a huge sum, but a) I’m led to believe that potential add-ons will take it closer to Â£10m, and b) does it really matter? It’s not like we particularly need the money. What’s more, if we’d recieved Â£15m, we would have had to spend Â£10m on another defender anyway. As it is, we got that defender as part of the deal: William Gallas.

This is where the pendulum swings in our favour. Gallas is arguably one of world’s top central defenders. The second he walks into our club he becomes one of our best players. A partnership between him and Kolo Toure would be terrifyingly hard to beat. Not only that, but he can play left-back, centre-back, and right-back. For the first time in years, we have genuine options at the back. Imagine this previously dreaded scenario: Kolo Toure goes off to the African Nations, and we’re forced to play… Gallas and Senderos. Not bad, eh?

Finally, speak to any Chelsea fan and they’ll tell you that as pleased as they are about signing Cole, they’re gutted about losing Gallas. Most Arsenal fans wanted Cole gone; they didn’t care where. But Chelsea fans were terrified of losing Gallas. At the end of last season my Chelsea brother told me that losing Gallas would be “as bad as Arsenal losing Henry”.

Therein lies victory, my friends.

If you disagree with me, read what Tony Cascarino thinks. He probably knows better.

It’s been announced that Gallas will wear Ashley Cole’s number 3 (poignant), and Julio Baptista number 9. Arsene’s words on Cole’s departure show just how much class le gaffeur has:

“Upon Ashleyâ€™s departure I would like to thank him on behalf of the team and everyone connected with the Club for his contribution to our success over recent years, Ashley has always played with his heart for Arsenal. I remember giving him his debut nearly seven years ago and he grabbed the opportunity. He had a strong desire to succeed and ultimately it was that determination that sees him leave this Club.”

Kind words for a player who really mucked us around. To be honest, I couldn’t really care less what happens to Cole from now on. In my eyes, his career will always have ended yesterday.

William Gallas at least seems pretty pleased about the whole playing-for-Arsenal thing. He spoke about the reward of a new challenge, and playing with his friend Henry, before embarking on a rather emotional speech:

“At 29, I want to continue to progress, and who better to help me achieve this goal than ArsÃ¨ne Wenger? I am in a hurry already to work under his orders, to learn from him. I want to bring my experience to the young Champions League Finalists, to know new thrills on a bright new stage, supported by the best fans in England. Of course to leaving Chelsea doesn’t happen without a tug on the heartstrings. But I needed a new challenge, to break the routine, to expand my horizons. From now on I will evolve in Red-and-White. From now on, I will carry high the colors of Arsenal.”

Rather literary, I thought. On Baptista, Arsene says he will play him “up front, or as a hanging offensive midfielder”. The Beast in question has stated that he wants to win a trophy this season. Don’t we all, Julio…

Lastly, Baptista isn’t the only new Brazilian at the Emirates, as Arsenal yesterday finally confirmed the Â£3.4m signing of teenage midfielder Denilson, pictured here on the right. Looks a bit lightweight: we’ll have to get him on the (alleged) creatine pie. One for the future, perhaps?

God it’s been a busy couple of days. But a good couple of days. I need a break.

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29 Comments Add your own

1. Jamie Pullman | September 2nd, 2006 at 8:02 am

Nice article. I’m really excited about Baptista. Gallas is great, but I reckon The Beast will be perfect for our midfield/attack. He should be wearing 666 not 9.
2. irons in the fire !!!! | September 2nd, 2006 at 8:09 am

The mighty and all conquoring West Ham got the best deal of course !! you and the plastics just swapped a couple of money grabbing egotistical tossers + a couple of quid, this was the year that you guys were supposed to buy big after the completion of the new stadium, I cant see you getting a champions league spot this year, as hammer fan I respect good football and the gooners certainly play good football, but Wenger has let us all down as it is likely that if you fail totenscum hotturds will take your place and that is NOT A GOOD THING !!!!!
3. RR | September 2nd, 2006 at 8:21 am

It’s a difficult question. As a Chelsea fan I would rather have a fit and keen Gallas than Ashley Cole BUT that ceased to be possible when the Chelsea suits failed to give him parity last year and he got annoyed and then greedy (You know I presume that Arsenal will be paying him more a week than we are paying Joe Cole and will be paying Ashley Cole. And more than Carvalho and Bridge put together)

Gallas is a great defender and along with Toure will be formidable for you - fortunately our forwards are now as good as yours and our midfield and goalie are better.

I spent too many years watching your lot beat us - despite the fact we had a better defence that shackled Henry, you had (With Viera) a better midield and won the games.

I still think we’ll get 3 in a row - but it will be bloody close this year. I must admit I will also really enjoy it when Gallas starts to sulk at left back when senderos is ft again
4. bombay arsenal connection | September 2nd, 2006 at 9:35 am

great article, really enjoyed reading it. wenger will cement toure and gallas as his main central defensive pairing, with senderos getting his share of games post injury as we will be competing on three fronts. as for LB, cliche hoyte flammini and the odd cameo for traore will take care of that position. i hope that gilberto has a good season in defensive midfield, with a solid back four, it takes the pressure off the midfield. i know its very early days, but i dont think henry will touch his goals mark of last season or the one before, so we definitely need about 10 to 15 goals from another one of our forwards, and as much as i like adebayor and RVP, i dont think they are going to hit those numbers. Therefore, the Beasts’ contribution becomes crucial. All in all, we will have a better season than last year in England. I am hoping that come March 2007, we are still in the running for the championship. One last word, for me the real star at Arsenal is Wenger. There is no manager in the world like him.
5. scuderia | September 2nd, 2006 at 9:46 am

boo hoo hoo
the mighty west ham??? wtf? west ham have always been a whoring/prostituting club just look at all the players you sold
j.cole, ferdinand, terry, lampard, johnson etc
then now, you’ve simply become a stepping stone for two argentines that will eventually move on to bigger clubs for a fee that your club will not get to spend!!! whats there to be proud about? your lousy feeder club is being pimped, AGAIN! so get back in your cage

as far as totnum is concerned, they dont stand a chance. even jol admitted that he’d be happy with a 6th place finish. dont forget the lousy scum only played 40 games last season and their in the Uefa cup this season and that is sure to dismantle them

now back to the original topic. baptista and gallas are exactly what we needed. a bigger physical presence should signal the end of us being tossed around like lightweights by bolton and blackburn. arsenal benefited more from the transfer than chelsea. galllas lead france to the final of the world cup whereas poor old cashley made a very insignificant contribution to us getting to the champions league final. in clichy we have a ready replacement for cashley albeit a little raw but with more potential.

with gallas we can now genuinely challenge for honours whereas if cole stayed, it would probably have been fruitless season

up the arsenal!!!!
6. Smeghammer | September 2nd, 2006 at 9:50 am

I always thought last year that Baptista wanted to stay in Spain so as to obtain a Spanish passport?, my only concern with this deal is how much we will get to see of RVP as I was expecting great things of him this season.
I know think with the new additions to the squad, we have a great balance and more importantly a lot more options. The only problem I have now is that I have to wait until next week to watch the Beast being unleashed.
7. Arsehole | September 2nd, 2006 at 9:55 am

I am excited about the prospect of Gallas and Baptista playing for their 1st match at Middlesbrough… yipee!
8. Alex Fergusson | September 2nd, 2006 at 10:06 am

Your analysis of the Cole/Gallas deal is good.We should not forget the psychological impact the swap has on both teams.Arsenal is at the advantage by taking Gallas from them while Jose’ is still fighting to keep him in their vendetta!
9. tazwoz | September 2nd, 2006 at 10:17 am

Glad to see the back of Cashley and Jose, both made it blatently obvious they no longer wanted to wear the red and white. Be interesting to see if Cashley is as affective as an attacking left-back in the much publicised negative approach of Chelski, remains to be seen…. anyone remember the figure of Anelka sat sulking on Real Madrids bench??? Think we might see a similar figure soon with Jose, who knows??? Interested with Baptista, AW has wanted him for sometime and usually can produce something from a player that wasn’t seen before and he obviously has high hopes for “the beast”…. Gallas brings versatility to our defense, a) competition with big phil and kolo at centre back, don’t think we’ll see much of him at right back with Eboue and Lauren to return, left back… definately not sure about Hoyte yet, Clichy good prospect, still has something to prove though, Flamini did fantastically there last year but has stated that his preferred position is midfield so don’t think he be ecstatic at being put there all the time, Armand Traore really impressed me in pre-season, really quick as well so think he has a big future ahead. Fingers crossed that they both turn out to be succeses and bring success to the team. wouldn’t be surprised to see Fran Merida break into the squad in the too distant future either.

c’mon Arsenal !!
10. Rohan | September 2nd, 2006 at 10:20 am

Just unleash the Beast on Gary Neville when Old Trafford comes.
11. marc | September 2nd, 2006 at 10:26 am

AW’s comment that it was Cole’s determination that forced through the move to cfc is generous praise; has Mouriniho any words on Gallas? IMO cfc got a good deal: financially(as if they care) & teamwise. Given that Cole had to go I’d have preferred a bit more cash & somewhere I read that this 5mil could rise to 10mil…anyone enlighten me on this? But, overall I’m pretty disappointed to lose such a young, dynamic player (oh yeah, & English). The whole saga stank. Lets hope Cole slides into a celeb hell hole while Gallas becomes….happy.
12. Sneaky Wenger « the&hellip | September 2nd, 2006 at 10:58 am

[...] Two of our new signings have spoken to the press after their moves, Baptista has said that he’s come here to bring the title back to Highbury and Gallas has been talking about his relief to have finally left Chelsea. Apparently the Russians aren’t very happy with the deal and Mourinho is said to be fuming! Apparently Kenyon was under strict instructions from Jose not to give Arsenal Gallas and he did. It now leaves Chelsea with 3 centre backs and Gallas was probably the best defensively of them. Also there’s talk about whether Chelsea actually needed a left back with Bridge on excellent form and then Gallas a strong back up option. It seems we got the best deal out of the two club but visit Gunnerblog for more on this. [...]
13. Wright 88 | September 2nd, 2006 at 11:11 am

Some thing on Denilson is that at that age the captain is the best one of the team,so i`m sure he is good…….
14. Wright 88 | September 2nd, 2006 at 11:13 am

I heard Bendtner score again for Denmark against Portugal 4-2
15. gunner4lyf | September 2nd, 2006 at 11:32 am

hey gooners out dere,cims its gonna be one of those memorable seasons of ours with our latest buys.cant wait 2 c dee excellent partnership kolo tee wud form form with willie dee gall,big phil afta a wonderful world cup as back up.we obviously got dee beta deal getting a versatile defender chelski didnt wanna lose,we surely wanted 2 get rid of cuntley cunt afta dart fucked meeting.cant wait 2 take on middlesbrough.
come on u goooooonnnneeerrrrsssss!!!!
16. Big Gooner | September 2nd, 2006 at 11:39 am

Gallas is exactly the player we need. He is experienced in the premiership and he will have, most importantly presence. He and Toure will be a major voice in defence and, unlike our vice captain, will be able to constantly lead by example. This buy does almost bring us back to the Arsenal of old. Gallas is the perfect replacement for Sol Campbell and he is also French.

I know many think that this French congingent in the Arsenal team is a bad thing, but for Gallas, it will mean that automatically he will be able to come in and have a major presence, as he can join in in the French dressing room conversations.

Baptista will be a great buy, and hopefully he and Rosicky can build up a rivalry for goals, and maybe we might see the best of Freddie again. If Baptista’s goal scoring can make Rosicky take shots then we are going to have another dimension.

As for van Persie, I think he will play on the right in a slightly more advanced position than Helb, and he would take the place of Helb.

We now have lots of options in how we can play, we can play our passing game, or we can paly crossing from the wings with Wallcott and we could also play the power game with Baptista, and the long shots with Rosicky and ‘The Beast’.

Did we get Sho Ito or whatever he was called??????
17. Liam | September 2nd, 2006 at 11:43 am

Did you know that Henry and Gallas were born on the same day.
18. gunner8 | September 2nd, 2006 at 12:31 pm

@Irons in the Fire… …you will be Chavscums farm team, you will see! RA owns part of the company looking to purchase WHU, he will use WHU to get players like Tevez, to get used to the England game and then swipe them. The only thing will be if the FA and UEFA/FIFA can go through the paper shredders and find documentation as one man can not own two competing teams. Although the ruskie sponsored that Moscow team that convireniently lost to Chavscum (easy 6 points every year)

RR Gallas will only play left back until Clichy is fit and then will be 1st Choice w/toure
19. Tendo Tommy(Uganda) | September 2nd, 2006 at 1:41 pm

I think it was 50/50 in the financial and potentiality aspect of the deal.

Well looking at what the deals can produce on the pitch, Gallas made Terry look a wounded Lioness. Cava makes him seem just a good defender. Don’t forget his pair with Ferdinand in the English national team has failed to live up to the expectations. Kolo has a reputation of working the best out of any defender paired with him. Gallas is very volatile. A character that was missing in Arsenal’s defence.

Chelsea will have Cole, Terry, Cava, Farreira. Makalele’s age towel is wearing out. Expect Chelsea to concead more goals this season. Arsenal to concead less this season. The deal c’d well have a big impact on the table at the end of the season. I bet you all

We can now look forward to seeing a meaner Arsenal defence with senderos, Kolo, Eboue and Gallas all making the backline. How about that?
20. Tendo Tommy(Uganda) | September 2nd, 2006 at 1:44 pm

I think it was 50/50 in the financial and potentiality aspect of the deal.

Well looking at what the deals can produce on the pitch, Gallas made Terry look a wounded Loiness. Cava makes him seem just a good defender. Don’t forget his pair with Ferdinand in the English national team has failed to live up to the expectations. Kolo has a reputation of working the best out of any defender paired with him. Gallas is very volatile. A character that was missing in Arsenal’s defence.

Chelsea will have Cole, Terry, Cava, Farreira. Makalele’s age towel is wearing out. Expect Chelsea to concead more goals this season. Arsenal to concead less this season. The deal c’d well have a big impact in the table at the end of the season. I bet you all

We can now look forward to seeing a meaner Arsenal defence with senderos, Kolo, Eboue and Gallas all making the backline. How about that?
21. gunner8 | September 2nd, 2006 at 2:04 pm

I might be crazy and don’t think it will happen but have any of you considered;

AW switching to a 3-5-2, stranger things have happened, AW was a stickler for the 4-4-2 until last yearand don’t give me the bollocks of players can’t change… …the Arse play TOTAL football and all the players can adapt anywhere.

Look at this team (back-up in bracketts), obviously if everyone is healthy

GK Lehmann (Almunia)
RCB Toure (Djourou)
CB Gallas (Djourou)
LCB Senderos (Djourou)
RWB Eboue (Lauren)
DM Gilberto (Diaby)
LWB Clichy (Traore)
AM Fabregas (Hleb)
AM Rosicky (Ljungberg)
CF Baptista (Adebayor)
S Henry (vanPersie)

and fit Walcott in somewhere
22. Al | September 3rd, 2006 at 9:25 am

Nice article.

I have to say i think Chelsea got the better deal- simply because Arsenal could have got Â£20mil for cole And I think because of his age Chelsea would have got no more than 10 mil for Gallas. But as you said good riddance.

It’s a pitty I’d always liked Ashley Cole until all of this started.
23. Chung (Fr.HK) | September 3rd, 2006 at 10:13 am

Put Kolo Toure as DM? We’ve got Gallas & Phillip (sub by Djourou) in the back. So I though Toure is a best one to be a DM while Gilberto off and Diaby not yet return.
24. GilbertoSilver | September 4th, 2006 at 11:09 am

Will this work?
25. GilbertoSilver | September 4th, 2006 at 11:25 am

Ok gang, I think we’re very nearly “back”.
26. ruralgoon | September 4th, 2006 at 1:23 pm

scuse me gunner8 but i think ul find i already said that in a previous blog!!!
27. Liam | September 4th, 2006 at 4:10 pm

Chelsea will be much stronger with Cole instead of Bridge or Gallas at
left back.
Gallas was Chelsea,s best defender but was wasted at left back.
Let,s not kid ourself,s with Cole and Robben as a partnership on the
left Chelsea must be stronger.
28. Gunnerblog »&hellip | September 4th, 2006 at 10:07 pm

[...] Who got the best deal: Arsenal or Chelsea? [...]
29. Gibber | July 4th, 2007 at 11:17 am

Well, looking back - Cole has been shite, Gallas injured, Baptista complete shite.

So all in all the whole lot was a complete anti-climax and Cole has been an expensive flop!!

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