Gunnerblog

Would you pay â?¬15m for a player you could’ve signed for free two years ago?

226 comments May 30th, 2006

According to this Greek report, that’s exactly what Arsene Wenger intends on doing.  Yaya Toure, brother of our very own Kolo, had a couple of trial spells with us back in his Beveren days, but despite serious hype from his brother, Arsene chose to let the younger Toure sign for FC Metalurh Donetsk.  He stayed there for two years, and now plies his trade with Olympiakos.

I saw a teenage Yaya pull on an Arsenal shirt against Barnet in a pre-season friendly, and the only thing I really remember about him is his physical presence.  He is a big lad, and in the absence of Diaby would certainly provide some steel.

But â?¬15m?  That’s about £10m – an awful lot for a player who only cost the Greek side â?¬1.2m, especially considering we could’ve pinched him from Beveren in the same manner we acquired Emmanuel Eboue.

It does strike me as odd that we might be pursuing a player we chose not to offer a deal so recently.  However, one argument is that he would not have qualified for a work permit at that point, and we have simply been biding our time until now.

At any rate, with the links to Senna and Toure it seems irons might be in proverbial fires as far as central midfield goes, which is pleasing.  And it gives Arsenal fans another player to keep an eye on in the World Cup, along with two youngsters who deserve serious congratulations: Philippe Senderos, Switzerland’s Player of the Year; and Theo Walcott, who tonight became England’s youngest ever player.

Despite his fantastic pace, Theo still looks very raw, and I think when one considers how often England look for a long ball, I don’t think we’ll see the best of Walcott until next season.  Still, the experience can only be good for him.

And it is quite funny that he kept Spurs’ Jermaine Defoe out of the squad.

Sanli Tuncay for Arsenal?

15 comments May 30th, 2006

The Turkish press is rife with reports that Arsenal and Inter Milan are chasing Fenerbahçe winger, Sanli Tuncay.

The 24-year-old, who can operate as a forward or on either flank, was famously earmarked by Wenger as a star of the future when he terrorised France back in the Confederations Cup. It is also worth noting that Fenerbahçe are one of the clubs who have expressed an interest in Sol Campbell – a useful bargaining tool in any negotiations.

However, it is strange that we’re being linked with the likes of Tuncay and Ribery when what we dearly need is a centre-half and a central-midfielder. That simple fact makes the signing of either of those two somewhat unlikely. However, watch this video and you’ll immediately understand why we’re after Tuncay. One to keep an eye on.

The aforemention Campbell didn’t really endear himself to Arsenal fans over the weekend, coming across as astonishingly self-centred:

“Itâ??s such a shame we didnâ??t win it, because we had a great chance, but it was very good for me, personally. The Champions League is a big competition â?? obviously people are going to see it all over the world, and just being part of it gives you confidence. I felt really good, top-class again.“

Well, we’re glad it was a good defeat for you and England, Sol. I used to be the man’s biggest fan, but he’s really taken his eye off the ball as far as his club is concerned.

Finally, we have at least been linked with one defensive midfielder: Marcos Senna of Villareal. He’s a solid, hardworking, Brazilian-born Spanish international player who would do a decent job as a third-choice behind Cesc and Gilberto.

Well, at least we didn’t have to talk about 24-hour restaurants again…