Archive for September 2nd, 2006

Who got the best deal: Arsenal or Chelsea?

33 comments 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 £5m out of them. Not a huge sum, but a) I’m led to believe that potential add-ons will take it closer to £10m, and b) does it really matter? It’s not like we particularly need the money. What’s more, if we’d recieved £15m, we would have had to spend £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 Ashley’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 Arsène 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 £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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