Archive for June, 2008

Weekly Round-Up: Aaron Ramsey signs from Cardiff for £5m

1 comment June 15th, 2008

Ramsey with his brand new Arsenal shirt

Arsenal have completed our first signing of what could be a very active Summer: Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey. Usually, the signing of a seventeen year-old midfielder would go unheralded, but this is a player who will undoubtedly be part of the first-team squad next season, figuring in the Carling Cup and (progress depending) maybe even other competitions.

Arsene, as ever, is impressed by the players versatility:

“We’re delighted to have signed Aaron Ramsey. He is a young player who has shown huge potential with his performances for both Cardiff City and Wales at under-17 and Under-21 levels. He is still only 17, but has already shown that he is a very intelligent and mature player with great quality. Although he mainly plays in midfield, Aaron is a versatile player and can also play across the defence. We are all looking forward to welcoming Aaron to the Club for our pre-season preparations.”

Whatever Arsene says, Ramsey looks to me like a midfield player, and the views of this Welsh journalist seem to back that up. Maybe after you watch this video, you can make up your own minds:

Ramsey himself said of the move:

“I’m so happy to have signed for Arsenal. I am joining one of the biggest clubs in the world and can’t wait to meet my new team mates. I recently met with Arsène Wenger and he was a big factor in my decision to join Arsenal. He talked to me for a long time about the Club and the plans for the future, which really excites me. Arsenal is a Club which always gives young players an opportunity at the highest level of the game and I am going to work my hardest to be part of future successes here.”

This transfer is made all the sweeter by the fact that Ramsey turned down United to sign for us. We really have the reputation and charm of Arsene Wenger to thank for landing one of the biggest prospects in Britain.

The other news this week has been about players potentially leaving. I have no idea what is happening with Emmanuel Adebayor. My guess is that, with contract negotiations with Arsenal due to open any day now, his agent is not doing much to deflect interest from Milan as it only increases Ade’s chance of a pay-rise. The latest is that Milan say he is too expensive, and with a reputed €32m price-tag, I probably agree with them.

I think that whether or not a new deal is in the offing, Adebayor will stay. He knows Arsenal he still has things to prove at Arsenal, whilst Arsene cannot afford to lose his top striker on the back of a 30-goal season.

The Aleksandr Hleb situation, meanwhile, is perhaps even more confusing. His agent seems to be dropping the name of Barcelona as frequently as possible, but unusually for a Spanish club who conduct their business so often in public, we haven’t heard much from Barca themselves. His agent is attempting to play Cupid, and do that thing where you make people fall for each other by talking about the possibility that they get together to set the idea rolling in their mind. Sadly, I’m not sure romantic psychology and football transfers work on quite the same principles. Jose Mourinho, Inter Milan’s new coach, has already made clear his immunity and withdrawn from the running.

Tomorrow is a) my birthday, and b) the day the Premier League fixtures are announced. Not bad, eh?

There’ll be a Euro 2008 update tomorrow too.

Ramsey hoping to follow in Cesc’s foot-steps

2 comments June 11th, 2008

One of the brightest prospects in British football, Aaron Ramsey, has rejected Manchester United in favour of Arsenal. It’s not hard to understand why – with Fergie on holiday, United attempted to use Gary Neville to woo the Welsh midfielder – the idea of Neville wooing anything is unutterably disturbing. Meanwhile, Arsenal flew Ramsey and his family out to Switzerland to meet Arsene, where the promise of first-team football in the not-too-distant future seemed to do the trick. Ramsey will sign for £5m in the next week or two. And this presumptious story will be forever hilarious. We really are far too classy an outfit to do anything as stupid as that.

Ramsey will be desperate to follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas by establishing himself in Arsenal’s midfield before his teenage years are out. Fabregas himself was in action for Spain last night, scoring in their 4-1 win over Russia after replacing Fernando Torres shortly after half-time:

Cesc also created the goal that gave David Villa his hatrick – full highlights here – and Fabregas can’t be the only Arsenal fan who’d like to see the striker in an Arsenal shirt next season.

Good luck to Philippe Senderos, who needs a result with Switzerland against Turkey tomorrow. Tata for now.

EuroWatch Continues – who was that Dutch number 7?

38 comments June 10th, 2008

Yesterday was the third day of Euro 2008, and produced the game of the tournament thus far – Italy’s starry clash with Holland more than lived up to its billing, with the Dutch running out 3-0 winners after a fantastic counter-attacking display. Former Arsenal man Gio van Bronkhurst was at the heart of it, setting up one and scoring another, and generally playing better than he ever did for us.

Who is this man???With twenty minutes to go, a familiar face came on for Holland. The guy appeared to be a left-footed striker with skill on the ball and a ferocious shot.

It was one of those unerring cases where you recognise someone but don’t know where from. A bit like when I saw Ken Livingstone on the tube last week. I wanted to go up to him because I felt that I knew him, but it wasn’t until later that day I realised just who it had been.

Can anybody identify this striker? Answers on a postcard, please.

William Gallas played for France in their 0-0 draw with Romania. I’m posting any highlights – Alan Hansen described it as the worst match he’d ever witnessed, and considering he played for both Liverpool and Scotland, that’s some statement.

Although he’s not active in the Euros, Carlos Vela has been in International action, scoring his second goal for Mexico in their 4-0 win over Peru – highlights here – Vela is wearing the number 11. It’s exciting to think that without spending any money, we already have a South American striker to add to our ranks for next season.

Alex Song has been rewarded for his improved form with a new contract at Arsenal. That’s excellent news, but we still require additions in both Song’s positions: centre-half and centre-midfield. Although Song is starting to show promise, he’s not yet ready to start regularly.

Finally, good luck to Gary Lewin, who is leaving Arsenal after nearly 30 years to take up a vastly better-paid full-time position with England. Thanks for some outstanding service down the years, Gary.

The Week In Links + Euro 2008 Scouting begins

Add comment June 8th, 2008

First off, let me apologise for my absence this in the latter part of this week. I doubt anyone’s been as snowed under as me since this bloke, but fortunately not a vast amount has happened. I last spoke to you on Wednesday – here’s a quick run-down of what’s happened since then:

Thursday:

Official images of our new home shirt were leaked. I happen to like it – it’s very reminiscent of our kit for 98/99 and 99/00 – for a reminder of that shirt, check out The Cannon’s oustanding kits page.

The club confirmed that Bacary Sagna had extended his contract, which is nothing but good news.

Freddie Ljungberg retracted his critical comments about Arsene Wenger, claiming they were entirely fictional. I have to say that’s pleasing – Freddie ought to be remembered fondly, considering all he achieved at the club.

Finally, Sky Sports linked us with a move for Udinese’s extremely highly-rated centre-back, Cristian Zapta. The Colombian really does fit the bill – a 6’2″ powerhouse, he already captain’s Udinese despite being just 21 years old. A move for him would make me very happy indeed.

Friday:

This saw the “Adebayor to Milan” story reach it’s terminal velocity, with The Telegraph stating that Arsenal were bracing themselves for a £32m bid. But by…

Saturday:

…The very same paper were reporting a fierce rebuttal, both from Arsene Wenger and Adebayor himself. Le Boss said:

“If AC Milan are interested, they just have to call me and they’ll get the answer they deserve. He’s under firm contract that we extended last year.”

Meanwhile, Ade’s eyes were fixed only on further achievements with Arsenal:

“I’m a striker and I scored 30 goals last season. Next season I want 40.”

Also on Saturday, Cardiff’s Aaron Ramsey met Arsene Wenger for talks in Switzerland.  We should know his decision early next week.

Sunday:

Today, AC Milan have claimed they have been given permission to talk to Didier Drogba, which hopefully signals the end of any interest in Adebayor.

Arseblog reports that the Catalan dailies are hailing the imminent arrival of Aleksandr Hleb. I am hailing with imminent departure with equal glee.

Euro Watch:

The European Championships got underway last night, and I have to say it’s rather nice to watch without having the tortuous experience of watching England seemingly attempt to go out at every possible opportunity.

Philippe Senderos was in action for Switzerland yesterday. Sadly for Big Phil, they lost the game 1-0 to the Czech Republic, and lost their all-time top goalscorer and captain to injury. It’s going to be pretty tough for them to qualify now, so Senderos and Djourou may be back in England earlier than either would have hoped.

One player who really caught my eye was Manchester City’s Gelson Fernandes. Although he is ostensibly a holding midfielder, he frequently breaks forward to support the attack and shows a good range of passing. The key feature of Fernandes’ game is an outstanding work ethic combined with immaculate technique.

Funnily enough, his game is very similar to ex-Arsenal man Lassana Diarra. Whilst I doubt Fernandes could be tempted from cash-laden City after just one year, I reckon Arsene needs to find a midfielder of this ilk sooner rather than later.

Hopefully I’ll be about a bit more next week. Till then.

Contract News: Sagna, Ramsey, Adams, and Lehmann

Add comment June 4th, 2008

Although the club have yet to confirm it, it seems Bacary Sagna’s contract has been extended by two years. To give a player a new deal after just one season is a real compliment, but Sagna’s pay hike is undoubtedly deserved. I think that he is certainly the best in his position in the league, as reflected in the PFA’s decision to name him in the Team of the Year. We missed him desperately when injury enforced his absence at the back end of last season – he will be vital in any success next year.

Maybe not next year, but certainly in the years beyond that, Aaron Ramsey will be a hell of a player. As we speak we are in a three-horse race with United and Everton for the Welsh midfielder’s signature, though it’s believed United are edging ahead as the finishing line approaches. Wenger sees Ramsey as a future star, and once remarked to the boy’s agent that he could not believe he had slipped through the net of the Big Four clubs in his early development. Whilst I don’t think the winner of this title race will go any way towards determining next season’s Champions, it’s always nice to get one over United. For that reason alone, I hope we get Ramsey.

One man we won’t be getting is Tony Adams, who has extended his contract at Portsmouth. I can see still see Adams coming back to the club in a coaching role eventually, but maybe not alongside Arsene.

Finally, good luck to Jens Lehmann, who has agreed a year’s contract with Stuttgart.  I have a funny feeling Jens might be back to his awesome best in this Summer’s European Championships.

Ignore the ramblings of Freddie Ljungberg.  It’s always sad when people lose it.

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