Traore Out On Loan But Saviour Song Set To Return
10 comments August 22nd, 2008
I have a sneaking suspicion that Alex Song is currently in our best XI. Depending on whether your glass is half-empty or half-full, that’s either an indicator of his amazing progress, of the state of disrepair into which our squad has fallen.
The reason Song holds such a significant position in our squad is principally by default – after the departure of Flamini and Gilberto, he is the only holding midfield player left in our threadbare squad. Assuming, that is, that the signing of Mikael Silvestre is an indicator that Wenger has abandoned the much-heralded “Alex Song = New Baresi” plan.
After going out of the Olympics at the Quarter-final stage, the Cameroonian is once again available for selection, and could well come straight into the side that will travel to Fulham on Saturday. How long he stays there will be dependent on how swiftly Arsene brings in another midfielder. Interesting to note that Arsene suggests he won’t neccessarily be dissuaded by a potential signing being cup-tied in Europe, which raises the possibility of a move for Gareth Barry or even Xabi Alonso.
Something I forgot to say yesterday is that the arrival of Mikael Silvestre might free up Armand Traore to go out on loan. Well, within 24 hours, the 19-year old Frenchman has signed for Portsmouth on a twelve-month loan.
It’s a good move for Traore, who will compete with Hermann Hreidarsson for a first-team place. Portsmouth have been looking for a left-back since triallist Celestine Babayaro was struck with malaria, and I’m sure that the position he’ll be used in was a major factor in Arsene’s decision to choose the South Coast as Traore’s destination. The ultimate aim of loaning out Traore is that he gains some experience and learns to defend – there was no point sending him to a club who’d play him on the wing.
As it is, he’ll be learning from experienced defensive minds like Sol Campbell and Tony Adams – two men who probably no more about the art of keep clean sheets than anyone currently at Arsenal…
Finally, get well soon Mr. Brady.
