Campbell & Galindo signings confirmed
Add comment January 16th, 2010
Sol Campbell is once again an Arsenal player. The 35-year old year old becomes the oldest Arsene Wenger signing I can remember and will wear the number 31 (also worn by such luminaries as Justin Hoyte) until the end of the season.
According to Arsenal.com, Campbell is the first player under Arsène Wenger to rejoin Arsenal, and only the fifth player in the Club’s history to re-sign for the Gunners. The four other players were: John Lukic (1983-1990 & 1996-2001); Martin Keown (1982-1986 & 1993-2004); Jock Rutherford (1913-1923 & 1925-1926) and Hugh McDonald (three spells – 1906; 1908-1910 & 1912-1913).
Arsene says:
“We are delighted to have signed Sol Campbell until the end of the season. For both club and country, Sol’s career just speaks for itself. He is a hugely experienced and intelligent footballer, who will bring a great amount of quality and knowledge to our squad. Sol as a player and a person will be an enormous asset to us.
Sol has been training with us since September and during this time he has shown he still has the required fitness, hunger and passion to compete at the top level.”
I think it’s that last sentence that’s most important. Arsene believes he can still compete at the very highest level. The FA Cup fourth round tie at Stoke might be our first opportunity to see that put to the test.
A few days ago I brought you the full story on Samuel Galindo, and Arsene has since confirmed the teenager will sign and go out on loan, probably to Spain. Judging by the Carlos Vela timeline, we won’t see Galindo for two years or so, so best of luck to him and let’s hope he turns out well!
Enough of the ins, now for the outs. Arsene has admitted that Philippe Senderos is free to leave the club, and with a World Cup on the horizon you’d expect the Swiss international to take that opportunity and go. Kerrea Gilbert and Mark Randall have gone out on loan to Peterbrough and MK Dons respectively. Of those, I think Randall is far more likely to come back.
Tomorrow we face Bolton in Owen Coyle’s first game in charge at the Reebok. With the news that Aaron Ramsey and Denilson are out, we’re looking very light in midfield.
It is no coincidence that our switch to a 4-3-3 formation and the remarkable form of Alex Song have occurred simultaneously. Not only does the position at the base of our central trio suit him, but he has also stepped up to become a pivotal part of the side, as the formation dictates.
In his absence this month, Denilson was lined up to deputise. Whilst lacking Song’s physical power and skill on the ball, he has a good attitude and plenty of energy – the sorts of qualities that see Darren Fletcher lauded as one of the country’s best midfielders, but which seem to go unnoticed in foreign players.
However, without both the Brazilian and Ramsey (who started in the holding role in the game away to Wolves), we lack a natural occupant for the defensive midfield position. The nod will go to one of Fabregas, Diaby or Nasri.
The obvious answer is Diaby because of his physical presence, though his natural inclination to drive forward might count against him. It would be unwise to rob ourselves of Cesc’s goal threat, whilst Nasri’s time as a holding midfielder was derided as a waste by many fans. Hopefully Arsene will have a convincing answer at 4pm tomorrow.
Before I go, one more thing: Emmanuel Eboue has mental problems (2:08 in this video).
