Archive for January, 2010
January 14th, 2010
Sol Campbell is still the major news story as far as Arsenal are concerned. In fact, a look at Arsenal.com and you’d think the deal had already been signed. As it is he’s still only registered as a triallist, but that hasn’t stopped him from talking about wanting to continue his playing career for another three years. I’m not sure how likely that is (especially at Arsenal), but what he can offer us is experience of title run-ins, as well as an influential mentor for the likes of Kyle Bartley. Sol says he wishes he’d never left Arsenal – well he’s back now, and hopefully he’ll make the most of it.
Sol’s arrival, however, seems to spell the end for Philippe Senderos. With the news that Lucas Neill is set to leave Everton for Galatasaray, there will doubtless be speculation linking Senderos with a move to the club who tried to sign him in the summer. The transfer only fell through due to the injury to Johan Djourou, but Campbell’s signature will probably free the Swiss up to move on and seek first-team football ahead of the World Cup.
Another player who might be on his way out the door (if only temporarily) is Jack Wilshere, with Bolton and FC Twente the latest to be linked. If Wilshere is going anywhere it won’t happen until the end of the window, when Arsene is able to assess his squad options in the light of any injuries or transfers.
Many fans will still be hoping the money we’ve saved on a centre-back might be spent on a striker. If we are to buy one in January, it won’t be either Marouane Chamakh or Lacina Traore, who will both be staying with their clubs until the summer: one to maximise his chances of big earnings, the other to maximise his chances of being legally permitted to work in this country.
Till tomorrow.
January 13th, 2010
Gunnerblog is happy to confirm that Arsenal have poached Bolivian 17-year old Samuel Galindo from under the noses of Premier League rivals Everton.
The playmaker, who is captain of his country at both U-17 and U-20 level, was flown to England by Everton for a week’s trial, including a behind-closed-doors game. At the end of the week David Moyes was keen to do a deal, but no precise terms were offered.
In the meantime, Galindo was offered a day’s trial at London Colney. Impressed by the six-foot-plus forward’s technique and physicality, Arsene said he would gladly have the boy back again, but couldn’t possibly make a decision on a transfer on the basis of just one training session.
At this stage, Everton got wind of Arsenal’s interest, and were furious. They issued Galindo and his father, who had travelled with the boy to London, an ultimatum: return to the North-West and sign the deal on offer, or the deal was dead.
Galindo showed incredibly maturity and confidence to ignore Everton’s threat and return for a second day’s training at Colney, in which he took part in a five-a-side game on the same team as the likes of Fabregas and Arshavin – and, by all accounts, didn’t look out of place. Aware of the pressure the boy was under from Everton, and impressed by his obvious talent, Arsene made his interest plain: a deal was on.
Galindo is not yet eligible for a work permit and may well have to travel the same Mediterranean path that brought Carlos Vela to London. However, whilst the final details of the transfer are yet to be ironed out, Arsenal have essentially agreed to purchase yet another talented young star.
It’s been a busy couple of days in the transfer window. Hopefully there’ll be yet more news in the next couple of weeks, perhaps even with the arrival of that all-important striker…
January 13th, 2010
Arsene Wenger loves a fighter.
When Sol Campbell sat down in the changing room after his one and only appearance for Notts County, he looked around the dressing room. He’d been promised he’d be surrounded by the likes of Benjani and Roberto Carlos – seasoned internationals with trophy-winning pedigree. Instead, the man with 73 England caps was sat next to Spurs reject Johnnie Jackson and ex-con Lee Hughes. Surrounded by journeymen and broken promises, Sol’s dream of a phoenix-like rise up the divisions crumbled before his eyes. Disillusioned, Campbell never played for County again. He broke his contract and headed out on what many presumed would be a road to retirement.
But Campbell still had hunger burning inside him (make your own jokes). Like Emmanuel Petit and David Beckham before him, he contacted Arsene Wenger to ask if he could make use of Arsenal’s training facilities at London Colney. Le Boss has never been one to turn down a request for help from a former stalwart, and Campbell was promptly given use of the gym and allowed to train on the pitches alone.
After just one month, Arsene was sufficiently impressed with the defender’s fitness and attitude to invite him to train with the first-team squad. With Johan Djourou a long-term absentee, Arsene obviously saw something in Campbell that made him break with two of his long-held transfer policies: he never usually brings a player back, and he would never usually sign a 35-year old.
Perhaps Campbell produced some exceptional displays in training. But what Sol offers us is more than his on-field capabilities. He offers us experience, and a link to our great Invincibles side. He has worn the Arsenal armband on several occasions, and can now help balance our undoubtedly youthful squad.
But above all, Sol is a fighter. He’s made mistakes both on and off the pitch, he’s struggled with his health and fitness both mentally and physically, but he has always bounced back. He wouldn’t be on the verge of returning to the top level of European football if he hadn’t undergone a significant transformation.
The deal is short-term: I find it hard to imagine that Sol will still be at the Emirates come August. By that time, Johan Djourou will hopefully be fit again, and Arsene will have had a summer to scour for a suitable centre-back. In the meantime, I trust Arsene’s judgement: if he thinks Sol has something to offer, I’m prepared to trust him.
It’s perhaps unsurprising that the news of Sol’s imminent move has seen Philippe Senderos declare his desire to leave the club. With the added of security of Sol’s signature perhaps he’ll finally be allowed to do so.
Sol played 45 minutes as a triallist for the Reserves last night as they beat West Ham 4-2, with Jay Emmanuel Thomas grabbing an impressive hatrick. I’d imagine that he may have another trial game before signing a permanent deal next week, but perhaps the press interest will see the deal speeded up. For Sol’s comments on the move, see here.
In other news, youngster Rhys Murphy has signed a new long-term deal, and this man is still it seems a rather surprising Arsenal fan. Wonder what City fans will make of that.
Yesterday was a bit of a mad day, eh? Whatever you think about Sol, it is one hell of a story. Till tomorrow.
January 12th, 2010
Sol Campbell has confirmed in an interview with ESPN that he will be (re-)signing for Arsenal:
“I am signing for Arsenal until the end of the season. There are still a few technicalities to iron out, but I have signed for Arsenal until the end of the season, and it’s fantastic, great, marvellous.”
In what has to go down as a huge shock and equally big departure from Arsene Wenger’s usual transfer policy, Sol has confirmed that his appearance in the Reserve team tonight is part of a rehabilitation process that will end with him putting pen to a paper on a contract that will mean he is back at the top of European football.
“I shall be playing in the reserves at Upton Park tonight – it must be two years since I last played there. I cannot wait. I cannot tell you how much I’ve missed playing after being out so long since leaving Notts County. I need to get minutes under my belt, a couple of reserve games at least before I can start looking any further ahead. The old enthusiasm is back. I’ve got to tell you it seems as though I have never been away. I’m ecstatic really to be back at Arsenal, and I have worked bloody hard to get there.”
Sol was quick to make clear how important a role Arsene had played in the move, saying:
“Arsene Wenger has been an inspiration. He has watched me closely after letting me train at Arsenal for nearly two months now. He’s not stupid – he wouldn’t have taken me back if he didn’t like what he has seen, and I have worked and worked.
I do believe I can contribute. I really have my confidence and fitness back and believe I can make a big, big contribution. There is fantastic quality all around the pitch within this Arsenal team and I want to be part of it, and will make a big push to try to do that, but it’s little steps at a time. First step is at Upton Park; the next step is more football.
There have been a few clubs, quite a bit of speculation, but going back to Arsenal – well, that is serious, and I am serious about this. I’ve missed it and I’ve a gut feeling this is the right move. It’s no longer a hunger to get back – it’s turned into a craving. I am champing at the bit. I’m fresh, I’m raring to go. It’s unbelievable to be back at Arsenal.”
“Unbelievable” is the right word, Sol. What a story. More comment on this tomorrow.
January 12th, 2010
When Sol Campbell signed for Arsenal on a free transfer in the summer of 2001, it was a surprising and sensational story. If, as rumoured, he has signed for them in the winter of 2010, it is all the more remarkable.
When he first signed, the deal was controversial principally because of the team he was leaving: our bitter rivals, Tottenham Hotspur. On this occasion the controversy is born out of a different context. This is the Sol Campbell who departed Arsenal under a cloud, walking out of a game against West Ham (the team it is rumoured he will face for the Reserves tonight) before returning to score in his final game: the Champions League Final of 2006. He told Arsene he wanted to go abroad so was released from his contract, only to turn up a few months later at Portsmouth. After three successful years captaining the South Coast side, he dropped three divisions to join League Two Notts County, only to abandon ship after just one game.
It is, however, also the Sol Campbell who won four trophies in his five years at the club, including managing to go a whole season unbeaten. He has been training with the squad for some weeks now, and Arsene will have had the chance to run the rule over him at close quarters. Perhaps he feels his experience and winning mentality will add something to the squad. Perhaps he feels he represents a better option at centre-half than the often calamitous Mikael Silvestre. What is certain is that any deal for Campbell would be in the short-term, covering for the injured Johan Djourou.
Perhaps Arsene saw Patrick Vieira sign for Man City and in a fit of pique and jealousy decided that he’d hire his own veteran Invincible. Whatever is going on, the picture will doubtless become clearer in the next few hours.
This could be an awful lot of smoke without much of a fire. All I can do is reconfirm that several sources I trust have said signing Sol is a real possibility. Several sources I’m less confident about insist that deal is now done.
It would be an unprecedented move from Arsene. More comment on this as and when.
—
UPDATE
1725: Sol Campbell will wear the number six shirt for the Reserves tonight against West Ham. He is essentially playing as a triallist, “on a Reserve League registration, with a view to a permanent move back to Arsenal Football Club”.
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