Akinfeev isn’t the goalkeeper I heard we were after
118 comments May 11th, 2010
Yesterday afternoon, this rather strange story emerged suggesting that we pulled out of a January bid to sign CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev at the last minute.
I haven’t seen too much of Akinfeev, and have always been slightly worried that the hype around him was generated partially in light of his attributes on Football Manager rather than any real-world evidence. The following video shows him making a few acrobatic saves:
On that evidence, he looks like a Shay Given-style shot-stopper. He’s the same height as the Irishman, and is clearly athletic. What you can’t ever gain from a highlight-reel like that is how good he is at commanding his box and organising his defence – and they’re the qualities we require more than any others.
I’m prepared to give Sport.co.uk a bit of credit as last summer they correctly predicted the signing of Thomas Vermaelen, but I find this story strange for two reasons: firstly, it’s odd that we’d progress so far only to renege on the deal at the last minute, but secondly and more importantly because Akinfeev isn’t the goalkeeper I heard we enquired after in January. I was told we had discussions about a keeper far closer to home. We’ll see, I suppose. Arsene might infuriate us all and stick with his current collection of quaking clowns.
Anyway, on the subject of Russians, in his latest interview with his official website, Arshavin.eu, little Andrey has jokingly revealed a truth: his form this season has been below-par – and even his wife knows it. Read on:
arshavin.eu: Can you name your best games this season?
AA: Porto was the best.arshavin.eu: Anything else?
AA: I do not know, maybe the away Liverpool game (Laughs).arshavin.eu: What are the laughs about?
AA: Julia has just added: “Yeah, Liverpool –in the last season!â€
Well, someone needs to tell him.
I think Arshavin is outrageously talented and has contributed some great moments this season, but he hasn’t consistently delivered. If, as we hope, it’s just been a case of ‘second season syndrome’, then hopefully next term he’ll show the devastating form he did in his first six months.
Arseblog has an interesting account of an AST meeting with Ivan Gazidis. There’s nothing in there that’s particularly big news, but it does seem that a new contract for Arsene Wenger is regarded as little more than formality. Interesting to note that Gazidis has said it will be done over the summer, thus avoiding the uncertainty that AW’s contract negotiations can sometimes bring about – he has been known not to sign until the turn of the year.
Finally, I’d like to join arseblogger in stating my disappointment at Arsenal.com’s new feature: Transfer Linked. Whilst I suspect it’s a ploy to drive traffic to the official site during the quiet summer months, what it actually does is undermine the credibility and authoritative voice of the .com site, whilst giving yet more exposure to the tabloid hacks who will peddling the “Cesc to Barca” stories all summer. Can we expect those to crop up on the official site too?
Till tomorrow, Gooners.
