Wiltord to stay?

[Coach_McGuirk]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/3410305.stm

Looks as if "Le Boss" is working overtime to keep Wiltord in London and that Sylvain is receptive to it. Basically the only sticking point is the length of his new deal, with Arsenal offering 2 years and SW wanting 4.

It's not a very popular position to take, but I truly hope this gets worked out. Wiltord is pretty darn valuable, especially given our current situation.

Also, for those of you wondering about Viduka from Leeds: apparently Leeds do not technically own him, rather he was leased by a player leasing agency (who knew there even was such a thing) and Leeds still owe them 7 million pounds, so any transfer fee would have to cover that. Makes no sense for Leeds to outright sell him unless they'll make some money off the deal.

[phishy]

COACH??? you are actually saying you want us to keep monsieur wiltord?? good riddance to the man, he was serviceable at best and I dont even need to mention he's always offside or botching his first touches.. am i opposed to him leaving on a free?? i cant say it would bother me too much, lets move on, i've seen enough~~

was that harsh? lol

phishy~

[michaec]

Coach, are you trying to upset me?

[Coach_McGuirk]

OK, now I'm agitating the Arsenal supporters??????

Seriously, guys, here's my rationale: Wiltord, with all his faults, seems to be on the good end of important goals, he doesn't cost us anything as cover (as opposed to anyone else we would have to buy), and he already has a good relationship with the club. Maybe in the next year or two Arsene can finally convince him that wing is where he was meant to play, as well.

Hey, I'll admit to being a Wiltord apologist, mostly because of the absurdly HUGE goals he scores every 12 months or so.

Also, think about this: Wenger spends nothing this season, and he is already on record as saying his 10 million will be 20 million this summer. Anyone think we could get a Dutch "wunderkind" for about 20 million pounds? In the current market, the answer is "we'll be in the hunt", which we wouldn't be with just 10 million pounds to spend.

[phishy]

coach,

we are sooooooooo skint... im sure everyone would love to have young VAN DER VAART in the next transfer window, but there is NO way we can compete financially with the real madrids', the juventus', the inter's of the world.. maybe AW has his eyes on some chap from ghana or something that he can get for under a million quid~

[dwinkler]

Whew, it's about time this got sorted out. Since Dennis has gone back to his old ways (2 measly goals in 19 games) and Kanu's going to be missing, I, for one, will be glad to have a reliable goal scorer back in the lineup. His four goals this season is more than any other striker besides Henry; his 15/season over the last 3 years is second on the team.

Welcome back, Sylvain!

[naggi]

I'm not a fan of Wiltord, but of all of the remaining strikers (Kanu, Bergie, Jeremie), he has the best chance to make an impact for us this season. His goals have made a big difference in the past and can do so again this year.

So, Sylvain, welcome back and work your heart out! Let's see you win back the critics like you did at OT in May'02 and February'03.

[Nate2L]

After reading the Saha and Anelka threads on this board and now this article I'd welcome Wiltord back. As I sit here and remember the begining of the season I remember a Wiltord who would put the ball in the back of the net on what seemed to be a regular basis. I checked my memory with facts though and he only netted three but these three goals were in just the 9 matches he has appeared in. That is more than Bergkamp's 2 goals in 16 matches. Also Kanu has only had 1 goal in 9 matches but most of his apperances came as a sub. To throw out one last fact on our strikers, Aliadiere has had 7 apperances and no goals. Out of all the strikers besides Henry look who is the most succesful. While this is not a insult to any of the others, I like them all too. I am just pointing out the fact that Wiltord is a nessaccary part of this team this season. His dedication is what makes me welcome him back the most though. He has struggled through injury all season and we have helped and in return he wants to stay. Yes four years is a long time he will be 33 then but I say sign him with a contract dependent on his succes for us in the last two years of the four years. He wants to be here and has not spoken foul of the club, lets keep him.