What we need at every position is a solid starter, an useful but cheap veteran and an upncomer. This is especially true of our defensive unit. I personally would have loved to Sylvinho make a comeback along the lines of Sol but that was not going to happen Trarore can go away for all I care. Clichy is not old, we have Gibbs and Cruise. We need an Eboue-like option on the left. I have always liked Drenthe. He would give us something we don't have on the left -- an arttacking LB.
I wouldn't be upset to see him go. We have more pressing needs than LB. Both Clichy and Gibbs are good adequate options for thae position, and we have TV that can play there in a pinch.
by saying we have more pressing needs implies we need the cash from the sale to fund another transfer. We both know thats not the case. Selling Traore is shortsighted thinking. He'll get the same cash next year and we could use some additional back up there. Everyone is suggesting Gibbs will be up to the task, but I'm pretty sure he won't be. Not because of talent but just sheer experience. He's going to make some mistakes that Traore made already this year. I'm just saying, every player has growing pains.
No it doesn't. I wouldn't be upset about selling Traore simply because I don't think he has a real role. He has a more experienced, slightly older player in front of him, and he has another better, younger player in front of him as well. I think he's screwed in the long-run anyway. He can go anytime as far as I am concerned. Plus, he not a defender...so we need to stop pretending that he can play there. I'd bet that Gibbs already has played more games for us than Traore has. When they both were healthy, Gibbs started over Traore. I think we know exactly what we are going to get from Gibbs - someone that's not quite ready to start but is a more than adequate second choice. That works for me.
And you'd be right, but it's close. Gibbs: 25+5 total, 9+2 in the league Traore: 26+3 total. 9+2 in the league Also Gibbs is English, which is important due to UEFA rules (although Traore might qualify as "home grown", i'm not sure.)
Fabregas sold for 40m Plus the 25m per season war chest Plus the 45m on Toure and Ade So we got AT LEAST 110m to spend pal!
All the points you make are valid, I just think its a bit shortsighted to sell a player you've developed since the age of 14 at the point of his career where it'll really be hit or miss. I do agree with you that he doesn't really have a long term place on the squad with the age similarities. I think we're thin back there and most likely we will be again next year if he goes.
We signed Traore shortly before his 17th birthday. Gibbs has been with us since he was 14. Which one did you mean?
He's (Armand Traore) got an interview on ATVO with Rosicky answering questions. One of them, he replies that he's been at Arsenal since a very young age (14 he said IIRC). Stupid me not to double check on an age that the player himself gives lol. Check out the video though, the comment is halfway through the Q & A.
Another young Welsh teenager from Cardiff City. http://younggunsblog.co.uk/2010/03/cardiff-confirm-arsenal-interest-in-defender-matthews/
Traore says he is committed to Arsenal http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-ar...d&utm_campaign=Feed:+arsenal-news+(News+Feed)
Wasnt Traore sent off to Poormouth to learn how to be a winger? Then he comes back to us and we use him as a LB...
im (a little) shocked we havent used him upfront on the left. maybe late on, in that 5-0 route of porto or as a different option in matches. his speed is scary, and i think i remember him playing there for the french u-17 team.
A couple of things: 1. Selling Barazite/Simpson etc, might be a mistake. Remember we are used to our players maturing and playing first team football by 18-19 years old. But many players don't mature that quickly, they don't start hitting their stride until 22-24 years old. 2. Its time for AW to look for VALUE. He is always on the look out for a bargain but at this point we are only 1-3 players away from domination on all fronts. If spending 18 mil on Lloris and another 10-15 on a final piece gets us A CL trophy and an EPL title or 2 over the next 2-3 years that is called value for money.
good point. i think it'll be a difficult transition for wenger to go through but it would really help the squad.
I was actually impressed by him, but I'd rather see us go for Lloris. Isn't Romero the guy that punched a wall and broke his hand? edit: yes he was. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jre6vv_VfYA"]YouTube- AZ keeper Sergio Romero slaat hand kapot[/ame]