After planetfootball reported that Arsenal are "closing in" on a 19 year-old Czech striker, the Guardian today reports that Arsene will snatch up Freddie Kanoute after West Ham wave goodbye to the Premiership. http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,946220,00.html The price is 4m. The article points out that it could spell end times for Dennis and Kanu. Kanoute would be a fine replacement for Kanu. Anyone else realize the Nigerian makes 50,000 pounds a week? Kanoute has plenty of ego but surely not enough to ask for that kind of salary.
I think they should cool off on the Frenchmen too. Nothing against the French, but if the team is playing well, then more of them are likely to be selected. I think it's better to have a mix so that all of your internationals will not necessarily all be called away at the same time. On the other hand, if Arsenal are giving the French squad a bunch of players, maybe it will be easier for them to have some excused. I wouldn't mind seeing Kanute here, unless that Papadopulos kid they are apparently going after is ready for first team football.
I couldn't care less if he's from France, Outer Mongolia or the moon. The fact is he's not a defender, which is what we need right now. We have enough strikers, defenders and a goalkeeper must surely be the priority this summer.
I would tend to agree. Cygan has been a liability all season and I think we need someone new. Pitty Newcastle got Woodgate, I think he would have been a good buy.
I'm not sure about the general feeling of all the West Ham fans, other than they hate Arsenal for their efforts against Bolton and Leeds, and Bergkamp and Pires are cheating Bowyers, but other than the last few games Kanoute has shown the heart of a small rodent. that said, the last three games he has played much better. It might be he is trying to impress for a move, or Sir Trevor Brooking has him motivated to play.
I couldn't agree more. Centre-back has to be a primary concern. Cygan didn't play a solid match until the end of the season, then got hurt. Keown was decent, but also oft-injured. Sol was excellent, but injury and the suspension sabotaged his season. If they don't get a solid CB, then it's not a successful offseason. As far as more strikers go, all's I have to say is Arsenal doesn't need more creativity. They have some of the most creative players on the planet, which results in some fantastic goals, but also a lot of frustration, as they keep trying to net that perfect strike. What they really need is a player who will simply go straight to the net. Freddie does it sometimes, as does Vieira, but most of the time, especially this season, players are too busy trying to set things up from the wings. I think Jeffers could help in that area some as he develops, but it won't help him if we keep bringing in these talented yet inconsistent strikers who think they get a bonus for style.