http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=266325&cc=5901 Wenger wants to pump up his squad over the summer. He obviously needs a Friedel-like goalkeeper to keep up with Man U. He also needs a solid center back. He can get a sharp, athletic keeper in Tim Howard if he wants (albeit inexperienced), but as for a solid American center back, not sure; don't think we have one quite ready for Wenger's men. Boca might be a good, young back that could play in England right now. In any case, I'm sure Wenger isn't even looking at any American players, considering he is a Francophile and all.
I'm not sure that Bocanegra is good enough to be Arsenal's starting center back. He's not a bad player, but I don't think he's ready to take the competition that Arsenal would face in England or especially in Europe. But either way, I think this thread is getting ahead of itself. Has Arsenal, Man U or any BIG Primer League team ever played an American player on a regular basis? I don't think so. So why would they all of a sudden look to the US to fill holes? Seems unlikely.
Live a little. Imagine Americans playing for Arsenal. Why not? He's not necessarily looking for starters anyway. He's looking for BARGAINS.
If he tries to out bid Manchester United for Howard he will lose. He could try, but I doubt SAF would let it happen.
Isn't Frankie Simek, an American Center Back (or center half in England) starting for the Arsenal Reserve squad?
If Bocanegra wnats to play Center Back for one of the Major European teams then needs to learn how to attack a bit more. You can't be a one-way player when playing for Arsenal, ManU, Real Madrid, etc. Prime example of some of the skills a Center back might want would Christian Chivu at Ajax. Even John O'Brien is a good example from his Left back spot
Re: Re: Wenger's American Recruits? hes worked his wayinto being a part-time starter at center back and has done very well so he could get a first team look next season - i remember seeing wenger saying some nice things about him
Re: Re: Re: Wenger's American Recruits? If he works his way to earnign playing time with Arsenal then at that point, I would instantly demand that Bruce Arena call him up. I don't care what BigSoccer thinks but any American who can earn PT with Arsenal is more than good enough to start for us.
well im not sure if youll think this counts but didnt sheffield wednesday win the FA cup with john harkes as a starter?
Re: Re: Wenger's American Recruits? Got some starts with the reserves, came in as a sub in many matches. Danny Karbassiyoon will be joining in June as well. I remember an interview with Wenger saying that Americans plaers have a great attitude and are very professional.
id be willing to bet that there are more negative feelings headed east than are headed west (at least about the citizenry, if not the government)
He also scored in one of the Finals, but SW does not count. Friedel did briefly started for Liverpool.
Re: Re: Wenger's American Recruits? No one really cares about what Sheep Boy thinks. If Arsenal want to make a bid for Howard, it can match literally anyone in cash.
If he's looking for a center back to play now, why not Pope? Haven't the last two World Cups served as enough of a tryout? Word his his early season form has been impressive.
That didn't stop Wenger from buying Cygan, did it? Plus Arsenal doesn't have a lot of money to splash around on transfers.
Since Howard wasn't good enough to catch on at Feyenoord, why do we think he's good enough to play for Arsenal? I think he's got tremendous potential, but he's not even close to being there yet. His distribution is poor, and he frequently makes poor tactical decisions in coming off his line. In five years time he might be the best keeper the States have ever produced, but he isn't there yet.
The idea is that the sooner Howards gets to where he is going, the sooner he will be ready to play. He will learn the skills needed in the States, but it might be at a faster pace is Europe.
Well, that's probably true, if only because he will play more games. It's(playing more games) not likely to happen at Aresnal, though, unless they loan him out for a couple of years.
That Trinidadian had proved himself in the very division the Man Utd play - for several years. Plucking someone out of MLS to start for one of the 'big-boys' is a bit of a stretch. But as someone else said - it's far more likely to be a cheap third rate player he can grow.
Not to mention the howler he let in this weekend. But I suppose everybody has one of those every once in a while.