Cesc, Adebayor and Toure pushing us towards glory, yet poised to leave at the end of the season. Why?
A lot has been said about yesterday’s result, of course, with many Arsenal supporters more than delighted with the outcome. Italian media have hit out at English Premiership teams saying they are not so unbeatable after all, but maybe they failed to watch the 2nd half in which we had so many opportunities to win the match. In a way I’m disappointed just as I was after the 1st leg against Roma because as in the previous round, we could have sealed qualification yesterday, but all in all, we’re in the driving seat to reach the semi-finals.
Fabregas and Adebayor
Allow me to start by replying to all those around the web bashing those – like myself – who criticised Emmanuel earlier in the season. Adebayor was not performing before the injury, as simple as that, and as such, it was natural for us to criticise the lad. Incidentally, he was having one of those matches yesterday, until the goal, and some would say that with no important balls to convert, he will always have anonymous matches. The point is that prior to the injury, he was getting opportunities, he was just not converting them.
But anyway, why don’t we just appreciate the new Adebayor together, rather than hitting out at each other? Speaking of him, and speaking of Cesc, well it’s no secret these two are always dominating the transfer rumour headlines and I think deep inside, both of them want to leave. Now again, no-one is bigger than the club, but in three days, these two have shown how important single players can be in a side. No-one, no-one, invented passes like Cesc did when the Spaniard was out injured and no-one, no-one would have converted yesterday’s pass in a goal the way Emmanuel did. I still go crazy when I see the way the Togo boy chested the ball up to put it in the right position to volley it the way he did.
If you’re yet to see the goal, here you can.
Now these two, and maybe also Toure, wanted to leave and may leave at the end of the season. What I think on this is that Abebayor may be replaced in a way or another, Kolo maybe, Cesc no. The captain is not just the brain of the midfield, but of the whole side. Wenger is a genius in signing young players and turn them into champions but for this particular role, I’m afraid lightning will not strike twice and if Cesc is to be replaced with someone of his level, then a lot of money has to be spent.
But oh well, maybe the future of these three is linked with silverware, maybe not, we’ll find out soon, that’s for sure.
Gallas
It’s been a tough season for William. First the cigarette incident, then clashing with this team mates, stripped of the captaincy and now this. Yet I believe he had a very good season as on the pitch he’s been a professional from start to finish. Has he played his last game for Arsenal? Maybe, but like the other three, a lot will depend on what we’ll win this season.
One last thing. Many are tipping Djourou to replace him but I think you’re forgetting Silvestre. Make no mistake, I also believe Johann SHOULD replace Gallas, but Wenger didn’t bring the 31-year old to warm the bench. He did it because he thought Djourou was not experienced enough to step in when either Gallas or Toure are injured. And then he’s French, so maybe, just maybe, Wenger will actually opt for Mikael. I hope not, he’s the only Arsenal player I don’t considering a true Gooner.
Looking forward
In reply to Matt on Nasri vs Arshavin, since I failed to read his comment on time, well I like both of them but I insist on saying that Samir can play in a more central position whilst Arshavin is a natural winger. Theo on the right, Andrei on the left, Nasri more central.
Wigan are next, away from home. They improved a lot and a lot since we eased past them in the Carling Cup but we’ll have plenty of time to discuss that one, starting from Friday with the usual match preview, favourite line-up and so on.
Until then, sit tight, because the end of the season will indeed be a lot of fun for us Gunners.
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Noone is going anywhere….stop writing this nonsense
in order for us to keep them all, we have to win something. everyone is somehow under the impression that we are becoming one of those clubs who will always finish at the top of our class but not 1st. we MUST win either the FA cup or CL. otherwise you can expect the to transfer circus all over again
Obi,
“Poised to leave” is not equal to “Certain to leave”, get your facts straight friend.
i’m poised to punch you in the gob for writing this crap
Apart from the 2posts from the 10year olds, I also agree with the article and nycgunner, winning/losing cups this season will tell a lot. although have to say seems there is less pressure on the team this year.
I stumbled on this blog by accident and will not be returning because you are ill-informed and trade in irresponsible rumor-mongering (possibly to get hits).
First, Cesc is not going anywhere. He has committed himself, umpteen times, to Arsenal, repeatedly said he can’t control media gossip about Barca or Real Madrid, announced he loves the boss and the squad and being captain. He has done this time and again, including last week. A few days ago, even his dad proclaimed Cesc’s complete devotion to the cause. Yet, in the wake of all of this indisputable evidence that he will be a fixture for YEARS — through the end of his contract in 2014 at least — you somehow can divine the lad’s secret intentions — that he really wants to leave, and that everything he says publicly about the issue must be a lie. Utter and complete twaddle.
Second, Gallas is going nowhere. Since being stripped of the captaincy, he has buckled down, recommitted himself to the cause, mended fences with the Boss, found a way to co-exist with Toure, popped up with important goals. He is 31 and THE defensive stalwart of a side about to stride into the Champions League Semi-Finals. He is recognized as such by his teammates, who by and large look to him as a leader. (Even if he has had a rocky relationship with a few of them.) And now, to boot, he has a serious knee injury, putting his returning form in doubt and lessening the market for him — assuming he wanted out. Which he doesn’t. He is on record as saying HE WILL FINISH HIS CONTRACT with Arsenal and take things from there. Utter and complete balderdash.
Third, Ade is not going anywhere. He just signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, remember? Yes, his form was indifferent prior to the injury. No question. He can be a moody prick. But he is also invaluable, and on his day the equal of any striker in Europe. Le Boss knows his value and barring a 30-plus million offer from AC Milan, who won’t meet the valuation, will not trade him — as he is the only legitimate target man we have who can conjure goals on his own. (RVP is not a true striker. Eduardo is a fox in the box but needs great service, and Bendtner is just not goo enough yet.) And the fans love him. Utter and complete muckracking.
Fourth, have you actually SEEN Silvestre play? He is past it, friend. WAY past it. No pace. No confidence. Nothing except and over-the-hill defender who is a last choice stopgap because he is out of form, prone to mistakes, and regularly beaten by even mediocre strikers. He will never be first-choice center back as long as Djourou can walk. And the suggestion that Wenger will opt for him because he is French is simply childish.
In sum, these are the musings of a teenager who doesn’t really know or follow the Gunners. Learn the game, actually see a few in person, and then perhaps you can waste others’ time with a blog.
why is it only adebayor can score such goals?? This is nonsense… eduardo scored something like this too last season… if you recall
in my opinion none of the 3 is going to leave arsenal. Toure is not going to leave because of his love for the club. He has started playing alongside gallas and this shall prove that he is willing to do anything for the club. And if toure and DJ flourish in their partnership in the absence of Gallas, then maybe Toure Dj would be the preferred CB partnership next season.
Cesc is not going to leave given that he came out and say nothing nothing is going to make him leave this season. Not yet… Not intending to leave especially wenger says he is going to be at arsenal next season.
Adebayor is only being eyed by AC milan. That is if ancelotti is still around. That fat guy is near his contract end at AC and abramovich of chelsea is said to be keen for him to take over from hiddink at the end of the season provided hiddink does not sign permenantly with chelsea.
The only person i think would be leaving is RvP, if we dont match his ambitions. That is it.
You know, Chris, I can’t decide on your blog. Sometimes the entries are super, and then you have days like today. What makes you think that “deep inside” Cesc, Adebayor and Toure want to leave? As Wilcox says, Cesc has come out saying that he is the captain and wants to say and the same for Ade. Now if you had picked RvP, that would have been a different kettle of fish. You have to back up your statements, mate, or you are going to get smacked on the comments, and rightly so.
Well Derek, maybe you would be kind enough to provide us with a link to YOUR blog since it seems your knowledge on the Arsenal is superior to the rest?
I never said those three are leaving, I just said they wanted and MAY leave. Two, where did I write I want Silvestre to start? I said he MIGHT.
You seem to know so much about the Gunners yet you forgot Silvestre – before HIS injury – was a REGULAR when Gallas or Toure were out injured.
Sorry my friend, but I won’t allow you to twist my words like that. You accuse my article of being “musings of a teenager”, yet all the “utter and complete” statements are coming from your mouth. How old are you if I may ask?
PS: chakravo:
1. Toure asked for a transfer, it’s a fact.
2. Cesc keeps on talking about Barcelona and how nice they play. It’s a fact.
3. Gallas insulted his own team mates. It’s a fact.
4. Adebayor’s agent, “The player is fine at Arsenal, but when Milan come in for you it’s difficult to tell them no”. That’s a fact.
That it was I base my facts on.
remember how everyone was saying hleb/flamini would both stay and see what happened.
Chris, 1 thing. Like chakravo, i have mixed feelings on your articles, but cant always agree of course.
BUT, dont let the Derek Wilcoxes put you off mate, let me just tell you this mister, on demceber 2008 said that “Song, Silvestre and Almunia are rubbish” and that Galls should be “shipped out”.
enough said, no?
Thank you for the support Ray, but seriously, I don’t really care about the “history” of the “will not be returning” ones who pop-up every month or so
I write what I feel, what I think, what I believe. Mr. Wilcox thinks I write for hits, if I wanted to write for hits I would have said we signed Kaka on April’s fool. But anyway, I never took seriously those who arrived here “by accident” and criticise, and never will.
Chris, a quick word of support. I read many of the Arsenal blogs and always come back to yours as I appreciate the work you do on it and look forward to your articles, player ratings, and previews. I don’t always agree with your ratings and feelings on particular players, but do respect them and enjoy being able to discuss the differences that I might have (though we frequently agree). I live in the US where all of the major sports have any number of player changes each off season (especially the Washington Redskins my local Football team), but all the talk of signings and movement is really done in the offseason because it is such a long one for most sports (5 months for baseball, 7 months for football, 5 months for basketball, etc.) and we also have player drafts to select players from the college and school ranks for each major sport (including Major League Soccer – MLS). I find it fascinating in the leagues around the world like the EPL how much in season talk there is of transfers and player movement, so much of it rumors that get reported on one site and within a day are on hundreds of blogs and other news sites. The whole Arshavin drama in January was a prime example. As much as I would like the current squad to remain together next year I know that in reality that will not happen. I coach a fairly high level girls team that are now about 15 years old here and as a coach I always want to keep the core together season to season, but I also want new players to come in and challenge players for playing time and also to add some new blood to the team. I think the same thing is needed for a professional squad. The team this year has proved that no player, even Fabregas, is bigger then the club and I think that we can succeed if any of our top players leave. We also saw that when Henry left. The problem is that if too many leave in any season then you have what we had this year where it takes a while to get things rolling. Losing Hleb, Gilberto and most importantly Flamini last summer was tough and we struggled early, but I look at the improvement in the squad now vs last Fall when the season started and see incredible growth from so many players. Were we to lose anyone big this summer I think the current makeup of the squad has more then enough to compensate (not to mention all the young players waiting in the wings – Ramsey, Wilshire, Simpson, etc.) to keep us at a top level.
The thing I get more concerned about than player movement is the departure of Wenger. That would be a major hit for us and I think could take years to recover from. Players want to play here because of him, his development of young players and the style of play he promotes. Do you think they’d want to come here if we played like so many of the other English clubs?
Finally, a quick opinion on Adebayor. Yes, he’s come back with a flourish these last two games, but imagine how many goals he could have if he really work hard like the other players too and wasn’t so lazy about staying onside, moving off of the ball, etc.. Yes he has moments of brilliance that nobody else other than Van Persie has shown this year, but I wonder what he could be doing if he played with the effort that someone like Bendtner does up front.
Hi Mark.
Thank you for the kind comments, very much appreciated, honest.
As funny as it may sound, this article was not an attempt to put more gas on the heated argument regarding Cesc, Ade and all those tipped to leave by the media. My aim was to actually start a discussion on what would happen if they leave, never said they will, never said I hope they do.
I definitely agree on Wenger’s importance to the club, hence my relief when Gazidis said he wants to keep him for life. But having said that, we’re moving more and more towards a sport where players choose money over the rest.
Unfortunately.
Guys, let’s forget these debates. Players comes players goes, club remains for ever. When HENRY left for Barca, people started saying one thing and another, that we are in trouble, if not for what happened to us last season, at least we should’ve won the premiership.
Come to the points you guys has been making, to me i don’t want any of our players to leave, to be sincere, these guys are coming of age, you can see how good they are, at this second face of the season. So Fab is not going, that is, if WENGER want him to stay, because, if they tempt WENGER with huge amount of money like (45millions to 50millions £) he might cash in the money, remember the management are after money not success of this club, i am sorry to say this. We should ask our selves, why is it that only arsenal football club that all these stupid clubs like AC MILLIAN and this useless club called BARCA always talking of buying their players, why, because we proved to them to be a selling club, that is it, that is why they have nerves to come back again and again to unsettle our players, I thought most of you heard what Barca chairman said last week about Fab, Wenger did not make any comment on this. If he really want to keep Fab, he surpose to come out with loud voice and tell them off.
If you have a good player and you trusted him as much, no mather how much they promise to pay you, i thing your answer should be no, that is if you are hunting for glory. I hope we keep them next season, all of them, then next season. So, stop blaming the players, but the management, if they really wants to keep them players, they will. This has been WENGER styles, he would built a promising team, then destroyed them again, season by season. What makes MAN U so though, just because they always keep there players. Take a look at GIGGS ans SCHOLES. WENGER and the management have to change their so called policy, if not they would have no formidable club. So, let us stop insulting our sevles, and lets back our team for now, please GOD, may be some luck would come our way this season.
I can’t help myself, so one more post.
Chris, laddie, my point is that you are writing that Cesc, Adebayor and Toure are “poised to leave”. Do you understand what “poised to leave” means? It means “on the precipice of leaving”. “About to leave”. “Desirous of leaving”. Unless it is actually true, it’s irresponsible muckracking, mate, and you should know better.
None of them will go anywhere or wants to go anywhere. Players have hissy fits and fall in and out of love with their teams all the time. The fact that Toure or Gallas or Ade have wined in the past doesn’t mean they are serious about packing off or unhappy. Ade is on 80 thousand a week. Toure has regained fitness and form and is once again first choice, even if he he and Gallas don’t get on, something that doesn’t bother Le Boss in the least. Gallas re-established himself as a leader and a top-flight defender. They all know the grass is not greener anywhere else. But more to the point, Wenger likes them all immensely and does not want to sell them.
Cesc is committed till 2014 and he has never, ever said that he wants to leave Arsenal now. I challenge you to find a single statement from him on the web where he says that. Only that he sees himself playing for Barcelona at some point in his career, and that being admired by his boyhood team is flattering, and that they are a great squad. Fine. He has recently said, for the hundredth time, that he loves Arsenal, loves being captain, and sees his future here. And that he can’t control media speculation, but only he, his family and close friends would know if he wanted to go, and he doesn’t.
But the proof is in the pudding. If a single one of these players is gone come the start of the next season, I will happily return and doff my cap to you. But they are going nowhere.
And Ray, I am delighted you know how to search for old quotes. I had a blast looking at some of yours.
But the fact is, Song, Silvestre and Almunia WERE rubbish for the first third of the season, when I wrote that. Let’s revisit what has transpired since then.
Silvestre will never be anything but rubbish, which is why Sir Alex was happy to let him go to a competitor for chump change. And yes, Chris, Silvestre WAS brought in to be the first choice back-up for William Gallas. But he was so off the pace and past it, he was quickly supplanted by Djourou, even before he broke down. That will not change. And if you have seen his performances, you should hope he stays on the bench.
As for Almunia, he is what he has always been. A decent shot-stopper. Someone prone to occasional panic/flailing on set-pieces. And he has stepped up his perfromances. But are you really convinced he is our long-term answer. That he rates with other top keepers. That his capacity to lose concentration and get beaten from distance is excusable. We need a top flight keeper, and he is not that.
As for Gallas, his behavior was abominable for quite a spell. Sulky, emotional getting in spats with teammates, incapable of leadership, and frankly not putting in good enough defensive performances on the pitch. Leading me to believe he had to go. But he didn’t go and his reaction has surprised me. He has righted the ship, gotten on with the business of leading the defense, and he has done it superlatively. My hat is off to the man. He showed me something, and if he can keep his head down and do what he is capable of, he has several more years in Arsenal red.
Song is a more interesting case. He has undoubtedly improved over the course of the season. Undoubtedly. His passing is better. His work-rate is better. His commitment is there. Do I think he is Arsenal’s future as holding midfielder? That he can be a Viera or a Senna? I am not convinced. But if he continues to improve, I will be happy to revisit.
I do hope CESC stays he is the heartbeat of the team,GALLAS will leave in the summer he is over 30 and will be only offered a one-year just like PIRES,ADEYBAYOR will also go he has had it on his mind since last summer, he is only trying now because he is in the shop window.TOURE may also leave for Big Bucks,lets hope i am talking Shite and they all stay,meanwhile COME ON YOU REDS the futures bright.
The author: “…regarding Cesc, Ade and all those tipped to leave by the media…” “..That it was (sic) I base my facts on…”
That is why this is a weak piece of writing – we can all read the papers and most of us realise they print a bunch of utter shite – you need to grow up, wake up and shake up your ideas young man!
Well pink panther, I doubt you know what you’re talking about so I’m sure you’ll forgive me for not taking you seriously
you are forgiven TGH – but you still need to start looking beyond the obvious
Thank you sir.
I can now have a good night sleep