Or you get a Balotelli or a Robinho or a Reyes.

Ricky1985 wrote:

Tim wrote:

Haha, I knew you'd pipe up Ricky! ;-)

The simple answer is that, by and large, these players aren't mediocre. To do well in the Premier League nowadays requires a great deal of talent.

They really are mate. We judge players at Arsenal by far harsher standards, every single mistake is micro analysed, watch Roger Johnson for 10 games straight, watch every move he makes, as you would Koscielny, and I'd bet my life you wouldn't still want him here.

Most of these players are at mediocre clubs because they are mediocre players, the ones that are better than that are quickly snapped up by better clubs.

There are a few on the list I'd want here, and I bet it's those 3 or 4 who are plying their trade at a better club in a season or two - we all know the names because they stand out.

I'm not saying they're all quality or they could all play for CL clubs. But I do think most on that list would improve us, and for the most part you know exactly what kind of personality and player you are getting.

Tim, it's definitely worth a look. As you say, Fergie's had success shopping around in the Premiership.

Valencia in particular has been a top signing

A player who graduates from a midtable PL club to one of the top four or five knows he'll be expected to work for his bread, and if he comes to Arsenal he knows it's to a club where his technical level will not be his outstanding quality.

Chamakh, who I still like, came to us on the back of a good, but not scintillating season for a club that wouldn't make the CL places in England. Talent wise he's a cut above mediocre: movement good to very good, touch good, finishing average, and he notionally has qualities that complement our other forwards, like being strong in the air.

Chamakh has a good work rate when he's fit and well, although he has had trouble adapting to the continual physical intensity of the PL.

Aside from the fact he came on a free, which was nice of course, ask yourself why he's an acceptable signing but our current example Doyle isn't? Why are we scouting Ligue 1 but not the Prem?

Says it all about Doyle that despite being a lot shorter and lighter than both Chamakh and Bendtner he is every bit as strong as them and at least as good in the air. Great attitude and robustness.

Just want to make it clear that I think Doyle would be a decent signing for the right price, bringing certain intangible qualities that we currently lack.

I'm not the president of his fan club or anything. Or his agent.

Back to defenders...

Tomo's France Foot claims #Arsenal have offered €15m for #PSG centre-back Mamadou Sakho. Ex-pres Villeneuve said AW tried in 2008 too

via Twitter.

Is he actually any good?

It makes little sense for us to sign a €15m CB.

Btw, why is it that when we need defenders, we always get linked with strikers and vice versa?

Sakho is among France's most highly rated defenders. But then so Koscielny wasn't he?

He can play LB as well apparently

Bet he's no better than bartley

Forwards please

Any defender that knows how to play under pressure is a massive must.

Gazza M wrote:

Sakho is among France's most highly rated defenders. But then so Koscielny wasn't he?

He can play LB as well apparently

Sakho has.been in the news for three, maybe 4 years. He has the same kind of early hype as Kompany.

Koscielny I'd never heard about until Wenger brought him in.

Sakho does look a very good prospect, but he's not the signing I want to see right now.

Sakho is a natural leader and winner. He was captain for PSG when he was around 17 or 18 which tells you all you need to know.

YounGunner wrote:

Sakho is a natural leader and winner. He was captain for PSG when he was around 17 or 18 which tells you all you need to know.

That French managers haven't got a clue how to pick a captain?

I'd racher Micah Richards. Least he can play rightback as well as centreback