Vermaelen Suffers Setback: Page 9 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Vermaelen Suffers Setback

Ricky1985

In theory it's actually quite a good opportunity for both clubs. Coyle wants to turn Bolton into more of a footballing team, with us as his inspiration, and we need a reliable top class centre half.

Of course it will never happen, but you'd think Vela on loan, one or two of the younger players or the ones that aren't quite good enough for us thrown in - would make for a good deal. Why do deals like that never happen in football?

Gurgen

Too many variables involved, and it is not a good idea to throw away multiple squad players in the middle of the season.

Don Pacifico

Afraid I can't see anything other than a budget replacement, which is why sadly, an unfit Campbell makes so much sense to me.

Don't seem to feel quite as bitter about his departure as others but I'm not excited at the prospect of someone who is struggling to get into the Newcastle team whether by poor performances or fitness issues. But if it's not Sol, I'd put imaginary money on being someone we haven't been linked to and someone who probably isn't really good enough for our club, certainly not long-term.

Either that or we'll be selling Squillaci/Koscielny some time soon but Wenger is normally one to give players a good chance before he bins them.

Armor

I actually have my doubts whether we will sign anybody at all. We're not exactly quick to swoop and i can just see Wenger after a couple of weeks of hoping for a bargain, saying that Squillaci will be back soon and we're hopeful Vermaelen can recover too.

goon

Of course there are doubts. It doesn't really matter which manager you are, signing players in Jan is always difficult. Regardless of whether you're looking for a bargain or not.

y va marquer

I was almost certain that he would sign a CB, I didn't think he had any choice but to do so and then I read this:

"We have always people in mind and we check out. We look everywhere.
"It's difficult to find at this period of the season but overall I feel we have so many games that it's very important to focus on the next game. We still have solutions internally with [Ignasi] Miquel [the reserve- team captain], [Alex] Song, who can play centre-back and with Squillaci, who should come back very quickly. If we find somebody at the right level we will do it, if not we will continue like this."

asajoseph

Oh just shut up Arsene.

Ricky1985

Upson's being mentioned seriously in a couple of different places now. I get the feeling it's only speculation from the press, a 2+2=5 kinda thing, but he is out of contract in the summer, so there could be something in it.

I don't personally rate him very much, but he'd still be better than no one and could definitely do a job in some of the lesser games. In the cup, or 5 or so carefully selected League matches. I certainly would not want him starting at the Nou Camp or White Hart Lane later in the season - but if we're signing a stopgap, we won't get one who I am happy with, so as stopgaps go Upson wouldn't be bad. Better than signing Sol Campbell that's for sure!

goon

On one hand I think why not, on the other I can't help but think of the England-Germany game from the world cup.

asajoseph

The thing is, Song is the next best option, but if it means playing Denilson in midfield, which Wenger will clearly do, it will be a disaster.

y va marquer

Upson - better than no one, better than Sol 🙂
That's quite an endorsement Ricky.

Armor

Upson... not sure how i feel about that, seems to have zero pace left. Maybe as good as we can hope for realistically.

I guessed he was at least 32 and injury prone in recent years but a quick wiki check tells me he's 31 and has actually a decent amount of league games in the last few seasons (29, 37, 33 and 20 so far this season).

Klaus

Both Upson and Sol could turn out to be decent stopgaps but I'd wish for us to aim a little higher instead of just getting another body in there. We're not gonna sign a starter in january, but someone at Kos' level would be adequate. I was thinking about Oguchi Onyewu at Milan on loan for half a season, but it looks like he's already been loaned out to Twente. Shame. He'd tick all of Dules' boxes too: huge, good header of the ball, physical, decent first touch...

goon

He was awful at Newcastle.

Klaus

Everyone was awful at Newcastle back then.

Claudius

Ooooh. I've seen Gooch (Oguchi) have some real stinkers. He is a bit of a Squillaci. He tends not to be comfortable on the ball and is prone to giving away the ball in dangerous areas, and often appears a little clumsy.

I'm not sure if he's fully recovered to his pre-injury form, which itself was spotty. In the lead up to the world cup, I remember the USA-Czech Republic game. Maybe his knee wasn't fully healed, but he got beat by a midget (forget his name) for a header which led to a goal.

We might as well get something between Samba and Bramble.

USArsenal

Gooch would be good against someone like Drogba, as he can play against the big, physical striker.. put him against someone with skill, he struggles..

Zico is right when he said he hasnt returned to his pre-injury form.. he's not what we need, not in the least.. if he cant even get into an injury riddled Milan team, he would be eaten alive in the Prem..

Ricky1985

y va marquer wrote:
Upson - better than no one, better than Sol 🙂
That's quite an endorsement Ricky.

😆

Like Oft, I've got that Germany-England game still fresh in my mind. Upson actually made John Terry look quick, and that is no mean feat.

He'd be a decent 4th choice to plug a hole, but nothing more.

kamikaze

is upson even better than song at CB? wouldnt we be better off just buying a DM instead, which we actually need anyway?

re: wenger's quotes, it's just posturing so our negotiating position isn't too bad. we don't want to look desperate for a CB. everyone knows we're swimming in cash. how long does cahill left on his contract? why would bolton want to sell in january in the middle of a very good season that could get them into europe?

Claudius

Hadn't thought about the Europe issue, so that's a good point Kami. Coyle would be foolish to give away his best player, risk losing Europe and risk losing his job. It would have to be forced on him by owners seeing cold hard cash, which we know Arsene won't show.

I would echo your call for a DM. Someone like Vertonghen could come in and give us a DM who can either spell Song or play next to him in some games. He would also give us the quality replacement for Clichy and could play CD for the rest of this month while we await Vermin's return.

« Previous Page Next Page »