Fuck off

I'm copying what I wrote in the Vertonghen thread a while back:

Klaus wrote:

In other news there's a story doing the rounds over here that Everton wants Mellberg this summer. His contract with Olympiakos is up apparently and he fancies a return to England.

Couldn't help but wonder if it might be connected with Jagielka in some way. We clearly tried to sign him last summer and Everton are strapped for cash. Makes sense that we would try again if we're on the lookout for a defender.

Was just waiting for this link to reappear. I think we'll sign him this time. Selling Jagielka for a couple of million while getting Mellberg on a free is right along the lines of Everton's transfer policy at the moment. They need the money, we could do with the player.

Then we have to sell a CB other than Squillaci. No room really for more than 4 in a 25 man squad, and Djourou just signed a contract. Can´t see us being in for another CB myself.

Djourou will ask to leave if we sign another defender.

That´s why we won´t sign another defender.

Don't follow the logic. If we want someone better than Djourou we'll sign another defender, whether his name is Vertonghen or Jagielka.

It was a joke.
I am happy with Djourou as 4th choice btw. I´d spunk all our cash on players who can make a difference at the other end of the pitch. Give Coquelin game time in midfield or at RB when Sagna is out.

He's gay

I think Djourou is a little too good to be 4th choice. At the same time he's a poor 4th choice to have around. If that makes sense. He's one of those guys who thrives on continuity. Can't think of a single instant where he's been subbed on or been forced to play the odd game without screwing up. Ad when he does screw up his shoulders usually drop and then it takes a few months for him to regain confidence. He could be an important player at Everton or Fulham but he has to move soon if he's got any ambition.

DJ is the first player I think of when reading Nasri's quote about players accepting their pay checks...
I think he's more interested in creating a media career than anything else...
Shame with his talent...

Ray Fakadakis wrote:

He's gay

Or, he's recognized his level, and is ready to accept it.

Interesting how quick people are to criticize Djourou and accuse him of lacking ambition when he chooses to remain here as 4th choice..

Djourou is ok as 4th choice CB. As any choice fullback he's a disaster though.

Think that's something we should look for in our lower pecking-order CBs in future; the ability to play fullback too.

Personally, think Djourou's actually a better FB than Vermaelen was, but anyway, doesn't matter

This whole CBs with the ability to play fullback bit is slightly dodgy at our level.

Vermaelen came to Arsenal promoted as a CB with the ability to play at left back, but he really can't play that position well enough at Premier League level to be a true alternative. I suspect, though can't be sure that the same would be true of Vertonghen.

There just aren't many players at all who combine the aggression and physical intent required of a top central defender with the athleticism and delivery of a top fullback, who also have the intelligence to chop and change from match to match.

Very few players understand other positions well enough to be a genuine option at top level. The higher up you get, the rarer the occasion. The standards are too high. You might get away with it at a midtable club or in a weaker league but not at Arsenal. In this current squad Arteta is the only one I can think of who can do it for an extended period. Wilshere too maybe.

Djourou and Kos both contributed a bit in the attack for us when they played down the right flank but I don't think they were much better than Jenkinson.

Klaus wrote:

Very few players understand other positions well enough to be a genuine option at top level. The higher up you get, the rarer the occasion. The standards are too high. You might get away with it at a midtable club or in a weaker league but not at Arsenal. In this current squad Arteta is the only one I can think of who can do it for an extended period. Wilshere too maybe.

Djourou and Kos both contributed a bit in the attack for us when they played down the right flank but I don't think they were much better than Jenkinson.

Agreed. Thought Kos was quite good at RB though.

Thing is, every position other than the DM one in Arsenal is so specified seldom players do well playing in unfamiliar positions. Manure rotate players very well because their team is much more flexible

Well, agreed with all of the above, but let's forget about that aspect of Vertonghen or even Jagielka's DM ability.

These guys are really only of interest at CB, we should look to sign specialists for those other positions if they're felt to be thin—eg can see a strong argument that we are thin at RB with Sagna's long term injuries and Jenkinson's level.