With the rumors that we're putting in bids of up to 16M-17M surely we need to be attempting to get in Jagielka. Of all the centre backs we've been linked with of late he'd be my first choice. Phil Jones could be a great player but he could fail to sustain his level of performance. He's only played 34 premier league games in his whole career!! Jagielka is 28 years old, experienced, a leader and most importantly a well balance centre back, strong in the air and on the ground. He was stunning up at Old Trafford last year. He's also versatile and can fill in if required in several other positions Wenger supposedly bid for him last summer at around 14M. I'd be happy with the other players linked but prefer we raid Everton: *Cahill is younger but not as sure about his top level of performance *Samba is a beast but neither quick nor that mobile for a higher line of defence (but would be cheaper)
Imo he's a more experienced version of Phil Jones. They can both play DM, they're the same height, they're both English and they even look like each other. But imo he's too short. We're supposed to be adding height to our squad. Decent player, but not what we need.
He's an inch under 6'0" - not exactly a short player. I think he could fit in well at Arsenal. A rotation of Vermaelen, Koscielney, Jagielka and Djourou with Jenkinson and Bartley pushing for a spot could be just what we need. Plus the fact that he can play DM is a big plus.
Not sure if he is the quality we need. The likes of Jagielka, Cahill, Dann, Johnson etc are only slightly better than Koscielny or Djourou (if better at all). They have no Champions League experience, no experience of playing for a title chasing team, very limited international experience. They all play for teams set up a lot more defensively than Arsenal play, and their teams do not dominate possession like Arsenal do. It is totally different defending for a team like Arsenal. We need to sign a defender used to playing at the very top, used to the pressures of playing for a team expected to win things, used to winning titles. We are in a very different position to a team like Man Utd or Chelsea, who have established CBs who have been there and done that. They can risk bringing in players like Smalling, Jones, Luiz and give them time to develop if they need it. We cannot, we have to sign ready for action CBs.
Who do you realistically think we could sign who would fit those criteria Jeez? p.s. Did anyone know that Jagielka's middle name is Nikodem ?!?!
how many CB's like that are available? For the life of me I can't think of anyone as good as Vidic that we could buy.
No idea, I am no scout of European football!! People seem to like a couple of German champions Dortmund CBs, Vertonghen of Dutch champions Ajax was often mentioned by 606ers. We have to trust Arsene Wenger and the scouts. I will support whoever we sign and if it is Jags or Cahill or Samba I hope I am proved wrong. But at the moment I am not excited by most names I see linked with us.
If we're going to spend 15M on an average CB like Samba, Cahill or Samba, we might as well add on another 8-10M and buy a world class CB like Subotic. None of the players we're being linked with are better than Koscielny or Vermaelen.
Even Vidic was a risk and took time to settle, but United had an experienced keeper, Ferdinand to partner him and a good team defensive ethic. We do not! I am not saying it is easy, and even if, say, Subotic came he may not be the answer.
I think people need to be realistic about who we could sign. It's all very well saying that we need to sign CB's on a par with Vidic etc, but looking around Europe there are probably only 3 or 4 at his level, Pique, Puyol, Ferdinand and Terry who have won titles and played at the top level - none of which are available.
There is plenty of capable CBs around Europe. Thiago Silva, Subotic, Hummels, Lucio, Pepe etc. I'm not saying they're all available, but we can find the right player if we scout well enough.
I agree Kam. But none of those players have the experience that was being mooted. Personally I like the idea of Subotic or Jagielka - as both are proven tough defenders.
There are more than 2 leagues though. The Bundesliga has a fair few top class defenders who have won titles and performed at the top level. Interesting that you believe the only CBs at Vidics level are Barcas CBs and English players. I would guess you don't have a great knowledge outside the top 2 leagues (that isn't a dig, btw, most people will not have a great depth of knowledge concerning other leagues). I am sure there are defenders out there who fit the bill and are getable.
I'm not limiting the search to just two leagues, but your criteria that the players that we should be signing need to be at the top level, playing in teams who are expected to win titles and are used to winning trophies etc would narrow the remit somewhat. Personally I think we should be looking outside of these leagues at players who aren't in that category : (1) because they are not available (2) if they were they would be drastically expensive. For me Subotic looks like the best out of the rest and Jagielka looks like a potentially realistic target. I think either or both would add strength to our back line.
the ideal players would be kompany, pique and vidic in that order, but we would never get any of those. i would say mertesacker, cahill or sakho, in that order
I think that hes ok but hes had a lot of injuries in the last few seasons so i would prefer Cahill, Samba or Huth, i dont understand why noone is mentioning him, he is quality!!!
