Who will be our left back for the upcoming season? Forget the injury prone, error prone, weakling that is Gibbs. Forget the poor tactically minded Armand Traore. Forget the thought of moving Thomas Vermaelen to left back. Forget signing Jose Enrique or Leighton Baines or another left back. Pedro Botelho is the answer to the question of who will replace Gael. Over the three and a half years Pedro has spent in Spain since we signed him, he has continuingly improved. Whilst he has spent a fair amount of time playing in a more advanced role, especially since his move to Cartegena last summer, Pedro is more than comfortable at left back. He has all the attributes Wenger will be looking for in a left back. He is strong, aggresive when neccessary, pacy, a good crosser, scores the odd goal, and has great work ethic. And most importantly, he now has Spanish citizenship, meaning the need for a work permit is no longer denying him his chance. Expect Pedro to shine in pre-season and cement his position as Arsenals new number 3.
I'm not really sure. I think someone experienced at left back would be needed to fight off those dirty spurs, liverpool, and the other 3. However, he could be back up.
If he was any good then why was he at Cartegena of all places? Traore made it to Juventus and he is terrible!
The point of Pedro going to Spain was to get a work permit, but also to get as much game time as possible. No La Liga side could have promised a youngster a starting place, but Cartegena could. Don't get it twisted, there were La Liga teams after him after he impressed at Celta Vigo, but in order to guarantee maximum game time, Pedro stayed in the second tier. Armand Traore is a different story. He had a fair amount of top league experience with Arsenal and Portsmouth, but was going to Juve as a squad player with no guarantee of game time.
I would like our new LB to be an upgrade on Clichy though, and i am sure that clichy would have been the starter for at least 1 club in the la liga.
Jose Enrique looks a good bet, the rumours surrounding a move for him seem to have substance. However, with Kieran Gibbs, Armand Traore and Pedro Botelho all at the club, it wouldn't be a surprise if Wenger decides to concentrate his signings in other positions. Either way, i think Pedro will have a big season, especially as he will offer competition to Arshavin as a more direct winger if Wenger doesn't risk using him as a left back.
The word "overrated " springs to mind. I want us to sign a good established left back, such as baines, rather than trying out some untested youngster. There's a great line in a song by the who called won't get fooled again, and it goes "meet the new boss, same as the old boss." That sums up what botelho will be like, traore and gibbs.
there's a great chance for someone to step up next season at left back. whether it's gibbs, botelho (who i figured more for a left winger), traore (also more of a winger), or a new recruit. it's sure to be a very interesting opening few games to see who will cement their place.
He has played more often in an attacking role, but isn't that a typical Wenger left back!! I think Wenger will have a good look at all 3 before making any decisions on signings, and he will also consider Vermaelen at LB and signing 2 CBs. Think the links to Jose Enrique have substance, so wouldn't be surprised if he is our LB for the new season.
What a load of Rubbish. This is the top level and we need established World Class players. Our defence conceded 43 goals in the league last Season and we need to improve on that. We just offloaded one of the leagues best left backs for a pewny £7 Million. Terrible business by Arsenal.
This is the top level and we need established World Class players. ============= Oh yes, lets go out and buy 25 world class players, should only cost about a billion pounds!! We need experience and top quality in certain areas, CB and CM especially. But at left back it is not so important. Clichy one of the best LBs? Error prone, poor in attacking areas, cost us so many points over the last few seasons. Evra, Cole, Baines, Enrique, Bridge, Bardsley, Assou-Ekotto, Figueroa all have performed better than Clichy in the last couple of seasons. We robbed City, £7 million for a player who did more damage than most in conceding 43 goals last season.
