Given the nature of the transfer market at the moment with over inflated fees and wages, coupled with a lack of quality players (Dein spoke recently about too much money chasing too little talent) and the lack of availability of players in January due to commitments with their teams. I would say that it was more of an informed suggestion that the right player wasn't available. I think it's far more speculative to suggest that this unknown player would have prevented our defence from conceding the goals that we did in Jan and feb. It would take a player of considerable talent and experience to seamlessly 'fit in' and hit the ground running - and transform our whole defence. I maintain that this type of player was not available in January
We could go around in circles with all this speculation, but here's a couple of quotes from Wenger: Firstly on December 31st: He didn't do it and we dropped 9 points. On January 27th: True, but the damage had already been done. He knew himself that he had to get a full back in and we don't know why he didn't - maybe he couldn't cut a reasonable deal in his mind, but the fact remains he failed to do his job and as a consequence Arsenal suffered. For the record I believe Taiwo to be a far better FB than Coquelin, TV, or Djourou but let's not get into a debate on who is or who is not better.
Just out of interest Jayram, who do you think would have been the right player to sign ? and for the sake of argument, be as speculative as you like
I think Taiwo or Cissokho would have done a far better job than TV, Coquelin, or Djourou. The reports are we would not pay the wages for either, and there are conflicting reports on whether Cissokho could have been taken on loan. I wouldn't have wanted Bridge. I also think there would have been many more options across world football that would have helped us, as opposed to no one being available. There, as speculative as you can get.
Wenger apparently made a loan bid for Cissokho in January and it was knocked back by Lyon. They also offered him for sale to us, Juventus and Newcastle according to his agent and none of them took up the offer, so that makes you wonder why, if he is a top quality player ? It would have been more of a gamble to buy him, than then have Gibbs, Santos and Cissokho all vying for LB at a time when we're all saying that we should only add top quality players and reduce the amount of average players in our squad. I think wenger was right to enquire, it shows he was actively addressing the issue. But if I were him and the offer was only for a permanent deal - I'd much rather spend my money trying to sign someone like Vertonghen in the summer, a quality player who can offer us versatility across the back and compliment the existing positions, rather than clog them up.
Though Lyon were quoted as saying - at the start of Jan - that they were ONLY interested in a loan deal. Perhaps we didn't move quickly enough and screwed it up.
Why would any team be selling a decent full-back in January? You may feel that a decent full-back was available, but the the chances are you are totally wrong, or he wouldn't be for sale.
Boys can't you see ..... there are only 54 decent footballers in the world and they were all busy at the time and couldn't come to Arsenal
there may be decent but they're not better than what we already have with vermaelen at left back whilst kos did a remarkable job at right back. It was very unfortunate to have ALL our full backs out at the same point in time but are you seriously suggesting taiwo would have been a better alternative? You also must include wages which would add up considerably over a period of time who would end up spending most of the season on the bench.
Some people want it both ways - clear out the deadwood and reduce the wages AND add more and more players, no matter whether they are of the required standard or not.
A loan is just that .. a loan, they fix short term problems. But, like I said, all 54 of the decent footballers in the world were busy and couldn't come to Arsenal.
Hardly a sweeping statement. Seems you saying the opposite is far more controversial. Players have to be world class to play for us; can you think of a reason why a team would be selling a world-class full-back in January?
Except what decent full back was available on loan Taiwo is **** Bridge is even more **** They were pretty much the only FBs available
So who is World-class at Arsenal? RVP certainly. Wilshere may be in a couple of years. Walcott when he has his 1 in 6 games performance. Who else?
