Being linked to Hoewedes. Would be a very smart signing. Another World Cup winner that is comfortable playing Centreback or Fullback. Also he's Schalke's captain so would give us those leadership qualities we now need.
Rumours that a Greek TV channel called Mega are saying that the Manolas to Arsenal transfer is a done deal.
The trouble is ... everyone that we'd consider of being high enough quality to play for us isn't going to want to come here and be a bench-warmer. Kos and Mert have the central defence locked up.
I don't know anything about Manolas aside from reports of him being "promising". Anyone care to enlighten me regarding his strengths/weaknesses. Comparable to any of our current CB's? Ball playing defender? Is he a tackler like Kos or a traditional CB? I know nothing about the Greek league.
Christ, if people claim to have in depth knowledge of this lad then... christ! I was skeptical enough when Carvalho was supposedly known to all but Manolas has to be even more obscure. Reports say he's young, quick and promising and in pictures looks like a Koscielny build. Mind you, seeing as he's in his early twenties he could bulk up a bit. It seems likely in that he's cheapish, promising and young meaning he probably won't mind waiting behind Mertechielny.
I think the best way to describe him is that he's very similar to Koscielny but has a hint of Mertesacker in him, he's quick and covers well, but he's quite smart too, I don't think he's a ball playing defender though, and he's a good athlete. I haven't seen much of him, but I have seen him play for Olympiakos quite a few times and his perfromances for Greece at the World Cup always seemed to stand out for me. Don't take what I say as gospel though, as I didn't really pay much attention to his individual performances when watching games with him involved, but it would always get to a point where I'd be watching and think "That guy's been really good." and it's always been Manolas. Obviously we could sign him and he turns out to be Squillvestre, but, we'll see.
Same as usual - I can't remember the last time the McNulty predicted we'd finish in the top 4 - it's a bit laughable this time as we led the league for ages last season, and we've improved while Liverpool and Man U have weakened and neither of them have signed replacements for the players who've left (Suarez, Ferdinand, Vidic) yet they'll both finish above us...
It's more the fact we're predicted to miss out of the top 4 every season without fail. The year it finally happens they'll shoot their load in smugness, conveniently forgetting the last 10 years in a row they were wrong!
I think we should consider our season a failure if we finish behind United. If they're second we better be first. They need a lot more to improve on their previous season than we do. (as far as challenging, obv. they'll improve their place in the standings)
I've just seen a "Vine" on Twitter of Jim White from SSN saying "Arsenal will do more business & a big name as well,certain"
