Let’s begin with former Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy.
Earlier this week, the Frenchman was quoted in the press saying that he left Arsenal to ‘win trophies’ – this hurts to hear as a fan, but let’s face it, this is every Arsenal players excuse upon departure. So screw him, he clearly left for money, nothing else.
How many goals did he score for us throughout his time at Arsenal? Compared to other top left-backs, Clichy is far superior in the speed and closing down departments. However, other attributes of his game were so poor – his crossing was especially flawed. The change was coming; I just didn’t expect it so soon.
One thing we must remember is the effectiveness of Clichy’s speed. Most of the time he would tackle his opponent and win the ball back on his first attempt. However, if he screwed up, he could always depend on his speed to catch up and rectify his mistake. This was all good, but like all players in their mid 20’s they begin to lose their speed. So I ask, how effective will Clichy be once his speed is gone? Maybe he will be good for City, maybe he won’t. In any case, it still sucks to see him leave and take cheap shots at the club that I love and the club that made him. Now I think he’s just a selfish B.
Replacements for Clichy: A lot of people are talking up TV5 as his potential replacement, which I wouldn’t mind. He’s just getting back to full fitness after the crap year he had last season, and maybe this will give him the opportunity to build his confidence and could potentially get more involved in the attacking part of our game – kind of like Dani Alves for Barca. Not to mention, TV5 has a great left foot!
Other notable replacements for Clichy are Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore. It’s hard to decide out of the two, as the pre-season has just begun, but if Wenger opts for experience, then Traore looks the more likely option.
Cesc Fabregas – What is going on with him? Why is he always injured? To be honest, I am starting to get worried about his future at Arsenal and, as much as I hate to admit it, I am starting to buy into everything Xavi says on twitter about him wanting to leave. Let’s just put this issue to bed once and for all.
Denilson is gone! Yes! Maybe he can learn how to tackle and work on his passing range. Bye Deni!
Tomas Rosicky – Can’t believe he scored last week, even after such a crummy season under his belt. Good for his confidence. However, he needs to hit the net more often, or maybe just needs to change his boots.
Visit and Join our Facebook page, click HERE to do so.
Gunnersphere is currently looking for new writers to join the squad. Contact via twitter or at Gunnersphere@snack-media.com for further details.
Most players lose their speed in their mid-20’s?
Bacary Sagna is 28, going to be 29 this year and he’s ridiculously quick.
Ashley Cole, Florent Malouda, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Alexander Hleb. They’re past their mid-20’s and are still pretty fast.
Robert Pires was still very speedy beyond his mid-20’s.
As for Vermaelen in LB, we would filling up a hole in one area of the defense and tearing it a new one (it’s got too many holes already).
believe you will love it.
====(www)( bestniceshoes )(com)
BEST QUALITY GUARANTEE!!
There are many fashion clothes high-heeled shoes
Experienced …. you think Traore (or Gibbs) is experienced ? They both have a long way to go. Also we need Vermaelen in the centre of defence.
chris – Gibbs and Traore have both played more games than Ashley Cole had at this stage of his career yet he was given a chance, even though he was not as good as either of them at this stage.
WENGER WOULD MAKE EVERYONE FEEL BETTER if he would just sign a center back asap (SAMBA, Verjonsen, to name but two possibles). HE WOULD REALLY MAKE EVERYONE SMILE AGAIN if he would splash the cash and sign MATA asap. HE WOULD HAVE SUPPORTERS STARTING TO BElIEVE again if he stole CISSISKO from Liverpool to address our LEFT BACK hole.
HOWEVER, our ARSENE being ARSENE he will do nothing in the next few weeks except perhaps to sign another 19 year old striker… SIGH!!!
lol what a drama queen
reality bites if you want to criticise at least name 2 real players. i believe you mean verthongen
Assuming we sign no more defenders what would your first choice back 4 be
1. Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Gibbs
2. Sagna Djourou Vermaelen Traore
3. Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Gibbs
4. Sagna Koscielny Vermaelen Traore
5. Sagna Djourou Koscielny Vermaelen
Obviously each back 4 includes our best 2 defenders Sagna & Vermaelen. With respect to Eboue, Jenkinson, Squillaci, Bartley and Miquel i have left them out for the purpose of this question.
Has to be number 1. Koscielny is too similar to Vermaelen and we need Djourou’s height. Apart from a few bad games I though Djourou was excellent last season (better than Samba or Cahill IMO). He is great in the air and on the ball he is calm and makes good decisions. Koscielny is a quality third choice and I hope Bartley gets a chance ahead of Squillaci.
As for left back, unless we sign someone (I hope we do) I think it will be Gibbs given a chance ahead of Troare. Both are already better than Clichy in the offensive department, and really I think it will take much time for both to become better defenders than Clichy either. Especially with TV playing on their inside.
On a side note I watched Clichy play for City against Vancouver White Caps yesterday (the worst team in the MLS) and he was awful. His reading of the game really is sub-par, he kept jumping in at players and they went straight by. And he offered absolutely nothing going forward. If it wasn’t for his pace and ability to recover he would be playing in the French second division.
A great offload in my opinion. When will City learn that we’ll only sell them our mistakes!
Our current back line(w/ or w/out Clichy) will never be premier league champion level, never.
number 3
Sonny, you’ve got a long way to go.
ARSENAL NEED TO BUY JUAN MATA,CAHIL,CHRIS SAMBA AND LALAKU ND DAY NEED TO REALEASE FABREGAS 4 40 MILLION.
Release Fab4 and get Mata!
Verm shud play at left back wit wenger buying samba and Cahill..!! Everton are keen on bendtner so if they want him swap plus cash for rodwell(def mid).. Blackburn quoted 9 for samba plus 17 what Bolton quoted for Cahill and the 11 we payed for gervinho take 7 we got for clichy and we have only spent 30mil chuck in say 5 for the swap deal with bendtner and rodwell so 35 all up ain’t bad for 4 quality players..!!
After that if we really have the funds they speak of and want to excite the fans sign the young chap lukaku..!! He’s a beast..!! (but this signing is a luxury and one for the fans)