View From The Sphere

Forget M’Vila, let’s sign this Frenchman instead

|
Image for Forget M’Vila, let’s sign this Frenchman instead

I recently read that Etienne Capoue, a reported Arsenal target, wants to leave Toulouse after the club’s failure to qualify for European competition last season.

Despite being ‘happy’ at the Stadium Municipal, the 24-year-old says he wants to play Champions League football and ‘quickly’ find himself apart of the French national side.

He said:

‘I want to play in the Champions League, and face the best teams in the continent. Toulouse cannot offer me that this season.

‘We missed out on Europe at the end of the Championnat. Yes, I want to leave.

‘It’s not that I’m not happy at Toulouse, but I want to progress, pass a course and integrate as quickly as possible in the France team.’

Undoubtedly this will come as great news to Arsene Wenger.

The Frenchman appears to be on the hunt for a defensive midfielder and with Alex Song being a subject of interest for Barcelona and Rennes’ Yann M’Vila nowhere to be seen on the Arsenal radar, a move for Capoue looks ideal at present.

Capoue, who primarily plays as a holding midfielder but can also be used as an emergency centre-back, has great composure on the ball, is not afraid to get stuck in and keeps things neat and tidy in midfield.

He has played 155 games for Toulouse in all competitions since 2007 and despite M’Vila being the more recognized player of the two, Capoue would cost half the price of his national compatriot at around £11 million.

Although his contract doesn’t expire until 2014, his desire to leave Toulouse will undoubtedly force the club to place him on the transfer list this summer and I for one would like to see Wenger pursue the French midfielder rather than M’Vila, who seems undecided on his future and a move to The Emirates.

Should we make a move for Capoue?

Give us your thoughts on the matter below

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.

Share this article

9 comments

  • Robbo says:

    yes defintely this guy is class, much better than M’villa and the potential to be better than Song very soon

  • Josh says:

    I would honestly prefer capoue over m’vila. Capoue is more aggressive and gets more stuck in with slide tackles. I think we should sign him regardless if song stays or goes.

  • JB212 says:

    Signing Capoue would be like buying cover for 2 positions. Currently in the squad we have such a bunch of versatile players who can play in numerous positions. He’d only add and improve that.

    Capoue is a terrier, something in the mould of a steriod induced rage filled Flamini.

    Song instinctively coming a more attack minded player and is managing to become one quite nicely and with Capoue coming into the squad it could help a lot.

    Basically, the way I see it.

    Signing Capoue eliminates the need to sign wing back…. He can fill in at centre back, allowing Koscielny to move over to the right or Vermaelen moving over to the left.

    With M’Vila we’re gonna have to sign a wing back definitely as from his style of play and physique I don’t see him being well equipped at playing centre back.

    GET CAPOUE AND SAHIN IN AND WE’RE CHAMPIONS
    (+ keeper if Fabianski leaves)

  • bc says:

    For the price of mvila you can get capoue and yanga-mbwia which in my mind would solve all our problems. Add to that montpellier and toulouse might well be interested in squillaci chamakh and park who have all performed well in ligue 1 then i say come on gazidis and wenger what are u waiting for?

  • Aminu says:

    I dont think is neccessary to sign a defensive midfielder because it will alter the development of Couquile and Frimpong, in Couquile i see new Flamini he can run across the field for 90mins without getiing tired, he tackle and recover well when the team loose posession, no wonder Le Prof decided to give him Jersey no 22, he will have alots of playing time this season.

  • UMOH EKWO says:

    I don’t think we need any more defensive midfielder. What we need are CBs and FBs.

  • freddie says:

    no we do not need either of them. it will just destrou frimpong, le coq and even lansbury’s developement.

  • Kibika says:

    Wenger look at left and right back, there is a weakness b’se Sagna is enjured several time i dont think if i ‘ill be fit like be4! Go and get Falcao and let Rvp leave to our club defensive midfielder we have altenative ie Frimpong Couqlen

  • Jubril says:

    What AW needs is right back and a keeper and also make sure that he secure sahin signature, it over we will beat anybody season. if he gets dis, arsenal will surely win something this season. Up gunaz til i die

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *