Ever since Patrick Vieira left Arsenal for Juventus, in the summer of 2005, there has been a void in Arsenal’s midfield enforcer role.
Sure, Gilberto Silva helped clean things up for a few years, and the 2007-08 form of Matthieu Flamini was a revelation for Arsenal supporters. However, seeing both of those players depart in the same offseason, was a little too much for Arsenal to handle, and the results showed that.
Denilson isn’t strong enough, and Abou Diaby looks to get forward often, something that the role does not call for. While Diaby was hailed as the ‘next Vieira’, it’s quite clear that he his a different type of player altogether; with all of his best performances coming when he plays on the wing. The second-half form of Alex Song was quite an uplift to the very small midfield pairing of Cesc Fabregas and Denilson. However, anyone who watches Arsenal knows that this won’t prove to be enough.
The team needs a spine. Going all the way back to the central defenders, the team needs a face lift. Arsenal supporters will be happy to see that Wenger’s transfer policy so far this summer has been purely based on the center of the team; both midfield and defence. To combine with the imminent signing of Thomas Vermaelen, Wenger has also been rumored to be in contact with the likes of Christian Zapata, Yaya Youre, Momadou Sahko, Gohkan Inler and, most recently, Felipe Melo, from Fiorentina.
No one can accuse Arsenal of not having enough attacking creativity. And with a healthy Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna, they posess two of the best fullbacks in the league. Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia looks good enough to perform adequately for one or two more seasons, and the young strikeforce will only improve even if Emmanuel Adebayor’s exit looks certain.
It is quite evident that Arsenal, with a few additions to its central midfield and defence corps will fight for honours on every front next season. What worries me, as an Arsenal supporter, is the similarity that can be struck between Vermaelen, Gallas and Toure; all quick-footed, smaller defenders. Arsenal need size and strength, as they already have one of the fastest teams in the world. We reminisce about players like Ray Parlour, who weren’t notoriously fast but weren’t afraid to get stuck in when the game called for it.
If I had my wish of any two acquisitions of the previously mentioned lot, I would easily settle on Felipe Melo to team up with Cesc and Sahko to team up with Vermaelen, Gallas or Toure. Sahko will be sold by PSG within a year, and their £10m asking price is a real bargain considering the domineering central defender has yet to turn 20.
Felipe Melo, I like because he’s 25. He would immediately become one of the most experienced players in the squad. Having seen him play in person, I can also attest to the fact that he has no trouble starting the break either; something, Arsenal loves to do. While I will be happy with pretty much any of the names listed above, these are my picks.
Either way, Arsenal fans are happy because it appears as though, for the moment, the Arsene is finally looking to add some grit.
Stephen Fales writes on DownSwinging.com.
Haha, an Arsenal blogger that thinks Vieira was a defensive midfielder! You lose any credibility for that. Petit was the defensive one, just because Paddy was built like a castle, doesn’t mean he is defensive. Diaby does play in the same position, same style as Vieira. But what we need to do is replace Vieira the character, not Vieira the player.
As an Arsenal supporter, how do you feel about Hitzelsperger, he may come cheaper than Melo, while having more experience, both in terms of the fact that he is 30 and he’s proven in the premiership, having played for Villa a few years back
Hitzelsperger is the best man to fill that void. Melo and sakho are not the character we need because he cost more and his experience not yet enough. If he comes to epl, he still need quite awhile to adapt.
how can you NOT call vieira defensive he was our holding midfielder, in that arsenal era the attaking was done on the wings and by getting in behind the defence. if you are a gooner neal and want to see the best possible players at arsenal then you will realise diaby is not fit to shine vieira’s boots!!!
i agree with the article steel is required whether or noty melo will have the experience, i dont know.
Sakho is a must he is quality and would fit in to the arsenal team as well as sagna did!
Hitzelsperger is 27 not 30!! and would be decent addition.
I’d love Melo and Sakho ^^
The author of this article is quite confused. Please stay away from giving advise on transfers for Arsenal or any other team.
I feel as if Melo might not be the best choice, but Steve is on the right track. Arsene, are you listening?
Yaya Toure is the ideal candidate for our defensive midfielder. Barca would sell for 12 million and thats a bargain. My second choice would be melo but he dont come cheap, they want money plus a player[eboue]. I would offer 5 million plus gallas who is surplus to requirements now thomas has arrived.
melo is the man, hes got all round ability aswel as being a ball winner. good range of passing aswel. I dont agree with selling anyone right now. In recent years, we have done well when we’ve kept the players together. The team looks great if we get melo.. almunia, sagna, vermaelen, gallas, clichy, arshavin, melo, fabregas, nasri, van persie, adebayor. Quite a good b team aswel.. fabianski, eboue, toure, senderos, gibbs, walcott, song, denilson, rosicky, bentdner, eduardo. Not to mention youngsters djourou, traore, ramsey, wilshere, diaby, and vela. This team is ready, but we just need melo, or another quality holding midfielder.
I say bring back viera. The last kick of the game in 2005 in the penalty shoot out in the fa cup finial against man unt. Was the last time we one a cup so ever since he left we ain’t one nout that’s what and who we hae been missing for four years.. he would be very cheap as inter don’t want him in there squad no more bcoz they have such a bug squad. By viera for 5 mill. Mica richards from man vity for 10 million and a huntelarr from real madrid for 10 million. With the 25 million for adebayor. Then the league is ours. Come arsenal let’s buyyy.
We defently dont want viera back espechialy as he seems so keen to join spurs..Hes past it now anyway, If only wenger would offer 15mill for y.toure then we would get the best defensive midfielder around and then theres stiil 10mill for a striker. As strikers go i would be happy with martins,charmak or huntlarr. But a defensive midfielder is a must.