Written by Mean Lean on Tuesday, 05 July 2011 12:41

So the transfer wheels at Arsenal began to turn yesterday when it was confirmed that Gael Clichy had joined Manchester City for a fee believed to be in the region of £7m. I was watching Sky Sports news a little earlier yesterday and watched Gael Clichy being shown around and I must say I felt rather saddened about his departure. Even though it appears to be the norm these days to be angry about everything and abuse anything connected to the club, you mustn't forget that Gael Clichy has been the perfect professional ever since he signed for the club as a youngster for £250,000 back in 2003. He can never be accused of not giving his best or showing 100% commitment every time he stepped onto the pitch. I always hear people say that they can forgive lack of quality if the required effort is put in, so I think some should heed that advice.

While I will miss the tenacious Clichy robbing attackers in the blink of an eye, I am also excited about what a new left back could give this team. As much as I loved Clichy (I am guessing you already knew this) his offensive play for a full back who often has to double act as a left winger, was clearly not good enough. I couldn't remember if I tried, the number of times I slapped my hands on my head when an Arsenal attack died in its tracks when Clichy ballooned a cross over everyone's head to an empty area on the opposite side of the pitch.

I am hoping to see a left back powering past Nasri, Arshavin or Gervinho on the left, running onto a slipped pass and curve in a powerful accurate cross into the penalty area for our players to attack. I also want to see our left back create space for himself outside of the opponent penalty area and score a few long range goals like Bacary Sagna against Leeds and Everton last season for example.

I have heard many talk about Leighton Baines and as an attacking outlet he would be great but there is no way that Everton would sell him for less than £20m. Only Manchester City would try and buy Baines right now and correct me if I am wrong but haven't they just acquired some French fella?

Jose Enrique would make plenty of sense, given that he only has one year left to run on his current deal at Newcastle. It is the type of business that Arsenal like doing. Getting quality for cheaper. I am sure there are many left backs around the world that we do not know about, that have also been scouted by our staff so let us wait and see what happens there.

Kieiran Gibbs would have been in the driving seat for the position if he managed to stay clear of injuries but currently he makes Abou Diaby look like Mr indestructible. We need at least two players who can play in that position anyway so Gibbs will have a good shot at it if he can steer clear of injuries.

There has been yet another blasting in the direction of crisis club Arsenal. Paul Scholes has rocked the Arsenal foundations by telling the media that Arsenal play pretty football but Manchester United win trophies. According to Scholes, Alex Ferguson would not have allowed is club to have gone that long without a trophy.

On the face of it that is wonderful, well done. I would have liked the journo to have delved a little deeper though. Perhaps thrown in a few questions like 'Would Fergie have kept Manchester United winning trophies at the level that they had with a stadium move, having the balance the books and getting the high earners off the wage bill?, oh and this while the rivals were either spending the club into the red or being bankrolled by a Billionaire.'

Scholes wouldn't be able to think that deeply and the journo would not want to ask those questions, so like I said, Well done Scholes for those wonderful comments.

Changing the subject for a second. OMG!! Manchester City in crisis. Best player Carlos Tevez wants to leave City. I suspect Arsenal will be removed from the back pages and will be replaced by City. Yeah right.

What is all this about Kevin Doyle to Arsenal? Someone has started this wild rumour and now I have to write about it. He has done a great job for Wolves, a hard worker and committed player but he is certainly not Arsenal quality. Playing as an Arsenal center forward you have to be able to find passes, control and avoid tackles in tight spaces, score goals and make assists. Robin Van Persie is the benchmark so that rules Doyle out. Sorry lad.

With that I am off and ready to see Kevin Doyle lifting up the Arsenal number nine shirt on .com. Urrgghh.

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Comments (31)

• 05-Jul-2011 13:15 | | Champagne-Charlie  - In wenger we trust?
  

  Yes, I trust Wenger is trying to build a team with solid economy and that he has done well in trying to. He is trying to do it regarding to the new Uefa financing rules. thats nice.....
  
  But. no other big club is going to do that. Do anyone of you out there belive that United, City or Chelsea going to follow these rules? No way Jose!! If the state of Greece can fool the hole world that the where solid so are united and co gonna do. Suddenly out of the blue the will have changed some figures here and there and "voila" their even.
  
  We can brag about running good business but we wont be neir the teams that dont care about money.
  
  Sorry for my bad english.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:18 | | Anonymous
  

  HI Mean Lean,
  
  I am a bit sad to see Gael go but I think that was the right thing for him and for us. He reminded me of too many painful moments.
  
  Like you I'm excited to discover our new left-back but I am slightly worried that Arsène is going to wait and see how Gibbs, Traore and Botelho fare in preseason before buying a new left back.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:19 | | Eva  - How excited?
  

  We can't make a quality signing at left back because that would "kill the career" of kieran Gibbs, silly.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:21 | | MeanLean
  

  I see where you're going with that but we will need two left backs anyway.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:22 | | MeanLean
  

  As far as I am aware, Botelho will be back on loan again this year. I wonder if he has a future at the club. Haven't seen much of him to be fair.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:24 | | MeanLean
  

  It is the way the club has always been. We are known as a conservative club from back in the day. Many like to blame Wenger for being tight fisted because it suits their agendas but we have never ever overspent.
  
  In fact, I challenge anyone to show me a time period before Wenger where the club have spent more than it earns to buy players.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:24 | | angelic beardy
  

  Hi Mean Lean. I suspect that Gibbs is going to replace Clichy, we also have traore back from Juventus and the Brazilian chap plying his trade in Spain coming back for pre season. As much as i would like to see a solid LB purchased a doubt that will be the Wenger way. I would love to see a big stong cb brought in pref Samba and maybe Kosheiny pushed out left myself.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:29 | | angelic beardy
  

  You are right about that Mean Lean. In the thirty plus years of supporting Arsenal we never have spent big on players. Even George Graham my favourite manager used a lot of our reserve players and brought in solid not world class players as we say now.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:43 | | Podge
  

  I said last summer that I expected Gibbs to take Clichy's first team spot but then he got injured and then injured again. What do we know about Gibbs? he is 21, faster than Clichy, can cross very well, can cut inside with the ball effectively makes good overlapping runs and has the skill to beat a defender instead of just outpacing him. He is a far better attacker than Clichy and has fewer lapses in concentration holds a line a bit better BUT he doesn't tackle anywhere near as well,his short passing isn't as good and his positioning can be poor. Gibbs is our future left back but right now I think he lacks a bit and I'm sure Wenger could sign a quality left back better than Clichy currently in his prime who Gibbs will be better than within 2 years someone like Izaguirre or even Baines if affordable. I'l make a suggestion 12m for Baines + Gibbs on a season long loan, we get the best left back in the league for a fair price Gibbs gets some needed premiership experience while Everton get a very good left back for a year and good money.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:54 | | Savage
  

  Good read. Balanced.
  
  Arsene is playing his cards incredibly close to his chest this season. Let's just say that from a PR perspective, the club have come up a little short so far. But I do believe that Wenger will make some solid decisions, just not necessarily the ones we're all expecting. Any money on Ahmedov?

• 05-Jul-2011 13:54 | | richie
  

  Hi you guys Arsene wouldn't have sold Gael unless he liked his replacement. I remember when PV went and everyone cried irreplaceable! Then came Cesc. Before that when Anelka was sold every Gooner I know said "en mas". We won't find anyone quicker to replace him with. Then came TDH.
  
  I guess its no good giving the standard IAWT response to our fellow Gooners many of whom I'm tempted to call Tiny Totts in disguise. But I couldn't care less being labled an AKB! I'll wear it as a badge of pride and continue supporting our manager until he's not anymore. As you so rightly point out ML we have never in our history been a big spending club, so apart from the obvious reading the tabloids I don't know where our own get the idea that we should become something we've never been.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:55 | | gunns  - No no no!
  

  If we're going to replace Clichy with Gibbs then surely we'll be making our defense even weaker that it already is, and Traore will not do either. Given that defense was our major weakness last season, we need to bring in a Lb who defends first, as opposed to going forward.

• 05-Jul-2011 13:56 | | richie
  

  Thats a thought!

• 05-Jul-2011 13:57 | | GoonerKev
  

  I dont see us signing a left back MeanLean.
  
  I think Clichy's sale means Squillaci will stay.
  
  Wenger will buy a centre back, so we will then have 5 centre backs, the new boy, Vermaelen, Koscielny, Djourou and Squillaci. That will allow him to use Vermaelen at left back if Gibbs is out, and he will just start Djourou or Kos alongside the new boy.
  
  He did a similar thing with Gallas when he first came, used him as a centre back, but he then played left back when Clichy was out, and 1 of the backups started at centre back.
  
  Another option would be to keep Traore, to backup Gibbs. I think even that is more likely than the signing of a new left back.

• 05-Jul-2011 14:01 | | zzzzz
  

  WENGER OUT we dont want youth

• 05-Jul-2011 14:07 | | MeanLean
  

  Spot on regarding spending. Nice to have you back Richie

• 05-Jul-2011 14:08 | | MeanLean
  

  Koscielny is a right sided central defender. Could never see him at left back

• 05-Jul-2011 14:09 | | MeanLean
  

  I must admit, I am not sold on the Vermaelen at left back. Would much rather keep him in the middle and buy a left back

• 05-Jul-2011 14:10 | | thenry
  

  have patience people, its no good saying get this one get that one there are a lot of factors involved before you sign players.
  Arsenal working to a budget which has been set by the BOND loans that we took to build the stadium only a set amount can be spent annually the rest has to be generated through player sells this sum also involves player contracts and renewals.
  give the guy a break he does not control the purse strings at Arsenal that was taken away from the manager after the george graham debacle.
  Wenger was furious when we lost di maria cos of the accountants refusing go an extra million. it was not his fault the blame should be laid at the door of the directors who have let Wenger down on many occassions when he has asked for a player only for us tio try and negotiate the deal to death before anotehr club comes in and signs them aka falcao we were in for him and porto outbid us by 2 million sad really.
  In ARSENE I TRUST not so sure of the board.

• 05-Jul-2011 14:10 | | MeanLean
  

  Not sure what the point is of repeating Wenger out on blogs. But whatever takes your fancy.
  
  Would much rather hear thoughts on the squad and what can improve.

• 05-Jul-2011 14:20 | | lard12
  

  i think wenger will buy either Enrique,Bains or Cissokow....i dnt know how to spell his name ...Lyon LB....maybe ..tremolinas from bordeaux chamakhs m8.......but i would have preffered tiawo...but he has gone to AC milan.

• 05-Jul-2011 14:30 | | angelic beardy
  

  I alwaysthought Kolsheiny was left footed. I take your word on that Mean Lean as tbh i can't remember much of last season or maybe trying to forget. I really don't think we have that bad a team at all, Lansbury will feature more, we can push Walcott more central up front with VP. Govinho more than likely will sign and will be on the wings and is very direct or what i have seen of him. Wilshere and Ramsey in midfield will be a great pairing, we wanted more English players and that is probably what we will get. Of course it will be hard to keep up with the Chelseas or Manc clubs but how many clubs in Europe can do that anyway. I'm sure a few more signings will come in hopefully Samba please.

• 05-Jul-2011 14:41 | | irish gooner
  

  kevin doyle would be a good signing,,,never gives up,100% commited ,can pass it well,shoots with either foot and is strong in the air,,,,he would be a hugh improvment than bendtner,,do you watch many REP of ireland games?

• 05-Jul-2011 14:46 | | Tswa wuu  - in Arsene
  

  English media is disgraceful,full of fibrications of stories,it a shame on English FA in general.all the so called transfer request by arsenal players are false an targeted at distracting the players.whehter thy like it or not Fabregas and Nasri ll remain at Arsenal come 2011/2012 session.....

• 05-Jul-2011 15:55 | | TrueGooner
  

  Does anyone fancy Kos in the DM role with Song? I think we should use him in that role since he has an eye for reading the game and can dart forward a bit. This could make Wilshere a more offensive minded midfielder to up his confidence in front of goal.

• 05-Jul-2011 16:01 | | jgunz
  

  i wont wait im a 30 year old big baby i want it all nownow now.

• 05-Jul-2011 20:54 | | JOHNNY  - BLINKERS
  

  "It is the way the club has always been" ML.
  Yes Ml you hit the nail on the head. We are incapable of change then, or is it against Arsenals (the board) principles to change. Is it lack of change that cesc, samir and clichy (gone already) want to leave.? Fergies agenda is to spend first and worry later, after they Win Trophies, yes ML and all you AKBs Win Trophies. Chelsea changed and won trophies,as did barca and citeh Arsenal are in the top 5 richest clubs in the world and we can spend big if we want. Arsene and the board dont want to. Answer me this ML, why is it so important for you for Arsenal to keep the finances in check and buy cheap and win nothing, or spend £100m and have great chance of WINNING Trophies again. Dont say we cant afford it. £100m is pennies to stan. Stop hiding behind the crap coming out of Arsenes mouth. ML you have no ambition at all. Just like deluded Arsene and The greedy f****** board. how can you not see that the board are happy with 2nd best or 4th as long as the money is coming in? Are you happy with 4th and champions league every year. ML a few added players last year would have IMO got us trophies. You are so much stuck in the past and obsessed with Arsene that it is pointless stating the obvious to you, as the blind is leading the blind . Take your blinkers of you misguided AND CONDESCENDING fool. By the way I am proud to say. IN ARSENE WE RUST
  Reply

• 05-Jul-2011 22:38 | | MeanLean
  

  Oooh keep on your knickers JOHNNY (are the caps for effect?)
  
  You seem to have missed the point, so I shall say it once more for you. Many fans (like yourself) are blaming Arsene Wenger (current Arsenal manager) for the conservative spending. I shall give you an example of this..
  
  "Arsenal are in the top 5 richest clubs in the world and we can spend big if we want. Arsene and the board dont want to"
  
  Arsene Wenger does not write his own cheque's. He is given a budget to spend which includes player wages. My point is that Arsenal FC have always been a conservative club, even before Arsene Wenger took over but you choose to ignore this fact.
  
  'Fergie's agenda is to spend first and worry later'
  
  Let me say it again, Fergie does not write his own cheque's. He is given a budget to spend and he spends it.
  
  Do you think Alex Ferguson would have spent £29m on Rio Ferdinand if he was the manager of Wigan? If not, why not? He has ambition hasn't he?
  
  You can only work with what you are given but you choose to ignore that. You expect someone like Wenger who is already doing great with the resources he is given to be beating other managers with far greater resources. I want that to happen but what reason should I expect that to happen?
  
  You have a problem with the board and the self sustaining model, fine. That is your view. It concerns me that we have to face an uphill struggle to compete but I understand that the club does not want to jeopardise its future by spending what it does not earn.
  
  Can you also explain what you mean by myself lacking ambition? What does that mean. Can you explain to me how your massive ambition is driving the club forward? I thought it was the club and the management that deal with that side of things.
  
  Do you know what my role is? A supporter. Do you know what your role is supposed to be?
  
  "a person who backs a sports team, politician, etc."
  http://www.thefreedictionary.com/supporter
  
  I back my team through the difficult times and the good times. I get people like you having a go at my views because I support Arsenal FC. You know why I support Arsene Wenger? Because he is the Arsenal manager. You know why I back Carlos Vela? Because he is contracted to Arsenal FC.
  
  As a supporter, I do not see the benefit of slagging off the manager or the players.
  
  Judging by your tone, you seem angry with people like me, and I am guessing it is because you think I believe that everything is rosy. You think that I cannot see the negatives of the team and the lack of silverware.
  
  This is it. I do see the problems, I do see how we have been weak mentally. I do see that not enough players show the required commitment to the cause at times, but the difference is, I deal with it differently than you.
  
  Instead of slagging off everyone at the club and praising our rivals. I slag off our rivals and back our team because I hope that the people in charge can make the improvements needed. After all they know much much more than you or I. AKB! You may believe otherwise. You may think you can walk into the job, sign Gary Cahill for however much money you feel like on the day and tell the players to shoot and then we will win the treble.
  
  I personally feel that it is much more complicated than that and I think our manager has enough experience of winning trophies at Arsenal to know how to fix it eventually, even with less resources than others.
  
  I am more than happy to debate with you but I do not quite understand your aggressive undertone and why you believe that I am condescending. Please explain.

• 06-Jul-2011 00:38 | | richie  - No need but I'll say it anyway
  

  Well said ML!
  
  I was raised in another era in another tradition.
  Our passed managers were untouchable! Even George the judas deserves respect for what he did for the club. I might disagree with what he did after he left but if I met him in the street, I'd still shake his hand and wish him well. Out of respect. Best believe I'd leave the Judas part out.
  
  Likewise the players, those who play for us now and those who've played for us in the past. Are all deserving of respect. Even if they were a lesser player. If I met J Jensen anywhere in the world like the above I still shake his hand and wish him well.
  
  Currently and until AFC tells me different I will support our manager if that makes me an AKB in some peoples eye's then so be it. I'd rather be a loyal Arsenal supporter cheering my team and our manager onwards. Than even the best of the fickle brigade who boo our own and criticise our own. Even after a player or manager leaves I find it hard to attack them. Ex Arse is still Arse.

• 06-Jul-2011 13:03 | | johnny  - Blinkers
  

  Ml i stand by everything i said and most Arsenal fans believe it also. How did i ignore the fact that Arsenal were always a conservative club, when the whole point of my article was about the need to change from this greedy stance and spend.
  Arsene Wenger is involved in every way with the transfer money ML, did you listen to Ivan at the AST meeting when he said that Arsene is involved from start to end in all transfer dealings. Did you choose to ignore this fact. If Arsene asked the board for £60m to buy 3 quality signings to compete seriously for the league and cl, they would give it to him, or do you choose to ignore this also. Arsene is obsessed with his project youth and cheap signings to keep his obsession on track and wont buy quality experienced players who will disagree with this direction and unable to control them. You know this is true, but again, chose to ignore this . His golden boys of cesc, nasri and clichy have now smelt the coffee ML.
  Your reference to Fergie and Ferdinand and Wigan is laughable. Fergie gets what he wants , no matter what the cost , Period.
  
  you said
  
  "Instead of slagging off everyone at the club and praising our rivals. I slag off our rivals and back our team because I hope that the people in charge can make the improvements needed"
  Well Ml, tell us what improvements you think are needed as a proud supporter of AFC who supports the manager who
  " has enough experience of winning trophies at Arsenal to know how to fix it eventually, even with less resources than others" Eventually you said, has 6 years not been long enough Ml , or is it adinfinitum with you and your parrot Richie. Do you support Arsene and the board regardless of what they do, or dont do. Tell me also what benefit are the Fans receiving from the self-sustaining model you, the board and Arsene seem to be proud of. Are we benefiting from the 6.5 rise in ticket prices and the silver membership. what ambition is this ML. dont spin the less resources than others crap. you know the money is there to buy what is needed for Arsenal FC to win trophies again, or do you choose to ignore this fact.

• 06-Jul-2011 13:39 | | richie  - The attention deficit generation
  

  Your part of the stardom now "X" factor - Big brother generation. Tell it like it is you really wish you supported Chelski! You want a rich sugar-daddy to buy you titles! You've bought into the media's/ Abromovic idea. Developing players and building a team from mainly our own academy (like Barca or Ajax of years past) doesn't appeal its too long term. Buying titles is immediate and far more satisfing for you.
  I'm glad I'm from an era where building a team meant something.

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