Written by Mean Lean on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 12:35
The exit door at Ashburton Grove appears to be creaking open today as a number of registered Arsenal players appear to be emptying lockers, handing back training kits and saying goodbye to the tea lady.
One player who will be missed around the club will be that of Emmanuel Eboue who looks set for a £4m switch to Turkish club Galatasaray according to reports. Arsene Wenger had admitted that Eboue, along with Bendtner and Almunia were allowed to sort out their futures by seeking pastures new. I must admit. Wenger had me going for a moment when he said that Eboue was in London due to injury. I bought that one hook line and sinker. While I think Cesc's hammys were always a smokescreen but I really believed that Eboue would be sticking around.
I guess we should have seen it coming judging by his limited game time last season but I really liked the idea of keeping him around as a squad player. Mainly an attacking right back for those games against sides who sat back deep in their half. A couple of seasons ago, Arsene used Eboue in certain home games and that worked really well, I do not know the reason why that changed. While Eboue's versatility has been a big plus to him, I also think that it might be a reason why Arsene is prepared to let him go. The saying 'a Jack of all trades but a master of none' may seem a harsh label to pin on Eboue there may well be an element of truth behind it.
While Eboue is a gifted dribbler of the ball with plenty of pace and power his season playing on the right wing ended without a goal or assist to his name. At right full back he was defensively nowhere near as good as the man who replaced him at right back.
It explains Arsene's decision to play Carl Jenkinson as right back with what is likely to be our first choice defence so that when Sagna is out of action, Jenkinson can come in as deputy without needing much adjusting.
I expect Sagna to go back into the 'first team' at the Emirates cup on the weekend. If the Eboue deal does go through then I am going to miss the guy, a great person to have around the squad but obviously Wenger had cut him out of his plans last season so it is best for everyone if he moved on.
Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is also due to head out of the exit door. The talented forward is close to joining Championship team Ipswich Town as they look to replace Connor Wickham. You get the feeling that we have a player who could actually be good enough to be a first team player for years to come but the fight and desire are missing from his locker.
He was involved in our pre season last year and technically he did not look out of place at all. I really thought he would kick on after that and push his way into Wenger's plans. Wasn't it last season at some point Wenger was interviewed about him and spoke higher of him than I think he has anyone else. But he hinted that JET needed to want it more. We need the opposite of that and I think that has let us down in the past. We need fighters, we need natural winners like Wilshere, Vermaelen and Van Persie. We do not need players who will stroll around thinking they have all the talent in the world without the application.
I must say, having followed JET on twitter, I had lost a bit of respect for the lad. I didn't like some of what he has said even if it is none of my business. I just remember the famous words that a proper Gooner like David Rocastle had said.
Like all Arsenal players who leave without bad circumstances, I wish him good luck but in this case, I think it is very much the right thing to do for both parties.
With Nicklas Bendtner and Manuel Almunia still putting the final touches on their departures I am expecting the movement to start happening the other way as soon as players are officially off our books.
In fact, I am expecting a flurry of late activity with new players coming in towards the end of the transfer window, even more so if either or both of Cesc and Nasri leave the club.
As players and managers keep saying, I am calm about our transfer situation. I expect many clubs to get busier as the transfer window comes to a close. Liverpool apart, I am not sure if many clubs have actually strengthened their squads so far. The Mancs have already lost the experience Van der Sar and Scholes whilst bringing in a 20 year old keeper and Ashley Young. Phil Jones is not first choice and probably not even ahead of Smalling so I don't see them being stronger so far. Chelsea and Manchester City are yet to show their hands properly so we as Arsenal fans should refrain from hysteria until the locks and bolts are shut on the transfer window.
Righty, right. Off to get on with what's left of this day.
Back tomorrow.
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