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Vermaelen looks a go-er - can Wenger coach him?
Monday, 08 June 09, 07:17 AM · Comments(21)
There's a lot of smoke and no denials on the Thomas Vermaelen-to-Arsenal transfer rumour mill.
You can't trust or believe anything the papers or blogs say when it comes to transfers, you just have to go by intuition - and intuition tells me there's probably something to this story.
A lot of has been said about "size" - or lack of it, but if Arsenal were to buy Vermaelen I would be more concerned about experience - or lack of it.
Yes, it would be preferable if Vermaelen was two to four inches taller, but it's more important that defenders are well coached in how to attack aerial balls and positional play.
However, positional adeptness usually comes through experience, and at 23 I don't imagine Vermaelen being anywhere near his peak in that respect and I don't see Arsene Wenger coaching him to be positionally sound either.
Arsenal require quality and experience at the back NOW - someone who doesn't need to be coached.
They say Vermaelen is a good tackler, but so is Kolo Toure - that doesn't stop the defence ending up a total shambles at virtually every set piece.
Perhaps Wenger sees a role for Vermaelen as a defensive midfielder.
As a central defender, this signing would not immediately impress me. If Vermaelen was a straight replacement for the departing Gallas, that would make Arsenal weaker not stronger.
My only hope then would be that Wenger plans to bring two CBs in.
I was concerned throughout last summer, and this summer I remain equally concerned about Wenger's transfer choices/decisions.
They say "Trust Arsene", but I don't. I used to, but not anymore - he has to regain my trust because Arsenal have won nothing for four years, Wenger's tactical formations have been a disaster, last season was hopeless and 2008 pre-season was a transfer joke that I don't want to see repeated.
Last season was dead before it even started, will 2009/10 be? We'll know in less than 8 weeks, Wenger can't afford to play this squad in the Champions League qualifier on 18th August.
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To read all Arsenal Truth stories, bookmark the main page <here>
Arsenal Truth©
You can't trust or believe anything the papers or blogs say when it comes to transfers, you just have to go by intuition - and intuition tells me there's probably something to this story.
A lot of has been said about "size" - or lack of it, but if Arsenal were to buy Vermaelen I would be more concerned about experience - or lack of it.
Yes, it would be preferable if Vermaelen was two to four inches taller, but it's more important that defenders are well coached in how to attack aerial balls and positional play.
However, positional adeptness usually comes through experience, and at 23 I don't imagine Vermaelen being anywhere near his peak in that respect and I don't see Arsene Wenger coaching him to be positionally sound either.
Arsenal require quality and experience at the back NOW - someone who doesn't need to be coached.
They say Vermaelen is a good tackler, but so is Kolo Toure - that doesn't stop the defence ending up a total shambles at virtually every set piece.
Perhaps Wenger sees a role for Vermaelen as a defensive midfielder.
As a central defender, this signing would not immediately impress me. If Vermaelen was a straight replacement for the departing Gallas, that would make Arsenal weaker not stronger.
My only hope then would be that Wenger plans to bring two CBs in.
I was concerned throughout last summer, and this summer I remain equally concerned about Wenger's transfer choices/decisions.
They say "Trust Arsene", but I don't. I used to, but not anymore - he has to regain my trust because Arsenal have won nothing for four years, Wenger's tactical formations have been a disaster, last season was hopeless and 2008 pre-season was a transfer joke that I don't want to see repeated.
Last season was dead before it even started, will 2009/10 be? We'll know in less than 8 weeks, Wenger can't afford to play this squad in the Champions League qualifier on 18th August.
_______________________________________________________________________________
Note: Either respect the views circulated on this blog by its users and respond articulately or your comments will be deleted and ISP banned.
To read all Arsenal Truth stories, bookmark the main page <here>
Arsenal Truth©
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