Evaluating Arsenal's Off-season Transfers

Arsenal had several significant changes this off-season by selling some of their key players and adding one big money signing. The purpose of this article is to examine the incoming signings and how it affects their position and give it a grade and also looking at the players leaving and rationalizing if it was the right time to sell. This article will also look briefly at formations but a more in-depth article concerning that will be coming in the near future.

Signings

Thomas Vermaelen – from Ajax - 10 – 12 million pounds.

Arsenal’s lone signing of this transfer window was Vermaelen of Ajax. The Ajax’s captain is a Belgium international and is a 5’10 central defense man who is 23 years old. He has played in Europe every year so far, so he has some experience in the Champions League. I have not seen him play, so I do not think it would be fair to comment on him, but he is an international and captain and apparently has good aerial ability despite his height. He will probably replace the outgoing Kolo Toure and form a partnership with William Gallas.

Grade: C+

I can not rate this player too highly considering that I have never seen him play, has yet to adjust to the Premier League and is quite pricey for a defenseman. Arsene Wenger is usually very astute at spotting talent, but his record with purchasing defense is mediocre at best (some notable bad buys include Cygan, Senderos Silvestre)

Outgoing

Adebayor – Man City - 25 million pounds.

Adebayor must have been one of the most-hated players at Arsenal last year after courting the services of AC Milan last year. When he arrived in 2005 winter transfer window, he was a raw attacking player who seemed willing to work on improving his skills. He scored 4 goals in 12 Premier League game that season, 12 in all competitions the next season play with Henry, scored 29 goals the year after and finally scoring 20 goals in all competition last season. He has flashes of brilliance (the volley against Totenham last year and the half-bicycle against Villareal spring to mind) but more often than not, he likes to stray offside and his goal record is very poor for the service he receives. He was a good target man with a terrible first touch and opinions were always divided with him. His workrate decreased when he signed his last Arsenal contract and he always did seem out of place around the tight ball-control midfielders.

Grade: A –

This is a great price for Adebayor as I don’t think he was ever worth this much. Also, with Ade going off to the ACN this season, it made sense to sell now. If we start to play Arshavin in the second striker role and RVP as the lead forward, it may lead to better ball control and finishing. However, Wenger’s insistence on selling his first team squad every year brings about discontinuity and it will take time for Arsenal to adjust to the new playing style and formation.

Kolo Toure – Man City - 16 million pounds.

Kolo Toure was our last remaining player of our “invincible” season and he was often considered the heart of Arsenal. He always gave everything to the team and was loved by the supporters of the club. Bought from the African team AESC for only 250,000 pounds, he started as a utility player and was slowly groomed to the central defense position. He was very raw at first, but extremely hungry and that desire translated all over the pitch in the form of tough tackling and wild shots. Always volunteering to take the 40 yard free-kicks, he exemplified the youthful enthusiasm of his Arsenal teams. However, coming into the last few seasons, he started to suffer from a loss of form, injuries and illnesses. He had disagreements with his central partner Gallas and allegedly submitted a transfer request last January. Man City has been trying to find a defensive anchor and they found a pretty good one in Toure.

Grade: B

This is good business again for an unhappy player who is arguably not even first choice anymore. However, for sentimental and leadership reasons, this should’ve not been a sale. Toure provides that winning experience and Arsenal clearly was defined by him. Also, he would have provided quality depth at both the backup central and right defense position.

Quick Thoughts on Formations

I think Wenger will experiment with the 4-3-3 because it allows for more creative players and some central midfield solidarity but will stick to his traditional 4-4-2. Arsenal’s pass and move style is perfectly suited to the 4-2-2 because of the interchangability of the positions. The 4-3-3 is more rigid and has more defined roles by the formation because each position would have very specific responsibilities. Another reason why the 4-3-3 would not work is because the wingers need to stay wide to provide width and all of Arsenal’s wide players (beside Walcott) like to drift inside.