Why are people complaining about Koscielny?

You just can’t please some people, can you?

I think it’s widely acknowledged by all Arsenal fans everywhere, that we do not have the financial power that clubs like United (for now!), Madrid or Barca have. We have never asked for record breaking transfers, just to see players of suitable quality brought in, as opposed to cost cutters like Silvestre.

Yet people are still finding faults with the signings of Chamakh (free), Koscielny (£ 8.5 million) and potentially Joe Cole (free). But tell me, are they not improvements on Bendtner, Silvestre and Diaby? Undoubtedly. In fact, some people are saying that we paid over the top for Koscielny?!

Really, what is there to complain about? Chamakh is in on a free, his goal scoring record is not the most impressive but his aerial ability is, Koscielny is the big, physical presence we’ve all wanted and Joe Cole is the big name, play maker that we’ve needed. Sure, his wages may be high but we’re paying no transfer fee and we’ve taken risks with injured players before. They are aged 26, 25 and 28 respectively so you can’t complain about a lack of experience.

I was a huge fan of Gallas this season, but in the four years he’s been with us, he’s never completed a whole season and that says a lot. Because of that, we were forced to play Mikael Silvestre in a champions league quarter final. Yes, we should have been better prepared in that area, but let’s not dwell on that now.

Koscielny has played in the top division in France – a place where a lot of our best players have come from. He’s big, strong and has a good header on him, I don’t see the problem? I’m going to trust Wenger’s judgment on this one. Once upon a time, doubts were raised over Wenger’s ability to bring in good, defensive players but the likes of Sagna and Vermaelen have proven us wrong. He rarely gets it wrong and I don’t believe that he would give Lorient an 800% profit on their player if he was no good. Yes, he could be the next Pascal Cygan, but he could just as well be the next Martin Keown.

What I would be disappointed in, is if we didn’t try harder to keep Sol Campbell. Neither Koscielny or Vermaelen are inexperienced, but center backs can always learn. Rather than let them learn themselves, by making mistakes, I would rather have a player of Campbell’s calibre available to teach them. If not, bring back someone like Keown, because there has been a big problem with our defensive a unit and it needs some serious drilling. Communication between full backs and center backs at times has been shocking.

2009/10 central defence options: Gallas, Vermaelen, Silvestre, Campbell, Senderos (2 games)

2010/11 center defence options: Vermaelen, Djourou, Koscienly and ? – Campbell?, Bartley?

We never had a problem with quantity, we had a problem with quality. Even if Campbell stays, I would like us to bring in another center back. There will be times when we will want to rest both our starters or they both may get injured. Campbell did an admirable job, but he struggled to string two games together at times. Djourou has had a whole season out and may take a while to get back to his best. I also think the “right footed” – “left footed” center back balance should be kept. We played Silvestre on the right against Barca and he was wrong footed. Let’s not let that happen again.

I’ve been critical of Wenger and if we indeed do complete the signing of Cole, I will be very pleased with the ambition he has shown. I’m not unreasonable, I don’t want a 35 million pound player. It shows that we’re moving in the right direction.

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Comments

LeeRoyJones says:

June 30, 2010 at 1:26 am

Complaints are understandable.
We need players to walk into the team and improve the 1st team squad. Not spend £8m on a player no-other club is interested in who was playing in the lower leagues the season before and will find the speed and quality of the Prem frightening. This guy is entering and a new world. Not an international, not a top-flight/league player, not a winner. Don’t compare him to Vermaelen. TommyV was Captain of Ajax and an experienced International.
Our defence was woeful last season. Clichy ain’t the World class player deluded fans call him. Sagna seems to have run out of steam after a good start. Gallas was a fool – good player, but a fool. Silvestre was a fool and a shit player. WE NEED A GIANT! Koscieny ain’t that!
Paul Daniels says:

June 30, 2010 at 1:41 am

I see no reason people should be complaining about the signing of kolcielny,cos over the past seasons we the arsenal fans complain about the none arrivals at arsenal and when there’s about to be one we complain about him being inexperience.I think we should give arsene a break cos he deserves better.
Damian says:

June 30, 2010 at 3:06 am

The problem at the back isn,t at the back it,s in the middle Diaby & Denilson are not good enough what Diaby gives we don,t need we need what he doesn,t strength & domination in the middle and cover 4 the back 4 Gallas was great last year Vermaeleen the same so was Sagna so it is obvious they are not the problem
stormid says:

June 30, 2010 at 3:38 am

Break the bank for Pepe…
His stock is low in spain, but he is a utility defender who can also slot into Song’s role. Even 25 million for him would not be wasted.
Danish Gooner says:

June 30, 2010 at 4:13 am

It is rather underwhelming When WENGER PROMISED us only the very best,i have watched Koscielny on Eurosport and he looked far from what we are looking for actually rather shaky but i have promised myself to give Wenger the benefit of the doubt on this on.
Jimmy says:

June 30, 2010 at 5:02 am

I think one of the problems people have is that we could have had Jerome Boeteng for pretty much exactly the same price. And whilst young he’s looked absolute class when i’ve seen him play for Germany this world cup. Man City have got themselves a player.
Be says:

June 30, 2010 at 5:57 am

He is not coming into to replace silvestre he is coming in to replace gallas. Yes he has played in the french top division all of one season. He has never played international football at any level and has never played so much as Europa league football never mind champions league. That’s why people are worried. Considering that 2 or 3million extra would get you simon Kjaer I think its an unbelievable decision from Wenger. However that’s just my opinion here’s hoping that arsenals scouts have made the find of the century.
Keb says:

June 30, 2010 at 6:12 am

Not sure we would have offered Boateng the same contract he is on at Man City. I am not holding my breath on Cole lots of different being said. If we got him it wouldbe class. But we still a defensive midfielder to cover or to rotate along with Alex Song. And We do need anothe rcentre back even if we sign Kosciesny. Gallas is going. Campbell wil prorbabaly go. I dont want the cover centre backs to be Djourou and SIlvestre.
JOEL says:

June 30, 2010 at 6:53 am

If Koscielny was coming into the squad as back-up to Vermaelen and a “Seasoned High Profile Premier League Centre Back”-the likes of Cahill,Jagielka or Haangeland-then we couldn’t complain.But he seems to be the one and only addition to the defensive ranks for this season.Which means that we will have to hope that he’s not another Cygan,that Vermaelen improves further,Djourou stays injury and mistake free and that Ayling proves to be good enough!In addition any new Centre Back has to contend with little to no defensive cover if Song isn’t playing; and a right-back who could never cross a ball but has recently also lost all positional sense when called upon to defend!Watching France and latterly England at the World Cup definitely gave me a sense of Deja Vu and and even greater sense of foreboding!!!
goona1 says:

June 30, 2010 at 6:57 am

Jerome boeteng r avin a laugh!!….hes been a liability throughout the world cup,let crosses in and for a big cant out jump someone at 6 foot….LMAO!!
O_O says:

June 30, 2010 at 7:02 am

I would have preffered Simon Kjaer. But this dude will probably work too since its Le Wenger’s choice.
c says:

June 30, 2010 at 8:18 am

‘ think it’s widely acknowledged by all Arsenal fans everywhere, that we do not have the financial power that clubs like United (for now!), Madrid or Barca have.’ Well this is false to begin with we’re pretty much one of the only top teams in the world with a manageable debt and a business plan. We have funds to match these teams now that Uefa have put those rules in place for 2013 And our turnover isnt far off i think i saw some where we make the 3rd most money in europe.

However i think Koscielny will be useful addition but i do believe we need to target one or 2 players of world class calibre. Has said alot this year that Campbell has come back and shown that for me. So wouldn’t nessacarily cost that much but if a player in his 30′s is still in a good shape, only have to see gilbertos performance another one i wouldnt mind back as competent cover. However i think centre midfield is our strongest area, i’d like to see another defender aswell as koscielny who is more experienced at a higher level so someone like Marquez could be a shout as i heard he wants out of Barca.

A keeper with Howard being my first choice, i think hes proven that hes pretty solid and it could be the right time for him to move to a big club.

I think we should then look at a scoring midfield player like Pires. Affelay has looked good for Holland and i think he has the potential to get goals i think he racked them up about two seasons ago but he def would fit into our style of play aswell alongside RVP. Silva would be another i’d consider and i dont see why a one off big signing would harm us in anyway, but looks like city have probably got him. Spend Money to make Money.
popgunner says:

June 30, 2010 at 9:08 am

yes, we need one more centre back, even if campbell stays. He means a lot in dressing room and training. And we need pepole like Keown. In past, when our defence have a problems, they call Keown and he work very well. But i think that was’t long term contract. Maybe now is new oportuniti for legend like him.
BigL says:

June 30, 2010 at 10:46 am

I can’t help but think that our best chance to dominate the league has been and gone.
Over the years we have weakened letting key players go instead of strengthened when we had the opportunity. Now we are in the position of having a weak team needing to strengthen to get back on par with teams like United and Chelsea, and having to compete with Man City who can buy whoever they want.

While Man City strengthens with £25 million pound superstar signings we’re still looking around the Ikea ranger of players hoping that they will become superstars of the future.

Arsenal till I die, but have low expectations.