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So, typical summer, not a lot significant happening on the transfer
front as usual. Papers linking us with all sorts of players and
insisting that others are leaving. Even the now-traditional
nonsense about Vieira leaving. Oh, what's that you say...?
OUT: VIEIRA to Juventus. July 14th, 20million euros (see club statement with comments from Patrick & Le Boss).
What's most remarkable about this
move, after the hysterics of previous summers, is that most
Arsenal fans have taken it pretty calmly. Of course, we'll miss
him, and opposition players will be pleased not to have to face
him again in the Premiership. But, while he's still a great player,
we all know that he's not the force he once was (as reflected by
the fee, half that
which was once bandied about). And there's no question that we
missed Gilberto, during his long absence last season, more than
we missed Vieira when he wasn't available. Most of the worried
emails I've received in connection to Vieira's departure have
been in relation to the fact that Edu was allowed to leave as well.
I guess Edu just didn't want to stay, and we have to trust for now
that the youngsters that came through so spectacularly last year,
plus Gilberto, plus a new face or two, will prove Wenger right to
cash in on Vieira while he could still fetch a decent price.
The first big question in many minds was "who's going to be club
captain?". And my own first thought was Dennis Bergkamp, for his
last year, letting others try it on for size when he's not playing.
But in hindsight Thierry Henry has to be the right choice. He
always plays, when he's fit, he's intelligent and eloquent and
could hardly be more respected, he's got a good temperament, and he
loves the club.
Some people had wondered, thinking back to when Vieira got the captaincy,
if it'd be used again to help persuade someone to stay. But as
Ashley himself admits, he's not the sharpest tool in the box,
and while we're pleased he's staying, giving him the armband
as a reward would have been a big mistake.
Anyway, as (nearly) always, we wish the departing Paddy all the
best in the rest of his career, except when he's playing against
Arsenal. Here's hoping Juventus get drawn against Man Utd and not
us, in the Champs League this year. Would be great to see him
going in hard on Keane, van Nistelrooy, et al, without having to worry
so much about the risk of suspension.
Incidentally, did anyone else notice the amusing headline-truncation on NewsNow this afternoon. Couldn't help but click on the link "Arsène Wenger - Robert Pires is going now." Nice to discover that the full headline for the story on the official site actually ends with the word "nowhere"!
More transfer updates to come...
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