As you are aware the buzz at the moment (and for quite some time now) has been about Franck Ribery potentially joining Arsenal. But with the debate about Ashley Cole's loyalty raging on, isn't about time we looked at what we could be getting our selves into?
Firstly let's look at Ribery's record of previous employers:
2001-2002 - US Bologna
2002-2003 - Olympique Ales
2003-2004 - Stade Brestois 29
2004-2005 - FC Metz
2005-2005 - Galatasary
2005-2006 - Olympique Marseille
So if he where to come to Arsenal that would be an unnerving 7 clubs in 5 years.
He's no stranger to controversy either, having simply walked out on his contract at Galatasary, however he did claim unpaid wages.
His word doesn't seem to be worth much either, a few weeks ago he said this:
"I have a contract that lasts for four more years and for four years I am at Marseille. I love this club, the people and the fans."
Only for days later to say he wants out of the club.
"My wish is to leave Marseille,"Now he's a fine player and I know there are two sides to every story, I'm not one to judge a book by its cover. However with the stories of Reyes and Cole wanting out of the club, this is something to be wary about.
"I want to play in the Champions League and to keep improving. The (Marseille) club officials know where I want to go and the club I wish to sign for also know it. Now they have to reach an agreement."
Without knowing both sides its difficult to comment. Ribery has admitted making mistakes in the past & had a bad upbringing so at least he doesnt claim to be something his not. From his previous comments though it definately seems as if he was tapped up by someone, I suspect it was probably Lyon & I certainly hope it wasnt arsenal. Would love to see him arrive but genuinely dont think he will.
agree...but think he will settle well for us,he needs a long contract,backing,find his feet...don`t want Jose to go but seems for sure now....drop Ribery and buy Vicente from Valencia or swap Robinho/Reyes!!!
Part of the reason for his many moves are his talents were only discovered late and he has since progressed fast. Each one of the these moves was a step up, with Arsenal, obviously, the pinnacle.
Seems like it was Lyon all along as they have officially lodged a 14.9 million pound bid for ribery. Another one bites the dust..............NEXT!!
"with Arsenal, obviously, the pinnacle."
Until he joins West Ham that is :)
Lyon doesn't have that type of money to spend on a player:(
With or without Ribery arrival, I hope Reyes goes. To me, he is simply overrated.
Anyway we need players with hearts. Those who wanna go, let them go.
Ribery can NOT possibly move to another club unless Galatasaray as well as Marseille receives transfer fee..It is pathetic that english media dont even know that Ribery `s registeration is with Galatasaray and since he refused to play for them and claimed that he was not paid for 3 months during the season before last and galatasaray counter claiming that they have a document with his signature confirming him receiving the money, Ribery is still subject to a FIFA investigation and decision.
Ribery played for Marseille with a TEMPORARY LICENCE last season and unless Galatasaray is satisfied he can not move to another club because according to FIFA rules a player can not have a TEMPORARY LICENCE for another club but L`OM only.
Anyone wants to sign Ribery will pay not only Marseille for his services but also Galatasaray and unless they consent ,he can not move.
English media constantly publishing wrong and misleading information for the sake of selling papers full of rumours.
Why would Real want Reyes anyways?! They have a shit load of forwards and attacking midfielders. Ronaldo, Van Nistlerooy, Raul, Cassano, Robinho, Baptista.
we bought wiltord who went on striek at bordeaux so it wouldn't be the first time.
Because Gelbs you twat none of them are wingers.
Ribery is illiterate on a reyes-level. That could explain his many clubs (failure to settle) and having found a place where his talents are cherished, Marseille, he flourished.
Plus, he seems to have a definite choice of club. If that is Arsenal, then it is clear he has a desire to play for us, for Arsene. That is good enough for me. If a player is willing to give up everything Ribery has at Marseille to play for us, then I think thats a positive, not a negative.
This whole situation makes me nervous because, while I trust Wenger's judgment on players' talents and mentalities, Ribery really does seems like a bit of a knucklehead.
I loved watching his movement, pace and all the rest at the World Cup, but it's worth noting that most of it came to nothing. Even an American commentator spotted the fact that the guy doesn't seem to know when do something full-out, when to ease up, when to go for the lung-bursting run, when to glide into position, etc. -- in other words, the opposite of Henry.
All that doesn't even start to take in the vagabond history, the statements contradicted and so forth.
At least with Reyes we know what we've got. He's totally committed on the pitch and surprisingly popular -- with players and fans -- off it. And he's a great passer, especially in concert with TH. We talk about Jose like he's been a bust and he was second in the league in assists last year.
I'm hoping Reyes will have a change of heart and stick around. Remember that all these quotes -- at least since the fake radio interview -- have come from his agent and all those bloodsuckers are looking for moves to make their commissions. (Check out the thief Barnett who's turned Cashley from an Arsenal hero and potential legend into a guy who may be booed more loudly when Chelsea visit Emirates than any English footballer in history.)
Jose strikes me as one of those genuinely nice people who says whatever the person he's talking to wants to hear. As for his football future, I do believe he'd be excited to go play at Madrid, but I also feel he won't be heartbroken if he stays. This kid will bust his guts for his team wherever it is -- not to mention that the incredibly mature Fabregas, who is almost too mature to be human, can take Jose under his wing and help keep him happy. And Merida will be along soon.
I love all the transfer speculation like everybody else, but I want to win football games more than anything. And I think AW's got it right with this class of kids. There's just unbelievable talent all over the place -- and class guys -- everywhere you look.
Heck, I want that scoring machine Bendtner back as fast as possible. He'll get 20-25 in the Premier League very, very soon.
My ONLY buy might be one more strong ball-winner in midfield, maybe someone like Stephen Appiah, with the money we get for Cole.
Central defenders? Maybe, but hell, Arsene may have stolen another jewel with this Illiasu from Ghana -- who arrived in EXACTLY the same manner as Kolo, who's pretty damn good if I remember properly.
I've gone on too long, but my original point is that fans want to buy everybody -- and only Chelsea gets to do that. And sometimes it really isn't a good idea.
In this case (Ribery), I suspect it might not be.
Now if Mourinho wants to have a serious chat about Gallas, well now, that's another story entirely. I'd rather have Gallas than almost any available player in the world -- seriously -- because of OUR club's needs.
Hell, if Gallas will sign a three-year deal, I'd trade him even-up for Cole -- crazy as it sounds. You notice Mourinho isn't mentioning anything about that possibility. He wants Cashley at Stamford Bridge and Gallas in Spain.
Well, to hell with him. Let's make these deals on OUR terms instead of worrying about Chelsea or Real Madrid or Reyes or Cole or anybody else.
Well Reyes is a winger/striker twat. And I should of made it more clearer anyway. And that is how would Real Madrid satisfy 6 strikers even if Reyes doesn't sign.
Appiah is not worth buying already played for Fenerbahce in Dinamo Kiev tonight and can not play in Europe for another club besides Fenerbahce will never sell him,they dont need the money.
Ribery deal will not suit Arsenal..Lyon will pay £15 million to L`OM + £5 million to Galatasaray..Arsenal can not afford him.
Hey, Gelbs, I know all about the stick you get for jumping on AW and insisting the team is shit and so forth -- which is too bad, because some of the shouting matches that naturally follow obscure a few really solid points.
Just now you pointed out that Madrid would have no use for Reyes, which just simply isn't true. In his own element, in Spain, free to cut loose on the wing, he's a completely different player than what you see at Arsenal.
Remember the Real players jokingly asking him if he were riding a hidden motor scooter when he was tormenting them all over the pitch during his days at Sevilla?
Now THAT is the Jose Antonio Reyes they will remember in Madrid, so while they won't break the bank for him, he most certainly could walk straight into the starting XI and be a fan hero from the first day.
Now, having said that, where does it leave Arsenal?
If you saw my earlier post, I'm not keen on replacing Reyes with Ribery (assuming it's even possible). One of the things I like about most of Arsene's signings is that they're intellingent guys who grasp the game (Hleb, Rosicky, even young Walcott is going to turn out to be in that mold).
So what I'd like to ask right now is: If you use a spending cap of say 25 million in money from potential sales of Cole and Reyes, is there someone at Real (Baptista, Robinho) or elsewhere (M.Diarra) who REALLY makes sense for Arsenal?
Is there someone the club could buy that would make Henry say, "Whoa! Sorry I ever gave that interview"?
C'mon, Gelbs. Instead of shooting down everyone else's thoughts, give us your shot. Spend 20 or 25 million on one (or two) players that will TRULY impact this current Arsenal team.
Who knows? Maybe Arsene is reading and waiting for your answer.
Slightly unfair. Galatasaray was on loan, and he's only just made that step up to top class football. Maybe he only needs a big club in order to settle down.
Don't really rate Ribery, to be honest - losing Reyes will be sad, but if he wants to go he has to go. I'd demand Robinho in return, maybe even shipping them a bit of cash into the bargain. He's even more talented, and has the same versatility.
And we know we wanted him before.
Although I do fear that Wenger really meant what he said - if we sell Reyes, it could well be that he signs nobody at all to replace him.
I am sure ribery would be a good addition to arsenal , but in stiil think gallas would be better. We have rosicky , ljumberg, reyes , hleb , van persie, but in case reyes leaves , we'd have to add ribery, eventhough it 'd be cool if got gallasfor cole and just ribery
Missed the last week or so cos I have been in Alkmaar and Zagreb, but let me guess, Gelbs has been posting on here about we Zagreb would turn us over ten nil and how we're wouldn't be strong enough? In which case Gelbs let me say, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
I'm not fussed about Ribery either we have plenty of options in that area. I think the only additions I would really like to see are Robinho & Baptista (last years targets) and if that means losing Reyes to Madrid I can live with that, as much as I'd love to see him stay.
Dont worry he is going to Lyon, they have just made a bid, £14.5mill. and his prefered club. With Reyes wanting out as well as Cole, there somthing wrong at Arsenal at the moment. herd through the grape vine that the squad apart from the youngones cant stand Henry and his massive Ego. He really thinks a lot of himself. and dont mind who knows it. Champell and Henry came to blows on a few occasions last season. Midtable Beckons
Err. How was I shooting down someone elses comments?! I was clearly pointing out about how would Real keep all their strikers happy? I never said Real wouldn't need Reyes. Just got me thinking about all the attackers Real have in their squad. All big names and hard to see them all play.
Either way, I have changed my mind about Arsenal needing a centre-back. I am fairly happy with Toure, Senderos and Djourou and even Hoyte being played left back this season. Give him a good run out. He is English and deserves a chance. Who knows, he could turn out to be a revelation. Only signing we need more than anything is a tough fucker in the centre of the park. An out-and-out ball winner and someone who can drive the team forward. Possibly a forward too. But Adebayor could score a fair amount of goals. If there is one possible problem, that is judging on last season, that none of our midfielders score goals. Hleb can't, Rosicky isn't a regular net hitter, Gilberto certainly isn't, Ljungberg no longer is, and Fabregas might after last nights showing. As it stands, Henry, Adebayor and Van Persie are the main goal scoring threats. Before we would have someone like Pires and Ljungberg chipping in. This isn't a dig at these players, just a valid point. Rosicky can score but his goal-scoring record down the years isn't exactly brilliant. Although he is a quality buy. Guess we shall see. And finally, it looks like Henry isn't happy with the current squad. Don't blame him and wonder if he is having slight doubts about committing his future...
The main reason is only a late discovery of his huge talent and nothing else.
I was really struggling to resist replying to such a stupid comment as Rich Ragoons - but i cant help myself.
You are a total Bell End.
You know nothing about football.
Now please go and stick your head in an oven.
i think people should lay off gelbs...he's a negative fucker and definitely a miserable old pessimist git (no offence mate), however, everyones entitled to their opinion, and any opinion that seems slightly critical of the club is leaped upon with accusations of disloyalty and/or supporting a rival team....questioning the team or the teams tactics does not mean you arent a supporter...im not saying that i agree with most of his comments (which i dont), but this puritanical trust in arsenal and all its staff where none can do wrong is stupid and debate and criticism is just as welcome as messages of support just as long as they are intelligent and thought out rather than childish streams of expletives
you would think you lot were a bunch of religious fanatics or somethign
I just had a look at Gelbs' blog. There's nothing there but an advert for
'Ladies Shoes. Viva La Diva'! Says it all really.
I want to keep Cole, and I want to keep Reyes. They are both good players that we would find it hard to replace adequately straight away. Bollocks to next year or the year after that, we want quality now.
I get payed each time someone clicks on those ads. You wasted time in making a blog as no-one seems bothered to leave any comments on yours. Says it all really.
An entirely pointless discussion. The Ribery thing is all paper talk anyway...
I have had this feeling all along that Gelbs was a bird. Now i think its confirmed "ladies shoes, viva la diva" Yep definately of the female species that one. 1 game in and Gelbs starts to change his tune about all these superstar players we need. CB not needed now because of a young jonny foreigner and no mention of how crappy Cygan is.
Anyway i dont feel we will get Ribery and Reyes may yet stay. Id like to see him on the new pitch, hel be a lot more dangerous there i feel. Chelski trying to play hardball with the cole transfer i see. We may be keeping cole too afterall. Good or bad thing ?
Ribery has agreed personal terms with lyon and it looks like he is set to go there. With regards to the comment that 'Lyon don't have that kind of money'. Well perhaps you should actually find something out about the club before making wild comments. Lyon have been winning the French Lige 1 for so long it makes Chelsea look very poor indeed. They have a huge fan base and have far more money that arsenal to spend on players. Essien was at Lyon before moving for 24m for example.
Well, it looks like this Gelbs character has been found out. Seems to me like our preseason has been a success on the pitch but non in the boardroom or in the fans' homes. Too many departures and a sense of too few arrivals. At this point it is becoming more apparent that this season is, once again, going to be one of transition. Thats should have been obvious when Sol, Freddie and Pires had career slumps in a rebuilding year (any other year would have been tolerable). And then before the transition phase can be completed, Sol, Dennis, Pires, Cole and possibly Reyes leave. Now as far as I am concerned, this year was destined to be as difficult if not more difficult than last. I thank my stars that preseason seems to be pointing otherwise. Buying stars will not nullify the effects of all the change that has and is taking place. It will only magnify them. What better way to stabilise affairs than to have players from within the team, albeit from the reserves step up to the plate. I for one, am hopeful for the season but realistic enough to accept its potential shortcomings.
Ribery, will be a great player someday. Its a question of whether our clamouring for him is borne of a need to feel more secure for the season or a need for big name buys that may not mean anything in the end. He is not needed, in my estimation, for the success of this season. Buy him if we wish to appease TH inm some way (we promised him ambition, and I guess buying is the only currency for ambition in this world of football) Buy him if we are willing to nurture him to become the star he would be alongside a grown up Cesc, Djourou, Adebayor, Van Persie etc. Dont buy him to fix this season and the next, his production will not exceed what Reyes would produce over that time. If we want an optimal signing, one who would impact our the oncoming season the most, get a friggin CM, tall, strong, imperious in the air and in the tackle. SIMPLE. We are sllowly turning into the shortest and panciest team in the EPL.
Forget Ribery, he has just played for Marseille in the UEFA cup so he is,nt going to you. god i hate Arsenal!
Franck is way better than most players out there and he deserves to be on the very best team or wherever he chooses!