The Mail Bag
Arteta: Time to shuffle the deck?
Comments (27)
OK, so its looks like the worst may be about to happen as Barca have come a calling for Arteta. We all know he wants to go back to Spain, and this would be a dream move for the lad.
I'm surprised it's Barca as they are well stocked in midfield (and skint!) but as soon as the move for Fabregas fell flat, they have identified a Spanish alternative out of the top drawer, though he may well see out his career warming their bench. If it's his dream move than we can't really stand in his way. Sad for us but that's life!
So what can we get for him? Anything less than £15m is an insullt, but we are unlikely to get over £20m. We will struggle to be able to attract a ready made replacement of that kind of class, but it gives us the funds to stock up in other areas of the team. Landon Donovan for one, cover at centre back and back up on the left of defence are key.
What Arteta brings to the team is irreplacable so we may have to play a different way, assuming Fellaini picks up where he left off last term, Pieenar was excellent in the centre alongside him but will be missed too much on the left, shame! Osman is better through the middle and would get games for sure, but lacks presence and grit.
If we are to remain a good footballing side we are going to have to rely on Rodwell to step up and make attacking midfield his own (defensive midfield or defence was always going to be a criminal waste of his passing and eye for goal, in my opinion).
This could be his time, and room needed to be made for him to get into midfield and blossom as the player he has threatened to become for the last 18 months. Failing all that give Bily a run at it because he sure as hell can't play anywhere else on the park.
Ian Trickett, Posted 03/08/2010 at 20:08:49
Comments
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
At least that's what I hope.
He is so influential to us... if we lose him I think we'll struggle to replace him.... and I think it'll be a return to hoofball - as there's nobody close to Arteta in terms on playmaking. Arteta presence is also vital to Fellaini. Fellani's best form has coincided with Arteta being on the pitch...
The big man could lose his way if he's expected to be the shinning light in central midfield. I don't think he likes that pressure.
< br />We could be in serious trouble...lets hope its bollocks..
And the constant bashing Bily is getting seems harsh to me.
This a red herring to force Arsenal's hand. Fabregas is going to Arsenal, don't worry about that. It's just a matter of when, and judging by his comments yesterday to their fans ("see you soon"), it will be at the end of the transfer window.
Meanwhile Arteta is not going to another PL club. He may not sign a new contract, and then leave on a free in 2 years time to go to Spain, but that doesn't mean he won't be an Everton player this season.
UTV live reported that Steve Davies of Glasgow Rangers is close to signing for Everton. As it has not been picked up by ToffeeWeb, i'm presuming, and hoping with all my heart, that it's a mistake.
Because if true, it gives credence to the Barcelona/Arteta story.
Davies is NOT Everton quality.
UTV live!!! Says it all. Do you mean Steve 'Interesting' Davies would be the replacement for the Best Little Spaniard We Know?
I've heard it all now.
For the rest, have to go along with the group here. Arteta to broke-ass Barcelona? From what orifice will they shit the 20 mil Moyes will demand? The banks just bailed them out; couldn't make payroll for God's sake. So much for Big Money CL Super-powers, eh?
Of course, Arteta would have it a lot easier there. Barcelona, Real Madrid and a league full of cannon fodder. But is he really anxious to trade being The Man on an EPL contender for fringe duty in an inferior league? He seems pretty confortable as the center of attention at EFC to me.
You know here in the States, ESPN on-line covers the EPL thoroughly. There's all the usual x-fer window talk of course. With that, Everton is easily the least-talked about big club as far as x-fers. If it wasn't for the LD business, EFC wouldn't be mentioned on ESPN at all (MLS and Galaxy know they're full of shit with the numbers they're talking. And with Landon all but screaming he wants out. Not making themselves look too professional, I hate admitting. Of course the quality of play is inferior, but MLS really is a well-run league. Oh well).
We need this x-fer window to shut, so all this nonsense will come to an end. The only traveling Arteta does this season is in leading us up the Table.
It's bit like suggesting that Barcelona are interested in Arteta, we say 'we don't want to sell' and they say, right, 'we'll go for Steven Davies at Rangers'. Does that make Moyes go, 'hang on a minute, let's negotiate for Arteta then'?
What the heck are you on about?
http://www.imscouting.com/global-news-article/Spanish-report-Barcelona-have-eyes-only-for-Arsenals-Fabregas-not-Evertons-Mikel-Arteta/9250/?
Now why is it I do not take the D Mail seriously on this?
and as for...
I'm surprised it's Barca as they are well stocked in midfield (and skint!).
------
They have let it be known that they have a 50 million euro transfer kitty. I wish we were that skint!
I think the argument is that if Arsenal are holding out for as much money as possible, then Barca calling their bluff and saying "fine we have other options to go after, adios" may lessen Arsenals stance and accept a lesser offer, better to get £25m ish in the hand than hold out for £30m and get sod all. It's all bollocks though, we held out with Lescott when City tried a similar thing with Upson last summer.
But surely that strategy would only make sense if the argument was over transfer fee?
e.g. Villa wanted £15M for Gareth Barry. L'fool didn't wanna pay it - hence the breakdown in negotiation. But the negotiation regarding price.
But Arsenal DON'T want to sell. They're not gonna win the Premiership WITH him, they have even LESS chance without him. You know that, I know that, Wenger knows that - in fact the whole world knows that which is WHY they DON'T want to sell.
So how does Barcelona going for Arteta make Wenger think 'Sh1t, I'd better sell'?
Danny - cheers for trying to clear it up but I still don't get it!!! :-(
Some people have been so sure of themselves eith posts like "Given that Arteta's off who should we sign?" ditto for Pienaar.
The worst one for me was the story that Jagielka was getting an operation on his knee "it may already be done" according to some circles. After receiving a knock he was withdrawn from training and the upcoming friendly v Norwich as a precautionary measure only to return to training at the beginning of the week (see the official site photos for SUBSTANTIATED evidence)......yet somehow this was blown out of all proportion and some of the weaker minds had our early season written off. Seriously who the fuck starts this stuff off?
And why do the TW editors put rumours on about Jagielka's knee into the Rumour Mill? Surely this is "News" and should be posted on the homepage once it has been confirmed.
I am not focusing on the mind games tactics of the market, the point i am stateing with that link is the response from barca.
"Sport? reports that even if Arteta were interested in a move to the Catalan giants, Barcelona president Rossell is not keen on a deal and if he is not able to sign Fabregas, Rossell will end the search for a creative midfielder for now.
I have no idea how the credable the source is but it looks better news now than it did yesterday, Could have been his agent for all we know trying to squeeze every last £ out of a new contract.
Xavi is one of the most creative players i have ever seen (and i am only 23), Iniesta is just as good, As much as i love Mikel theres no way he comes close to them two.
Sorry, breakdown in communication there, when you said danny i throught you ment myself.
Back to Arteta posts ?
They are trying to force Fabregas' hand, not Arsenal's. The next move in this saga is for Fabregas to declare his own intentions.
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment to the MailBag, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and MailBag submissions across the site.
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
-sm.jpg)
1 Posted 03/08/2010 at 23:01:37
Report abuse