Bolton Pre-Preview: Gary Cahill Transfer Nonsense

By: Homey | September 22nd, 2011

Cahill pic
This will be just a short one to hold everyone over until we post our preview. Darren will be by later to do the formal preview, and I think Señor Fluffer’s owner is going to do the recap this time around. Hopefully Brenton can do his usual live bloggery, and I can just relax and watch.

Anyway, during the buildup to the match on Saturday, there has been quite a bit of talk about Gary Cahill, and his possible transfer to Arsenal in January. Where is it all coming from? Owen Coyle, Bolton’s manager, of course. The same manager who said that “derisory doesn’t even cover” Arsenal’s August bid for Cahill. Now Coyle seems to have changed his tune about both Wenger and Cahill. About Wenger, Coyle said that “he is the perfect fit for Arsenal.” And about Cahill, Coyle said that he wouldn’t be surprised if Arsenal comes back with an offer in January, although Coyle expects other clubs to make bids as well.

I strongly suspect that all of this talk is simply a way for Coyle to announce that his prize asset is up for sale to the highest bidder. This makes sense in light of the fact that Cahill could leave for nothing next summer, plus the fact he’s been a bit inconsistent thus far this season. Naturally, plenty of bloggers and pundits are rushing in to say this would be a great move for Arsenal, and would shore up our defensive problems. I’ll try to address this in two ways.

First, the notion that Arsenal would sign Cahill ended at precisely the same moment that Mertesacker landed in North London. There’s positively no way that Wenger is going to spend roughly £10 million on a player in August, and then spend even more than that at the same position in January. And then relegate the same £10 million pound player to perhaps as low as 4th in the pecking order at central defense. It’s just complete and utter rubbish. Now, would many of us have preferred to see Arsenal purchase Cahill instead of Mertesacker in August? Yes, most definitely. And am I the sort of blogger to second-guess Wenger after decisions are already made, and it’s time to move on already? Errr… ok, don’t answer that. Yes, I’ve been known to ask a few pointed questions. But still, the window has closed, and the possibility of seeing Cahill in an Arsenal shirt within the next year has closed as well.

Next, I’ll briefly consider whether it would be a good move for Arsenal even if that sort of speculation weren’t complete nonsense. Look, adding a quality veteran with international experience is pretty much never a bad thing, if money isn’t a problem. But since our club operates in the real world, with a budget that has a sense of sanity to it, a move for Cahill is simply not money well spent. In theory, that would push Koscielny to our third (or fourth) CD option, and Mert would be our fourth (or third) option. That’s a pretty expensive bench we would have. Now I know that Man Utd and others have similar money invested in bench players, but they operate at a different monetary level, to say the least.

So for me, if we were to spend money in January, Cahill would add something good, but the money would be much better spent elsewhere. And I feel quite strongly that Wenger sees it this way as well. What we need to do right now is to try to focus on three main objectives, with the players already on board: 1) Stop kicking the ball into our own net. 2) Stop getting players sent off. 3) Stop playing a pathetic offside trap, allowing opposing players to slice us open while still being onside. It seems to me that we have enough quality on the team right now to at least do these three things, and I believe that would solve about 2/3 of the problems that have plagued us so far this season.

My plan is to write a much longer and more detailed look ahead to the January window, and to post that blog sometime during the October interlull. I’ll be looking at various things like loan possibilities, transfers in, transfers out, what our needs are, and so forth. So if you’re already wanting to talk about the transfer market, you’ll have to wait at least a couple more weeks for a comprehensive discussion. But for today, this will have to suffice.

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The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21.

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Category: Arsenal News, Arsene Wenger, Bolton, Transfer News and Player Movement

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SJGgumby

Um, so when was the last time you "relaxed" while watching Arsenal play? Is that even possible? You must have meant to use a different word.
Darren_V

That's easy. The Borussia Dortmond game.

The 2nd time I watched it.
Rico

I would much rather have 3 strong centre backs (Cahill, TV5 and Mert) competing for the 2 spots in the team, leaving the other one fighting for his place, then having to rely on putting Djourou or Squillaci in. So am inclined to disagree that £10 million for Cahill would be money not spent well. If we can off load Djourou and Squillaci and use the money as part of the Cahill buy that would replace weakness with strength and experience in our defence.
FredJacob

I think Kos should be considered a strong CB dont you
Rico

Oops yes he is a strong CB, nothing against him. My point was to replace the dead weight Djourou and Squillaci with another strong CB and consider that as money well spent.
Patoux21

Can you believe that Djourou was our best CB in the first half of last season and I though he actually played quite well during this period. Now it's like he has caught the Squillaci illness
Rico

Yeah I heard that, but he makes costly mistakes. The mistakes you can not afford to make if you are a premier league team, never mind a top 4 side.
Homey_Mills

Yes, I understand the thought about Cahill vs. Djourou. And I don't disagree in the sense that yes, of course it would help the team. But it's more of a luxury purchase, more than a true need at this point. So if funds were unlimited, I'd say go for it. With funds being limited to a budget, I'd spend somewhere else.
Patoux21

I think it would be a luxury if Vermaelen stays healthy. What we need more is a reliable back-up for in the sides either Gibbs or Sagna before they burn out. Djourou can't play in this position that's for sure. Eboue used to be Sagna's back-up for years wtf ...
Arsenal Fan

Plus don't forget that there is a good chance other teams will be looking at Cahill. For example, Liverpool may be looking to replace Carragher soon and Cahill would fill the bill.
brenton

Also, Ledley King's middle name is Brenton.
brenton

Totally irrelevant: Would you take Unai Emery as a replacement for Wenger? Four successful seasons at Valencia while having to sell his best players, playing some of the most exciting football in La Liga, a tactical wizard, young, well-dressed, etc.
Patoux21

Get the Emirates jet to Gus Hiddink on the way to the Emirates and tie him after each game before he wants to leave. This coach is world class
Martin

I said the same thing on Twitter yesterday. Certainly should be someone we look at on the short-list for Wenger's replacement. It's always a little risky getting foreign coaches, but his track record is excellent. Then again, so was Juande Ramos's.
Darren_V

I'm actually a fan of Roberto Martínez. Think he could do well with a big club and likes an attractive passing game.
Martin

As you probably know, I also love Martinez. And I think he's done a good job at Wigan (although not as good of a job as he did as a pundit for the World Cup). Arsenal would be an awfully big step up for him, though.
FredJacob

Well if you like marinez so much why don't you follow Wigan then
Darren_V

2+2 does not equal 5 Fred.
brenton

I think Emery would fit our club well. Ramos (and Gasperini) seem to have a style that fits certain clubs' expectations, certain players, etc. Emery has a bit of the Mourinho/AVB thing going on, but less of the crazy ego that Mourinho brings to the table. He's crazy about detail, about stats and so on. Seems to get a lot out of cheaper players.
Homey_Mills

Hmmm... interesting. But you know I don't like to question Wenger though, right?
Gigi_man

hey this is nice, i was reading around and thought "hmm gotta wait for tomorrow 4 the preview" and then i open the site and bam! lil' preview :)
The Cahill situation is funny, seems Coyle regrets now? I agree though Cahills form made me think it was a relief we didnt sign him (ok, okk, he didnt allow 8, i know)
Homey_Mills

Just doing our best to feed the masses around here.
Omar (Peru)

I am worried about the form of Djourou. Maybe the price tag for cahill will be much lower on januari next year.
JG

Crees que seria bueno si Arsenal ficha a Andy Polo?
Martin

I thought English was the official language of this blog. Where's a GOP Presidential Candidate when you need one?
omar

me gustaria ver ¨el loco¨ vargas en el arsenal
brenton

Quien es Andy Polo? Un jugador de Peru?
Gigi_man

oye hablemos màs en español! :)
Homey_Mills

Is that the way you talk to Señor Fluffer when nobody is looking?
FredJacob

Check this video out -- Oxlade-Chamberlain Exclusive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... via @youtube