Saturday 14 January 2012

Possible Loan Left Back Options


Thierry Henry entered the field last Monday with less than 25 minutes remaining on the clock. A weakened Arsenal team were struggling, tied in a 0-0 deadlock with the lower ranked Leeds United a Championship level club. It took him less than 10 minutes to score the winner, a well-placed shot across the keeper from a ball sent through by Alex Song. Henry may not be the player he once was, at 34 he plays primarily in the MLS (major league soccer) and scores at a rate of roughly a goal every two games, though his performance on Monday has arguably already justified his return and as importantly demonstrated to Arsenal the potential value of a loan deal. Arsenal are currently undergoing an injury crisis with their full-back positions the worst hit. With first choice options of Barcary Sagna, Kieren Gibbs and Andre Santos all with long term injuries and many of their replacements now also in the treatment room (Thomas Vermaeleen, Francis Coquelin, Tom Jenkinson) Arsene and the board must seriously consider a short term loan deal in the January transfer window.
The media are constantly throwing names into the basket, and while no names have yet been mentioned Wenger has admitted that he is honestly considering a loan deal and that it would be stupid to drop points when they have that option. Noted below is the various players who have been mentioned in the media and who would potentially be available and willing to agree to a short term deal.


Wayne Bridge
On a salary of £90,000 per week Wayne Bridge is Manchester City’s unused 3rd choice left back, recently when Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini was asked what Bridge did when the game was on, Mancini responded “ I don’t know, golf?”. At 31 he is past his prime and no longer In the England squad either, his playing potential is only that really of a mid-tier club and the fact that he is not playing matches at all would be a worrying factor. Though Arsenal have been highly linked to him (mainly because he’s British) this is a very unlikely transfer, it’s highly improbable Arsene will not be willing to pay anywhere near his salary, especially for a player of his limited ability with extremely limited playing time. On the other side of the coin Manchester City are looking for a permanent solution to getting him off their pay salary and while they may consider a loan spell to lower their wage bill, a loan to a premier league rival will not be high on their priority list. Overall, Bridge is destined for an exit sooner or later, but Arsenal will not be willing to make him the highest paid player at the club even for a short term basis.


Taye Taiwo
A Ligue 1 (French league) team of the year member 3 times, 2008, 2009 and 2011, Taiwo was transferred to AC Milan where he is now discontent with his amount of time sitting on the bench. The 25 year old has voiced his concern and desire to play more and will be available for club football throughout January since Nigeria didn’t qualify for the African Cup of Nations. While it’s unkown of Taiwo’ willingness to relocate for a short term basis, the offer of premier league football would certainly appeal. Taiwo is however cup tied to AC Milan in the Champions League and will then only be available for their other matches based in England such as the premier league and FA Cup. AC Milan may also not be keen to lend one of their players to the team they next face in the knock out round of 16 in the Champions League cup bound or not. All in all a loan move for Taiwo is possible but does seem rather unlikely.


Aly-Cissokho
A player with champions league experience, Aly-Cissokho is almost certain to leave Lyon in the January transfer period. Rumours are flying that Lyon are offering him to English clubs (Arsenal in particular) for £8 million. Various reports on the internet contradict with some indicating that Lyon are keen to offload him permanently while others are reporting that Lyon are keen for him to go out on a six month loan with a buy option at the end of the loan as a means of trying to increase his price tag. Disregarding that, the important thing to note is that the player himself has noted England as his chosen destination and if a loan move is indeed possible it leaves Arsenal as a club very much open as an option.  While Cissokho is a sound defender, his willingness to go forward is very limited and during his time at Lyon he has contributed very little in the way of goals and assists (quite opposite to regular first team recruit Andre Santos), notably at 24 he has scored the second highest amount of own goals ever scored in League 1 which is a little bit daunting. Cissokho would however be a great short term replacement, though Lyon must recognise that Arsenal already have two left backs and that a permanent deal is unlikely to be on the cards (especially since he is arguably no better than either Gibbs or Santos), if however they are acceptable to these conditions it is indeed possible that he could end up at the Emirates stadium on a loan deal with the possibility of a buy option.

Of course Arsene being the tight purse spender that he is choosing not to sign a left back at all and wait for the return of Gibbs is also a real likelihood that wouldn’t surprise many.  If you had the funds available who would you as manager sign on a short term loan?

Matthew Ritchie