Welcome Olivier Giroud . . . and an M’Vila update
Arsenal today confirmed the signing of Montpellier and French national, Oliver Giroud. Giroud 25 comes to Arsenal after leading the attack for the surprise Ligue 1 Champion’s and netting 24 goals in all competitions (21 league and 3 in cups).
The signing is the second of the summer for Arsenal as Wenger looks to add more scoring depth to the Roster. Lukas Podolski was announced immediately after the end of the season and together with Giroud represents a major overhaul in the attacking options of the squad. Right now Arsenal look to have one of their best assembled attack forces in recent memory – and that doesn’t include the world’s greatest (in his own mind) striker Nicklas Bendtner.
For certain, the signings provide Arsenal will suitable options based on opponent or in the course of a game coming off the bench.
We’d like to celebrate Giroud’s arrival with our first video produced in conjunction with our new video producer Culann Davies –
Arsene Wenger had this to say on Giroud: “We are delighted to have secured the signing of Olivier Giroud. He has a very good physical presence and is exceptional in the air, with a great work ethic.
“We are excited about Olivier joining us and he will add an additional dimension to our attacking options next season. “He has proved that he is capable of performing at the top level with club and country, and we saw what a big influence he was in Montpellier’s championship-winning side last season. We all look forward to Olivier joining us and seeing him play in an Arsenal shirt.”
For his part, Giroud said it was Wenger’s philosophy and a desire to play in the Premier League that drove him to sign for Arsenal.
“I was attracted by the philosophy of football and Arsene Wenger’s ‘touch’ at this club. I have always admired Arsenal with its great history and reputation, and I now hope to achieve great things here. I’m very proud to be a Gunner and I will give my best for all the Arsenal fans.”
“I am delighted to be here at Arsenal and to be part of one of the great teams in English football. It’s a huge satisfaction to join this great club and it’s been a dream since I was young to play in the Premier League.
We’re all certainly excited both by the signing of Giroud and the club getting things done early in the window.
Yann M’Vila Status
I wanted to do an update to our earlier Yann M’Vila to Arsenal Exclusive. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been checking in and still firmly believe that Yann M’Vila will be an Arsenal player this summer, just not on the timing we announced in May.
First to that – we got it wrong. We first reported it would be after Arsenal’s season finale or the end of Ligue 1. We got it wrong. There we’ve said it twice. Sometimes it happens. Name me one blogger, journalist or news outlet that gets everything correct. Because I’d like to to talk to them about the lottery.
As is always the case with Arsenal nothing is ever as clear cut as it seems.
There are two prevailing thoughts as to what has occurred in the last few weeks:
1. Wenger has lost interest in M’Vila because of his off the field antics. I am not sure I buy into this as the the reported agreement for M’Vila was leaked AFTER his arrest. However, there is the possibility that some of his recent exhibitions of ‘frustration’ as part of the French National team could have made Wenger think twice.
2. Rennes want more money. This seems more likely. I think they expected a bigger market for M’Vila, one of Europe’s more promising youngsters. But early in May Inter (the only other team really linked to him) signed a DM and removed themselves from the sweepstakes. There was a link to Bayern but it seems that was only the agent trying create a market. Bayern came out and said they were looking for a ‘different’ type of player.
Based on what I’ve recently read and what I’ve told I can only deduce that this is a case of Arsenal trying to get the best deal for a player they are the only one’s actively in the market for – right now – and Rennes hoping to get more money for a player that they had hoped more people would come calling for. In the end I believe the deal will get done just not in the time frame we reported back in May.
Arsenal have to be careful though. He is still well regarded in Europe regardless of his antics. Sooner or later someone is going to see the ‘slowness’ of the deal finalizing as an opportunity pull a ‘Mata’ with this deal. Arsenal have already moved quite fast on Podolski and Giroud. If they sign M’Vila early in July it would be significant business for three players combined costing less than Torres and all done before the frantic part of the transfer window.
As we get more news on M’Vila or any other transfer speculation we will update you.
Stay Goonerish!
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I am very excited with the signing of Olivier Giroud welcome to arsenal. I think we SHOULD get M Villa after reading the comments especially from stag133 I am certain we should get M villa regardless of his attitude lets not let that stop us from signing him. What do we expect everyone playing for Arsenal to be one big happy family?
Look at Ballotelli for Man City a PERFECT example of someone who has an attitude problem but he still delivered for Man city and took part in winning them their 1st title in many years.
@chris, the reality is arsenal, by all accounts right now, are one big happy family. is m’vila worth potentially ruining that?
as for ballotelli, he blew it for city in the game against arsenal. city got lucky because man united gave city another chance with their performances.
with that, i’ve always advocated that strikers and keepers are a weird type and can be given a bit of lattitude to be as weird as necessary to remain brilliant. not so for midfielders. look at joey barton. and how many teams has lasanna diarra been on since he’s left arsenal? rumor has it he’s russia-bound.
Ok, so i agree with most of you in M’vila being hyped, and so costly. But he is a good passer of the ball, good knowlegde, knows where and when to pass, short or long.
Depends on what we really need in the team, we have got to remind our selves of team balance. The guy can be good on the pitch. But how about his attitude off the picth, say in the dressing room or training, wont that tear up the spirits of other lads, will have a divided team or not with M’vila.
ARSENE isn’t the best at handling such people with awrong attitudes. just like how Blanc failed with him.
I say, look out for other altanatives, Bigilia is cheap, displined, more experienced, and share so many qualities with Mvila.ONLY that the guy is Argentine, considering he is been called on National duty, and we are playing spurs 2days after he came back!!!!
Others are Capoue and Martinez.
Scz
Sagna Kos Verm Santos
Mvila Arteta
Walcott Wilshire Podolski
Van Persie (c)
Any 7 from these Subs:
Fabianski,Mertesacker,Gibbs,Song, The Ox,Rosicky,Giroud,Ryo,Djourou,Ramsey,Diaby,Frimpong,Le Coq,Gervinho,Jenkinson and possibly Joel Campbell???
Not a bad squad If you ask me! The problem has always been a lack of squad depth with the inevitable injures we keep suffering. I think Wenger know’s are first eleven Is equal to any team In the world, what let’s us down Is we don’t/never have the required back-up needed In a long grueling season this season Is DIFFRENT!
If we do get Mvila and re-sign Robin and Theo after already capturing the signatures of Podolski and Giroud not forgetting the long overdue promotion of Steve Bould as first team coach I sincerely believe we CAN win at least 1 TROPHY……….. God Willing!
keep the faith Gooners! :yes:
In Arsene We Trust!
@ZAK THE GOONER,
drop song for m’vila? nuts!
we already know what song can do in the bpl; especially with arteta. haven’t a clue how well the young m’vila would do.
So many experts. I am in awe of your guys!
@shooy, Dude. its all opinion.
its what a blog is about.
we’ve talked so much about van persie leaving that no one has mentioned that song is also entering the final year of his contract. in the winter he said he would wait until the summer to sort it all out but i haven’t heard of him re-newing his contract. in all fairness, i think he was waiting to see what van persie does as well as what the club does.
song was pretty dynamic this year. he formed a very solid partnership with arteta as well as finished 4th in the league in assists. another observation, many of his assists seemed to come at a time after the 70th minute when arsenal needed a goal. it was obvious to most that the guy occupying the playmaker role most of the season was not up to the task. champions league football would be out of the question if not for song’s contribution. i think arsenal should keep him.
the main focus for arsenal should be to bring in a proper play maker to occupy that attacking midfield role along side arteta and song. rumor has it that fulham are interested in aaron ramsey. brilliant. one for one; ramsey for dembele. just a thought but it’s unlikely that fulham would go for that. ironically, i mentioned the same hypothetical swap idea in the gdc back in the fall. wishful thinking, i know.
@joshuad, Song signed a new deal ages ago around April. Pay rise from 55k to 75k a week. He said if he had to leave Arsenal, he would cry.
@Cameron, missed that. thanks.
strange, this thread is supposed to be about the signing of giroud but m’vila is the hot topic.
i’ve watched m’vila since the last world cup. while i don’t mind the player, 17 million is insane money for him. perspective, chelski paid 17 million for makelele. m’vila is no where near that good and it’s not his fault. it takes a long time to become a good holding player. just look at who’s still left in the euros, xabi alonso, miguel veloso, bastian schweinsteiger, and andrea pirlo; all very experienced players. look at the difference arteta’s experience made for arsenal. i’d rather we keep arteta in that role and groom coquelin as his replacement then blowing that much money on m’vila. maybe we could bid for miguel veloso. he used to be on our radar and was brilliant against spain last year. let’s see how he does tomorrow.
there have only been a handful of youngsters who’ve done well in what i believe is the most difficult position on the field. the good young ones were all mentored by very seasoned pros. i think the bpl might overwhelm m’vila. in tough games, he tends to become a fifth defender instead of a midfielder. if he comes to the bpl, we’ll see.
@joshuad, Chelsea paid 17M for Makelele in 2003!!!!
Seriously, that’s almost a DECADE ago.
So there is ZERO comparison money-wise.
17 Mill in 2003 is like 30 Mill now.
Wenger almost always buys YOUNG PLAYERS that he can mold… he rarely has bought the finished article.
He has to have some influence on the player, in his mind.
Again, if the alternative is to do NOTHING at DM, then I am all for M’Vila.
But I believe it was a smokescreen from the beginning… and now its being reported Arsenal have backed off M’Vila because of his actions and falling out with Lauren Blanc at the Euros.
Chelsea are now rumored to be interested in him as a replacement for Essien.
m´vila is shit , bring in daniele de rossi he is what we need !
Does anyone remember another defender who no one thought was worth signing? We were all clamoring for a BIG name, (Maicon or someone of the like), and our scouts went out and recommended a guy name Koscielny? Oh, you never heard of him… that’s because we pay people to scour the other leagues and find that talent based on their expertise at recognizing talent.
That worked out alright for us, and so if they can find a diamond in the rough, (our scouts – that is), I would be willing to trust them in filtering through the really promising talent as well. If we sign M’Vila I would love it, but if we don’t and we sign someone else, I won’t be screaming at our evaluators for going another direction. They get paid to obsess about talent and promise, we get the luxory of “I told you so”… but all the detractors should be quick not to withhold your “I was dead wrong” when you’re proved to be so!
@ArsenalCasey14, Koscielny = average at best.
but I agree with your point on the fact that we have scouts for a reason.
I’d take the big name CB, any day of the week.
It’s one position you can’t screw around with.
@stag133,
stag you are a fucking moron. Don’t ever speak your opinion ever again.
@oh dear, been here well before you were, will be well after your gone.
Another tough guy behind a keyboard.
@oh dear, I’ll be the first to admit I don’t always see eye-to-eye with Stag, but you know what? We’re all entitle to our own opinions. I guess what I’m saying is crawl back under your rock little internet troll.
@ArsenalCasey14, i, for one, shut my hole until i could see what koscielny could do. m’vila and giroud are different. i’ve seen them play and neither have impresse me that much. bottom line, we don’t always get it right but the scouts don’t either. i didn’t want to sign felipe melo or christopher samba. likewise, i didn’t want to sign andriy arshavin or marouane chamakh.
my biggest beef is we still need a playmaker more than a striker or a holding player. no matter how many strikers you buy, it will be tough to score if we don’t have a special player in that role behind van persie. likewise, it may be more difficult to convince him to stay if he doesn’t have a special player there.
@joshuad, it will be even tougher with RVP gone.
Dude get it finaly right:
M’Vila is an overhyped and overrated player, who’s a morron with a bad attitude, he’s been in various scandals and beside the fact that he can only pass the ball he can’t do anything else. He isn’t that holding middlefielder that you all think he is, he didn’t even finish no way near Ligue 1 team of the year because he had an HORRIBLE season, just have a look at his game against Celtic in Europa League he was SHIT.
Get it if Laurent Blanc didn’t have a personnal problems with Capoue, Lassana Diarra or even Mavuba you guys would never heard of that average player that is M’Vila. He has some potential but the fact that he is a morron will probably screw him up.
And beside that what kind of morron refuse to shake the hand of the manager who made him who he is after he took him out to bring Giroud (last match of France) and also he refused to shake Giroud’s hand, it tells alot from this attitude.
I doubt we were that close to get him because he’s overrated and expensive and I believe that if Wenger was looking for a DM in France it’s probably Capoue who’s WAY better than him and also CHEAPER.
You guys only saw M’Vila play like 4 or 5 times (Wembley against UK, Rennes – Montpellier probably, and during Euro), I’ve seen him play like 120 times between team France, 3 seasons of Ligue 1, “Coupe de France” and also Europa League. THAT DUDE IS OVERRATED and if you ask any french people with football knowledge he might agree with me.
Regards /FrenchGooner.
@FrenchGooner,
Considering the regard our chief French scout Giles Grimandi & our overall scout Steve Rowley hold M’Vila in – I’ll go with them.
Plus I’ve seen more of M’Vila than that as I do like Ligue 1 and watch whenever I can. Wenger has always rated him the only hitch there now seems to be his personal issues.
@DaAdminGooner, You just proved that you don’t have any clue at all about the thing you’re talking about: Grimandi himself said few weeks ago in “The Specialists” on Canal+ Sport that we don’t have any interest at all for M’Vila, while in the same show he said we were looking very closely at Giroud.
My second point is if we were that much into M’Vila: how come the first DM from Ligue 1 we were looking at last summer was KEVIN ANIN way before M’Vila and don’t tell me it’s not true: the player himself and Sochaux president told the press especially L’Equipe that we made a move for him (in july last summer, while only had a look at M’Vila in the end of August).
3rd point which gonna you’re just talking about stuff you don’t know at all: if we were that much into M’Vila how come Giles Grimandi was 12 out of 19 matches at Stadium Municipale of Toulouse: yes he was looking at Abdennour but he also spent lot of times looking at Capoue.
4th point If you really knew M’Vila and watched him this season you would have noticed yes he’s good at passing the ball but only back or on the side, he barely does pass the ball forward (like twice a match). He had an horrible Europa League, and average season with the French Team, and had almost an horrible season with Rennes which made him lose interest from almost all the teams who were looking at hime (for exemple Bayern Munich).
You guys really overrated that dude, I’m sorry to break it this way, but I’m sure of the stuff I’m talking about: I’ve seen him play more than 100 times…
@FrenchGooner,
Grimandi confirmed last year we were interested in M’Vila. He was a primary target but the cost at the time topped out at 25 million and it is why there were other options looked at.
We never made a move for Anin. This has been debunked
This season was atypical for M’Vila I agree but he is a solid passer of the ball typically, strong in the tackle and has a keen sense of the game. His biggest weakness is his speed.
Bayern didn’t lose interest because of form. They never had interest. That was M’Vila’s agent trying to stir up interest. Inter was in for him and now Chelsea are reported considering making a play for him to replace Essien.
@DaAdminGooner, that would make sense.
Chelsea beating us to the signing over money, just like they did with Mata…
@FrenchGooner,
Oh and just to be clear – Arsenal’s reported interest in Kevin Anin was in Dec of 2011 ahead of the January transfer window for 2012
@DaAdminGooner, You just trusted all the bullshits articles from the mirror and the mail about Anin. We did move and it was july 2011 I can scan and post the article from L’Equipe with the interview of Sochaux’s president Alexandre Lacombe talking about it if you want, I believe he has more clue than either you or me.
Anin moved from Sochaux to Nice in january and the deal was made arround december so no weren’t in for him in for him in december since he had already agreed to a move. The mirror and the mail got wrong Lacombe’s interview and wrote we were looking at him at that time; but that was BS. The player and also his agent confirmed that we moved for him in july last year in an interview for Canal Football Club which was shown on February.
M’Vila wasn’t at all our first priority last summer, we did try to move for him but it was in the last day of august: it was reported on Canal +.
And the Bayern were interested for sure in him since Sagnol until he joined the staff of the FFF was working for Bayern and spent LOTS of time at “Stade de la Route de Lorient” to look at M’Vila.
And No Chelsea aren’t interested in him probably bullshit from his agent (as most of the noises about his player), I believe they rather get Fellaini which would be a SMARTER MOVE.
The sad part is that for sure I know I’m right and that in 2 or 3 years everyone will get it.
@FrenchGooner,
We get it. You don’t like M’Vila.You are entitled to your opinion
I know for a fact that Anin was all talk and that it was only coming from Sochaux. No interest from the Arsenal side at all.
Ultimately only time will be the ultimate judge
@DaAdminGooner,
I seriously don’t get some people here.
Here is French Gooner, coming up with facts, not hearsay, vs. hollow/shallow quasi-arguments based on the ‘knowledge’ of English hacks and their stories. French gooner is also most probably in a much better position to comment on this as he can read the original French transcripts and news instead of the translated and highly likely misinterpreted pieces in the English shit tabloid.
I find it laughable that people who support Arsenal and hopefully watch some of our games can say that Koscielny is ‘average at best’ when the dude was last year by far our best central defender by a mile, whereas on the other hand you’ve got M’Vila whom you’ve all seen altogether not more than 10 times and suddenly he’s the next big thing. From what I’ve seen from him he’s a solid DM with a good pass on him and a solid sense of positioning and that puts him somewhere in the ‘athletic Denilson’ category (remember us lamenting his sideways passing?). He is a solid squad player sure, but never the ultimate DM we’ve been crying for.
His signature would most probably put Frimmy’s Arsenal career to a stop and I think Frimpong has bags of potential if he’d stay clear of injuries. What we need quite clearly is an experienced GK to challenge SZCZ, and perhaps a utility player like the Grimster himself was who could play DM and CD (perhaps even RB as Sagna has only Jenkinson to challenge him and/or back him up. Perhaps M’Vila would be a good signing but paying those ridiculous sums for him would completely insane.
Peace.
@FrenchGooner, yes. M’Vila must be terrible, if you say so.
Why don’t they drop him from their team altogether, if he plays so poorly?
From what you are saying, we should get him for 2 Million? or 3?
If the club want him, and then get him, I will be happy to see him arrive.
At age 21, I am sure he can only improve, espeically if he is surrounded by a better supporting cast.
@DaAdminGooner, Agree DAG.
That’s why the club have SCOUTS.
And for all those folks who say… why don’t you tell us who is better than… Song or Theo or whomever, that we want to see replaced… its irrelevant, its a FULL-TIME job for the club, to constantly scout talent all over the world.
So I am HAPPY when we attempt to bring in… (Or do) new players to improve the team.
The assumption is the scouts have done their job, and the club like what they see.
I have seen a fair amoung of Ligue 1 last year, and from what I have seen of M’Vila, I’d be happy if we signed him… I don’t care what the cost is… the club have more than enough money.
If we miss regularly on players that come in, then its time for new scouts, or replacing those who are making the decisions YES or NO… (or how much, as we’ve missed out on a few really good players over a few million bucks… and the cost of losing out is immeasurable)
@FrenchGooner, Thanks for this.
I really can’t see him coming to Arsenal with his attitude and baggage. He wouldn’t
fit in. Not Gunner material.
I’ll check out Capoue though…:-)
While I think M’Vila would be a good signing, I do worry about his lack of pace and casual attitude in games. He looks extremely skilled technically, but I have a bad feeling that his languid nature will get found out in the breakneck Premier League. Just a thought. Perhaps a cheaper alternative like Biglia would be better – he certainly has more pace.
@Chris, why would a CHEAPER alternative be better?
Why not a BETTER, MORE EXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE?
We have money, so we don’t need to circle the drain for bargain basement additions.
@stag133, We rarely do!
Wenger is a shrewd manager and genally tries to get the maximum
‘Bang’ for his buck. Why overspend when you can invest?
It’s abusiness after all. :fighterf:
@Metal Man Thing’s Mate, its a business at Arsenal FC,LLC, Inc…. but you are actually trying to WIN TROPHIES, its about getting the BEST PLAYERS you can.
Paying more money up front, is less costly sometimes than spending on something of less quality, an dthen having to replace it a year later.
You get what you pay for.
@Metal Man Thing’s Mate, Wonder if you reallly understand what you say in WENGER IS A SHREWED MANAGER. i say, kick out Wenger, Arsenal will Lag behind, and clubs like Newcastle,Spurs,and Everton will get passed you, Arsene is Manger of the Decade. I wonder how some aRSENAL FUNS THINK!!!!!!!!!!!
YANN M’VILLA is the best player that arsenal can take,coz we will have to push song into attack so as to make the final paces to Oliver Giroud .. now VAN PERSEY can Go …u know its easy for so many strikers to score coals for arsenal….
the best alternative in the market is javi martinez, but m’vila is seriously the one we need at whatever cost, he WILL be awesome, the best invisible wall ever seen imo. Give him time to develop further as he is still only 21, although he already plays very mature :)
What are the alternatives to M’Vila? I assume that Wenger wants to buy a defensive midfielder this summer and has other targets besides M’Vila. Mainy Lucas Biglia or Etienne Capoue. Any suggestions?
AW could just as easily rest with Frimpong and Coquelin to back up Song.
Only 2 other spots in midfield, and after Wilshere and Arteta, there’s
still Ramsey, Rosicky, Diaby, and maybe Aneke to choose from.
@OzGoonerGuy, I don’t want Frimpong or Coquelin backing up Song. It’s in Arsenal’s best interest to have a better overall player playing DM than Coquelin and especially Frimpong because he is young and reckless.
@OzGoonerGuy, Song isn’t world class, and Frimpong and LeCoq have proven nothing… Diaby? can’t be relied on to even get on the pitch. What’s he play like now, as we haven’t seen him play in about 2 years.
Rosicky? he doesn’t play that position… and is injury prone… and most people BASHED Ramsey endlessly last season, so now he’s an option again?
I am not 100% M’Vila is the best option, but I’d prefer to find out, than to go into the season with the same players that did nothing.
I’d rather try to improve the team… than watch others try to improve. There is no guarantee ANY player will succeed, regardless of the price-tag.
@stag133, This is a surprise, but Stag, I actually agree with almost everything you just said. No matter who the player is (or how much he costs), it’s impossible to know how he will fit into a club. It’s better to take a risk and buy a player rather than say “no thanks, there’s a chance it might not work out”.
I also agree with your sentiments on our current midfield options, although I do think Le Coq has a big future at this club. I don’t want to be relying on him yet though. Competition for places will only improve him. We didn’t buy anyone in central midfield for fear of “killing Denilson” and the same at centre half for fear of “killing Djourou”. Look how they worked out. If a player is good, he will rise to the top no matter who is in his way. Coquelin will only become a better player if he has the likes of M’Vila to face for a spot on the team sheet.
@Raj, I agree that there is some potential there in Coquelin and even Frimpong… but I think they are a few years away. If we are NOT trying to win anything again this season, then, we’ll go with less proven players again, and pray for 4th.
Totally agree that if the player is good enough, he’ll break through…
there are more than enough games and competitions to play in at Arsenal for
players to get a chance. (and injuries!)
@OzGoonerGuy,
IMO, it’s wrong to believe that M’Vila is an alternative to Song/Coquelin/Frimpong. The last three are box-to-box midfielders whilst M’Vila is a defensive midfielder. That’s why we saw more assists coming from Song which resulted leaks in the defense.
If M’Vila should come, Song could easily do whatever he wants, the defense wouldn’t be reliant on him.
I just only don’t understand that if Wenger was interested in him earlier (in late August 2011), why doesn’t he make a move for him? I don’t care about his attitudinal, off-pitch behaviour/issues as long as he gives 100% for his team. And why wouldn’t he give 100% for Arsenal?