A major feature of Mikaël Silvestre’s move to Arsenal yesterday was that he was given a two-year contract, which breaks the mould and opens the door for more experienced players (for example Pires and Gilberto in the past) to stay.
A lot of press go with the fact he is the the first player to move to Arsenal from Man U since Brian Kidd in 1974.
For those Arsenal supporters who remember the harder times – and are less worried about trophyless seasons than the win-now at all costs brigade, Kidd kept Arsenal in the First Division in the mid-seventies, as they flirted near the relegation zone.
Wenger said:”We have a strong squad but a young squad and Mikaël’s versatility, experience and calibre will provide the extra depth we need to reinforce our challenge for honours this season. His defensive adaptability will serve us well and it’s a big plus that Mikaël has top level experience and a great understanding of football in the Premier League.”
He will wear the no 18 shirt.
Meanwhile his arrival looks to hasten Armand Traore’s departure to Portsmouth on a year long loan, which will make seven ex and current Arsenal players in that squad, plus Tony Adams.
Meanwhile Nacer Barazite excelled in his first game for Derby setting up two goals against Leicester.
Paul Jewell said of the Dutch forward:
“He stood out, a touch of class, and is a very good footballer.”
“Whether he is ready to go week in, week out in the Championship, I don’t know, but if we can have him for a long time and he becomes a player, great.”
Barazite is on loan until December 31.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Adebayor has dispatched food and medicine worth US$100,000 to Ghanaian populated towns in Togo ravaged by last week’s floods.
Togo’s Minister for Security, Colonel Atcha Titikpina Mohammed and Maimounatou Ibrahima, the Togolese Minister for Social Welfare received the food items from Mrs Alice Emiola Adebayor, who made he donation on behalf of her son on Tuesday.
“Adebayor is not only promoting our country across the world with his performance for Arsenal, but by this act in this pressing time he has shown that he is a true son of Togo,” Colonel Mohammed said.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel will arrive in Togo next month during the international break to reveal more plans to help those affected by the floods.
And finally it was Arshavin‘s wage demands which scuppered his move to Arsenal. Arsenal were willing to pay a £15m fee, as reported in the Express.
A colleague who was in Austria, and close to the training camp, said that Arsene had been negotiating for five hours, and was willing to pay the fee, but not the wages.