Arsenal Should See Hleb As Expendable
July 8th 2008 16:30
Arsenal look as though they are going to cut some dead weight in the form of Alexander Hleb. To which, yes he was a fairly valuable part of the campaign last season, as least for a while. Then he turned to being a key contributor to Arsenal’s downfall from no.1 in the league to no.3, through frequent underperformances on the pitch. But Hleb is sort of an expert at being gun shy in front of goal, like too many other Arsenal players.
But now despite their distaste at the prospect of Hleb’s departure earlier this summer, Arsenal now appear on board to let him leave. Supposedly for Barcelona, with an apparent £15million offer coming in from the Spanish club. I’m glad Arsenal have realized that Hleb isn’t necessary for the squads success, as they couldn’t be encouraging him to stay less.
Of the two big proposed losses for Arsenal in Adebayor and Hleb, clearly Hleb is the more acceptable. Adebayor would be another huge blow to the teams goal scoring, just as Henry’s sudden absence first affected the team early, and then late last season. Adebayor has begun to fill that striker role, although he needs a more reliable strike partner, as Van Persie, who frequents the front with the Togolese striker, seems to be injured more often than healthy. Despite the Dutchman’s talent, they need a reliable replacement.
Hleb being the easier to live without, could fund a new capable, and more injury free striker for the Arsenal organization. Manager Wenger keeps ending up linked to Blackburn’s Santa Cruz, but there’s no chance of that, as Ince isn’t likely to sell his biggest star. But that shouldn’t stop Wenger from going after a more likely target.
A good option? Birmingham City’s James McFadden, as he’s the perfect age and experience level to really start lighting up score sheets. His career has been spotty in the Premiership, but that’s not to say the man doesn’t have the talent. Everton couldn’t really support a striker of his ability, and Birmingham City clearly didn’t have the depth to give him some aid.
Not to mention McFadden is a natural secondary striker, so Adebayor could push forward all day, with McFadden to be more of a mid-field playmaker, which would help Adebayor do what he’s best at. Not to mention McFadden’s amazing ability to score from long distance on occasion.
Plus the Scotland International wants to leave City, because he doesn’t want to play in the Championship, McFadden wants Premiership football. Celtic has constantly been showing interest in the boy, but he’s ignored it to hopefully rise back to the top league in the world. Even formerly committing himself back to Birmingham’s relegated campaign, proves at least a fair amount of loyalty to a club. Despite his disinterest in playing for them now.
Loyalty is what Arsenal craves, what with their place in the top-flight and notoriously low paychecks to big stars. Arsenal needs loyal players, and why wouldn’t McFadden be loyal to a club that through employment, would bump him up to the biggest league in the world’s top spots?
So Arsenal, Arsene, take a risk on a fantastic striker that’s yet to hit his true stride, I guess I’m suggesting. Fund him a decent paycheck from the money you get on Hleb. Then use the other £14.5million to pay some old debts.
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