Mady Camara for Arsenal?
As the pandemic crisis continues and we have no clue if or when our football will return to conclude the season, the one thing that is not quiet or respecting the lock-down is transfer speculation. With no action to preview of review the sports media is rife with rumour and speculation. It seems that despite not knowing when the transfer window will even open this summer, clubs, including Arsenal are beginning to plan their summer’s business. This will no doubt delight punters in this ever popular betting market and there is a new customer bonus bet for bet365.
What I think we can say with a degree of certainty is that given Arsenal’s financial position, with a Champions League wage structure and no Champions League football, our summer will be one if much wheeling and dealing with established first teamers needing to be sold to allow Arteta to rebuild and tailor the squad to his requirements.
Rebuilding job for Arteta
One position that many would say has not been properly filled ever since Gilberto, is the role of midfield anchor man. I think most Arsenal supporters still hope that Lucas Torreira can be that man but despite his tenacity his size is still and issue and Granit Xhaka, often deployed there simply is not mobile enough as a back four shield. Indeed, of late it was Dani Ceballos occupying the position, but the Spaniard seesm set to return to Spain. Interesting then that today’s headlines suggest Arsenal are prepared to battle A C Milan for the signature of Mohamed ‘Mady’ Camara.
The Guinean international seemingly impressed Arteta across the 2 legs that saw the tough tackling Camara assist Olympiacos, knock his team out of the Europa League recently. The player’s agent is spinning the usual lines that the player is happy in Athens and hoping complete the season and win silverware in Greece, but simultaneously hints that Mady, wants to progress to a bigger league, citing Italy, Germany or England.
The £20/25 million price tag cited seems about right for Arsenal’s position, where buying 23-year-old potential with the best years ahead, the pond we will have to fish in at present. The Guinean enforcer is undoubtedly physical enough for the Premier League, his long legs often make crucial Vieira like tackles but what may be unproven is his passing range. However, is his main job is to be to patrol in front of the back four, win it, intercept it and give it simple to a creative partner, as Coquelin did with Cazorla, also in the current 4231, then Mady Camara may be our man.
Time will tell, with so many unknowns ahead but for those unfamiliar with the player this video (as they all do) shows his qualities and attributes. The video clearly illustrates that he is a DM, with an eye for an important goal, but so was Gilberto, or even our current coach when he played that role for Arsenal.
Undoubtedly more transfer gossips and scouting reports to come. Until next time!
Passionate fifty-something Arsenal supporter who has been making the journey to N5 regularly since the early 1980s – although his first game was in 1976. Always passionate when talking about The Arsenal, Dave decided to send a guest blog to Gunnersphere in the summer of 2011 and has not stopped writing about the Gunners since.
He set up his own site – 1 Nil Down 2 One Up – in February 2012, which he moved on in 2016 to concentrate on freelance writing and building Gunners Town, which he launched with Paul in 2014.
The objective of GT was to be new and fresh and to give a platform for likeminded passionate Arsenal fans wishing to write about their team. Dave still of course, writes for the site himself and advises the ever-changing writing crew.
Possibility of light at the end of the tunnel Dave?