As Mathieu Debuchy edge’s closers to a temporary exit from Arsenal, the talk has now turned to “Will Arsenal get in a replacement.” And with his exit, and other news going on in the footballing world, people, and journalists, and bloggers, and Tweeters alike are putting a lot of 2’s together with a lot of other 2’s in the hope that they come up with a 4.
First of all, we have the situation over at West Ham (we’ve stolen your song) involving Carl Jenkinson.
He seems to have fallen out of favour over in East London, starting just 2 of their last 8 games. With West Ham recently signing Sam Bryam for £3.7million from Leeds, his days are certainly numbered.
There has been a lot of talk that Arsenal might look to break his season long loan deal with the Hammers, bringing him back to provide the back up to Hector Bellerin. But whether this is feasible is unknown.
It is very rare that a season long loan deal is broken, especially when money is involved. West Ham paid £2million for the loan deal. I am sure (but not 100% sure) that if a fee is involved, the deal can not be broken. And if it can be, it would involve Arsenal having to pay back some of the loan fee. I just can not see Arsenal doing this.
Alongside the Jenkinson conundrum, there are reports that West Ham did not really want Bryam until the summer, and only moved now due to Everton sniffing around. There is a chance he could be loaned back to Leeds for the rest of the season, before replacing Jenkinson in the first team squad for 2016/17.
The likelihood is that Jenkinson will not return.
The second option that people seem to be discussing is the return of an Arsenal legend. One of the greatest of all time. Perhaps THE greatest of all time.
Emmanuel Eboue.
Before I start, why does Eboue not yet have a statue? In fact, he deserves more than that, Arsenal should rip up the stadium naming deal, and change it to the Emmanuel Eboue Stadium.
But in all seriousness, news of a return of Eboue to Arsenal has kind of come out of nowhere.
The last anyone knew of him, he was still getting up to high jinks at Galatasaray.
As it turns out, his last appearance for the horrible Turks was on the 19th April 2014.
Having returned to the club for pre-season training for the 2014/15 season, he was informed that he would not be playing.
“I came back for training and I was told I would not be playing,” Eboue was quoted as saying in The Sun “The president told the manager at the time not to pick me.”
As Galatasaray’s number of foreign player limit was full, he played the entire season for the under 21s and his contract recently expired with the club.
He has been quoted as saying as he “would love to come back to Arsenal.”
That’s all well and good, but whether he would be wanted back is another story.
Discarded by the club in favour of Bacary Sagna in 2011, there would be question marks over his fitness having not played a competitive game in 18 months.
A possible scenario could be for him to return to the club just to train and get his fitness back up to standard, like so many before him have done. And then maybe, just maybe, if we are desperate, him to sign on a short term contract till the end of the season.
As far as I know (but I reserve the right to be wrong), as he is on a free transfer, he can be signed outside of the transfer window. But I am not sure where it stands with Premier League registrations.
At 32, he certainly would not have a long term future at the club. Just until this summer if signed. With Jenkinson returning for next season.
Personally, I can not see either of the two deals happening. If Debuchy does go, Calum Chambers has the ability to step up and be the second choice right back. That is the route I imagine the club will go.
Then again, there have been reports that the club are looking to loan out Chambers – possibly back to Southampton – for the rest of the season. That would leave us short. Coupled with the fact that Debuchy has not yet gone, it could be that Arsenal are awaiting to get in a replacement for the Frenchman before letting anyway leave. Whether that is Eboue returning, or Jenkinson’s loan deal breaking, who knows?
Whilst I am thinking about full back’s, I watched the Leicester game last night and was highly impressed by young Ben Chilwell. He also impressed me in the first game against Spurs.
Just 19, he looks to have a bright future ahead. Without attempting to hype him up too much (something which Arsenal fans, and football fans in general tend to do) as last night was his first home start for the club, he is clearly a player.
Arsenal should maybe take a risk on him. Sign him now whilst he is a lot cheaper than he could be in 18 months time. Look at Luke Shaw (yes I know he is now injured). Everyone knew about him 18 months before Manchester United signed him. Sides dithered, and he ended up costing around £30million.
The opposite is Dele Alli. Another talented youngster. Spurs jumped in early and snapped him up for £5million. He is not worth double that, maybe even treble, at least. Sometimes you need to take the risk.
Just 19, with him and Bellerin, Arsenal would have their full backs for the next decade.
Of course, Monreal has just signed a new 3 and a half year contract with the club. By the time that ends, he will be 33. Chilwell will be just 22.
A scenario I can easily see happening is Arsenal signing the youngster, leaving him at Leicester for the next 18 months to continue his development, before he returns in 2017 to compete with Monreal for first choice right back.
So there we have my predicitions.
No right back will be signed.
A left back will come in.
Have a good one all!
Keenos
