Florent Malouda: Summer transfer to Arsenal?

Florent Malouda wants out. He has had an outstanding season in the French Ligue and is a candidate for the PFA.
The Lyons winger is interested in the bigger clubs and has shown an interest in joining Arsenal. Malouda is a physical player with the strength of a Julio Bapista ( a big disappointment underscored by his dismal performance in his last game before he heads back to Spain) with tonnes more speed and skill. He would be a fantastic pick up. At 26 he has already had considerable match experience at the Ligue and national team level.
Other players that Arsenal should target is Franck Ribery, who has been talking about moving from OM. The only thing that can keep Ribery back is OM’s entry to the big dance after years of mould. Meanwhile if I was Wenger I would be keeping a close eye on OM’s midfield maestro, Samir Nasri. The man has been behind OM’s resurgence and Wenger is the type of coach to nourish that talent. At 19, he might be too young but his temperament is that of a more mature player. There are question marks to the future moves of Reyes (who is most likely to be signed on by a Liga club), Flamini, Ljungberg, and even Hleb. So the Gunners midfield is a bit unsettled at this moment.
First things first. Arsenal has to make sure that Wenger stays on after this unsettling season and Peter Hill- Wood’s words are encouraging in that regard. The big problem is that Wenger’s relationship needs to be re-established with Dein’s departure. Wenger’s relationship has been complicated by the fact that his friend Dein was the one who encouraged F Stan Kroenke’s hostile takeover. Dein was Wenger’s inside man for so many years on Arsenal’s board and they both enjoyed a harmonious relationship, so it is safe to say that Dein spoke for Wenger about everything to do with matters relating to the squad. An encouraging sign is that the Fabianski deal went through in the post-Dein era.
Wenger’s philosophy has stood Arsenal in good stead in his ten years as manager and his way has been successful for a number of years. It is a matter of pride that they have been able to accomplish so much without the obvious financial benefits that takeovers have bestowed their competition. There is also the oft repeated mantra that the young Arsenal squad will be challenging for the title in a couple of seasons. Why panic? However I think that all that talent will get you to the top four but not the Premiership or the CL title. You don’t necessarily need big named players like a Samuel Eto’o to break your bank on but experience like Malouda or Ribery’s will be invaluable. Arsenal’s defense has been porous at times and William Gallas has not been up to the mark even when fit. Plus, Gallas has been whining about the lack of respect he gets at the club. He might want to leave but the two good defenders that could replace him, Curtis Davis and Micah Richards are in multi-year contracts with their clubs. Gallas might settle down in his second season and live up to expectation which would be the best scenario.
Wenger will have a big meeting with the board to decide on how much cash to splash on the summer transfers. Gunner fans keep your fingers crossed and hope for a reasonable amount otherwise you will hear a lot more Kroenke rumours.

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11 comments on “Florent Malouda: Summer transfer to Arsenal?
  1. From a NY gooner: good commentary. Wenger will not spend big, he rarely does that. And it has rarely worked out when he as. Even if Baptista had been more successful at Arsenal, Wenger would still think twice about paying the price Real Madrid are asking. I’d love to see Malouda come to Arsenal, I just doubt it will happen. Wenger will be outbid for him. While I love Gallas’ skills, he’s a constant complainer. He’s never settled or happy at any club. He’ll stay one more season and then move on again. And I hope this post shows up on your blog, because all my posts on this site disappear.

  2. Arsenal need to buy two experienced players. Another forward and a wide midfielder. Both have to be quality experienced players who will not need permission from their parents to appear in evening kick off games!
    Both Ribery and Maluda fit the bill for the wide position.
    Wenger believes that he can improve players and coach them to play his way. So if it is a choice between the two he will go for the cheaper one! Assuming of course that their technical ability and personal character satisfy him.

  3. i couldnt agree with you more. malouda would be perfect on the left side of our midfield. i dont think he is a player of super class but will offer a better balance to the team. often we are too lightweight with rosicky and hleb on the wings. how much we he cost though? i read 10.5 million on one site, surely a tad expensive.

  4. Sandrahn
    Your post did appear 🙂
    Good points all. Kingsley, I think Malouda’s sticker price is a bit high. Probably >10 m considering his contribution to Lyon and his national team exposure.
    Wenger will have to get some decent money through sales. But I think they should go for Malouda. Nicklas Bendtner should also see limited first squad duty. But as AA puts it, the emphasis should be on experience not parental control.

  5. Gallas complaints about lack of respect were targetted at Chelsea and not Arsenal – he actually seemed more angry that he has not had the chance to show the true Billy Gallas this season.

  6. firstly if our strikers are henry VP Ade and NIK maybe walcott, i dont c wenger buyin a striker cos of the other 2s development. there is on 1 position we need to upgrade in my view and only 1, the wide players, we bring in malouda and babel, or 1 of those and reyes comes bck wit a beta attitutde, let go of one of the current 1s, we have an amzing team. i think ribery will go to man u, jus a feelin

  7. hi , this is a very good transfer for arsenal , as a fan of that very club
    so it is fine let him come to join the gunners

  8. All i want to say is that let wenger by new players that will help him to get what he want. He should not depend on the young players he have. And i want to know about henrys future if he is going to barca. Thanks from sarah. Waiting for your mail

  9. All i want to say is that let wenger by new players that will help him to get what he want. He should not depend on the young players he have. And i want to know about henrys future if he is going to barca. Thanks from sarah. Waiting for your mail

  10. All i want to say is that let wenger by new players that will help him to get what he want. He should not depend on the young players he have. And i want to know about henrys future if he is going to barca. Thanks from sarah. Waiting for your mail

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