12/21/24
January 27, 2004
Gunners go big for Reyes: While the expected pounds have not found their way out of Abramovich's wallet, Wenger got the green to spend £20 million to bring Spanish youngster Jose Antonio Reyes to partner with Henry. Will this move assure Arsenal four big pieces of silverware before season's end?
posted by billsaysthis to soccer at 11:33 AM - 6 comments
There's still time for a flurry of activity before the transfer window closes. I fully expect Parker to join Chelski and Butt to end up at either Blues or Boro.
posted by squealy at 12:04 PM on January 27, 2004
There better be a flurry... The lack of action has me plonkered... If thats the right word.
posted by StarFucker at 12:05 PM on January 27, 2004
I'd like to see Landon Donovan playing in the EPL, and I am very interested in seeing what Reyes can do with Henry next to him. I don't think anything in football is guaranteed though. I mean folks were ready to hand Chelski all the silverware before the season started. Arsenal is in a position to help itself, but no one person will make it happen. They will need everyone to stay healthy (and out of trouble with the FA). Aresnal has a tough stretch of EPL games against top-ten teams ahead of them ( #3 Chelsea (21 Feb.), #4 Charlton (28 Feb.), #8 Southampton (10 Feb.), #10 Bolton (30 Mar.), #2 ManU (28 Mar.), #5 Liverpool (10 Apr.), #6 Newcastle (12 Apr.), #9 Birmingham (1 May), #7 Fulham (8 May)) so it is VERY early to talk about silverware. I'm still glad to see Reyes in Highbury.
posted by scully at 12:24 PM on January 27, 2004
Nobody who knows anything about football thought Chelski would be shoo-ins for Championships this season. It takes time to build a team. Next season on the other hand... It was no surprise to me that Chelsea did better the season they were unable to afford any new signings. The biggest problem they have right now is Abramovich's money. The temptation to just go out and buy someone else when things are not going perfectly. That's not always the best thing to do. Remember how long it took for Fergie to bring success to Man Ure?
posted by salmacis at 01:47 PM on January 28, 2004
While we speculated recently, there have be few major moves at all in the EPL during this window aside from today's Reyes purchase. Nicky Butt is still on the bench at Old Trafford, where Sir Alex is embroiled in a fight with the largest shareholders over a racehorse. Charlton told Chelsea to get lost when the Blues bid for Parker. Heskey, now out 2-3 weeks with a bad hamstring, did not move though there were rumors. One potential move still in the works, if FIFA doesn't gum it up, is a remainder of the season loan of American Player of the Year Landon Donovan to Portsmouth; even if LD goes, though, it won't be until late Feb. after the US plays in the Olympic qualifying tourney. So what happened, how come there was so little action?