Daily Bits and Bobs

Should Arsene Wenger sign Joseph Yobo for free? Backing Danny Welbeck….

Posted on by rico

Morning all.

Don’t shoot me down for the heading, it’s simply a question put out as an idea.

Joseph Yobo, not the first name on every fans mind but he’s one of a few centre backs available right now for free and the only way we can bolster our central defensive options is by snapping a player up who is out of contract.

Yobo is no stranger to the Premier League, he’s played for Everton and Norwich. He’s only 33 years old and in February this year, he was part of a Norwich defence which stopped Manchester City from scoring…

Back in 2006, we were heavily linked to signing him whilst he was at Everton, but that move never materialised, perhaps now it would be a sensible move for both us and the player.

Yes, it smacks of desperation but surely there are plenty of matches in which he could do a job for us and possibly a very good one.

Good idea, or bad? I think it makes sense, just for one year……

One player we did sign though is Danny Welbeck and since doing so, many people away from Arsenal have had their say. A lot of Man Utd fans weren’t happy to see him depart and David Beckham is one of quite a number of people associated with the club who has expressed sadness seeing a young player born and bred in Manchester be shown the door.

Possibly the most interesting comments have come from Mike Phelan, the former assistant to Alex Ferguson. He believes that letting Danny Welbeck is huge mistake made by Manchester United, but for us, it’s a very very good piece of business. Phelan played a big part of Welbecks early career between 2008 – 2013 and watched the young player blossom. He clearly rates him highly.

If Mike Phelan’s view isn’t enough to convince you that Welbeck is a good signing then perhaps Rene Meulensteen saying that he and Arsenal will be the perfect match will.. After all, he too has played a huge part in our new man’s footballing career in Manchester between 2007-2013…

Joey Barton totally disagrees:

I’d be wary of buying anyone from a Man Utd fire sale. They tend to never produce anywhere near the levels they do at OT!

What a chump! LvG has been at the club just weeks as he was in Rio with Holland and I personally find it quite incredible that in such a short time, a young international player can be discarded so soon. Especially when you consider who have gone before him, believed in Danny Welbeck.

But I guess when managers are given a bottomless pit of money and told they can go and spend it, their will always be young English players who will make way for big named expensive players like Falcao…..

Their loss will hopefully be our gain….

Arsene Wenger seems to be building a squad which includes a large number of English players, Danny Welbeck and Calum Chambers being the latest. Both will play a huge part for us and of course England for many years to come.

And finally, those idiots who criticised Wenger for killing the England team will have to direct then venom elsewhere because now we are providing the future for Roy Hodgson.

Jack Wilshere, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and even Carl Jenkinson because he too has a cap to his name and he’s still an Arsenal player….

Danny Welbeck may just have found his right club, a club which will trust him and play him in his right place so I personally am going to see what he does in an Arsenal shirt before even thinking about writing him off and I’m looking forward to seeing how he links up with players like Alexis, Ozil, OC, Cazorla, Ramsey etc feeding him the ball through the middle…

Yes, I have my positive hat on again today…

Have a great day guys and gals…..

 

rico

125 thoughts on “Should Arsene Wenger sign Joseph Yobo for free? Backing Danny Welbeck….”

  1. Wavy says:

    Is We.beck the new Brian Kidd? If he is we will have bought a good ‘un from manure! The second time it has happened, in my memory. Kidd was a goal scorer who scored a few! I see Welbeck in a similar way, not a prolific goalscorer but a good team player who always gets stuck in and contributes a good few goals, season to season.
    Not overwhelmed by his signing but he will a very welcome addition and certainly better than no one at all!

    Morning all

  4. allezkev says:

    Morning Rico, good positive post…

    Looking at Arsenal’s squad of 23, it leaves two spaces that can be filled by foreign signings…
    Joseph Yobo seems a good shout, but I would have taken Hangerland, Wenger missed a trick there!

  5. rico says:

    The good thing is he has a point to prove, to himself as much as anything and I honestly think his move will be similar to what happened with Sturridge…

    Just hope AW plays him central and Sanogo sits on the bench behind Campbell…

  7. Rick says:

    Good Morning Rico and the House
    Its great to see you with your positive hat on Rico.It is a very good read . I have a very busy day and will be back later with my thoughts on what you have posted.

  9. allezkev says:

    Wavy, great point mate re: Kiddo.

    He immediately came to my mind after we signed Welbeck.
    Very similar situation where Kidd had spent most of his ManUtd career on the wing or playing 2nd fiddle to some other striker.
    He came to Arsenal, was played up front and got 19 league goals in his first season (if I recall) and became a bit of a cult hero in a very poor side…

    Given the opportunity to be the focal point of our attack, Welbeck could do likewise and really blossom…

  10. rico says:

    lolpundit – please don’t bother trying to come on here each day as I know you only do so to leave a link to your own blog. If you wanted your place to have a plug on here, there are better ways of doing it…

  11. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Good Morning Bumblebees and Butterflies.

    A positive post Rico. Joseph Yobo??? Well tbh as a short term cover till May its no prob. He is EPL experienced and can rest our players. And will accept limited playing time.

    Morning Kev. I think DW23 will set new standards. I hope he will make life difficult for AW to drop him.

  12. southyorkshiregunner says:

    I liked Brian Kidd.
    My dad used to say that him and Joe Royle had a telepathic understanding when they played together in the England Under 23’s ..

    Re: Welbeck all we can do is wit and see… personally I think we paid about £10M too much for him, but who knows ….

  14. snaparse says:

    morning Rico nice read ………..the defensive situation is not ideal but it is what it is let us all pray we don’t get any major injuries and hope arsene rotates properly……I like welbeck and I hope he hits the ground running and starts providing the goods soon can’t say I’m not disappointed about the transfer activities but like you I’m feeling positive about the season

  15. AndrewH says:

    Good post rico, morning house.

    Wavy, my wife thinks Sterling, Sturridge and Welbeck all look the same with that daft hair shape!

    Seems a long wait till our next game ….

    Sure excitement will build towards end of next week. City wont fancy a trip to the Emirates after their last home loss to Stoke, and a recent Shield defeat to us.

  17. AndrewH says:

    syg, am I the only one who wasn’t upset by Gallas’s ‘childish’ sit down when everything turned against us? He felt it, he knew what had happened, and that was his way of dealing with it. At least he cared.

  22. AndrewH says:

    rico, have there been many rumours around Yobo? Would make me feel better. Please give Arsene a ring and tip him off, he’s still in refereeing mode I fear!

  23. Sammy Nelsons Pants says:

    Yobo would be great cover at CB on a one year deal. Nice idea Rico. Whilst everyone’s nervous about no CDM, I was wondering which of the players we may have been in for actually moved. Schneiderlin, Khedira, Carvalho? None of them…. Hardly a fail if clubs won’t sell / players price themselves out of a move / there’s some shady third party ownership that no one wants a part of….

  24. rico says:

    Andrew, none re Yobo and I doubt AW would even give it a thought…

    Wonder if he blew his whistle at all? He doesn’t usually see anything during a game….

  26. rico says:

    Thanks Snp’s, good point but I wonder why AW didn’t have a plan b – and perhaps he’d have had more success had he not left things until DD..

    If by some miracle AW thinks outside the box and get’s Yobo which I very much doubt, at least Chambers could be left to make the CDM position his own…

    Then address other needs in January…

  27. snaparse says:

    Rico did you watch the england match? I thought our former academy product (nordveit) who we let go did very well and he looks a very good player was it a mistake letting him go?

  30. Federico says:

    There are a few good freebies who could do a job if asked. I believe that Mario Yepes is another. A one year deal and 4th choice. I think that it would be good for Wenger to get someone in. Hopefully he will.

  32. rico says:

    Federico, let’s hope Wenger is looking at the players available for free. He’s usually an expert at spotting a bargain..

  34. Sonnie says:

    Yobo. you can’t be serious. can’t defend, can’t read games, can’t pass a ball to save a life. Don’t argue further. i’m Nigerian.

  36. rico says:

    Sonnie, I couldn’t care less if you were from the moon, doesn’t mean you are right… It’s all a matter of opinion.

  37. Luznic says:

    Yobo?????? you do know I am from the same country as him, you don’t want him……..I am speaking truthfully now……. he is always a calamity in the waiting especially now that he is old…….he only got to play at the world cup because of injury problems, he is 3rd choice even as the captain of the team and you know who displaced him? Omeruo playing for Middlesbrough on loan from Chelsea and Oboabona playing for a “wee” club in Turkey, so tell me how that will do us for one year, seriously you don’t want him

  39. Luznic says:

    Nice post Rico even from the Yobo’s aspect as you were making suggestions only…….Morning to you and Morning to every Houser………I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact I have to see a Yanited player play for us…..I like Welbeck but he is from the enemy’s camp…….maybe after the first match anyway I can understand its reality now and I have no choice, an upgrade from Sanogo no doubt

  40. rico says:

    🙂 Micko, why AW sold him when we are so short at the back beggars belief. I have a feeling the under 21’s will be called on…

    Morning Luznic – thanks.. agree re Welbeck which is why I won’t knock him until he’s shown what he’ll be like for us….

  42. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Arsenal’s Champions League squad:

    1. Wojciech Szczęsny, 2. Mathieu Debuchy, 3. Kieran Gibbs, 4. Per Mertesacker, 6. Laurent Koscielny, 7. Tomáš Rosický, 8. Mikel Arteta, 9. Lukas Podolski, 10. Jack Wilshere, 11. Mesut Özil, 13. David Ospina, 14. Theo Walcott, 15. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain*, 16. Aaron Ramsey, 17. Alexis Sánchez, 18. Nacho Monreal, 19. Santi Cazorla, 20. Mathieu Flamini, 21. Calum Chambers, 22. Yaya Sanogo, 23. Danny Welbeck, 24. Abou Diaby, 26. Emiliano Martinez, 27. Serge Gnabry*, 28. Joel Campbell, 34. Francis Coquelin, 35. Gedion Zelalem, 38. Chuba Akpom*, 39. Héctor Bellerín*, 42. Isaac Hayden*, 43. Ryan Huddart*, 45. Alex Iwobi*, 46. Jack Jebb*, 47. Glen Kamara*, 52. Tafari Moore*, 53. Kristoffer Olsson*, 54. Brandon Ormonde-Ottewill*, 57. Josh Vickers*.

  43. BruisedBanana says:

    Morning! Good call on grabbing a freebie…can’t believe it’s not in Miser-Wengers mind!! My preference would be Yepes. Top level experience, played every minute of Columbias World Cup campaign. He’d be a good example to our young CBs, Hayden, Ajayi, Pleguezuelo and Chambers. A good reserve CB and rotation option too. I’d get Ospina to have a word with him!!

  44. Sonnie says:

    Rico, believe me, you can never know more about Yobo than any Nigerian. started his career as a striker in the youth teams. was totally useless. converted to a defender as a senior, and we always prayed he got injured ‘cos somehow he always gets picked by the coaches. summarizes everything wrong with Nigerian football. we don’t need a Squillaci impersonator, and he surely won’t get better playing on the moon.

  46. Micko says:

    Don’t think the Clangers ever had a football team did they !

    BruisedBanana, does your name relate to all of the slightly dodgy yellow away kits we’ve had down the years.

  47. Sammy Nelsons Pants says:

    Take your point Rico, though Khedira and Carvalho rumbled all summer – so it would have been plan D…. Song back on loan :/

  48. Canadian Gooner says:

    Good Morning to The Lady of the House and all fellow Gooners in residence.

    Rico – It’s good to see our positive country lass back. Interesting question re Yobo, I’d vote NO. I’d rather see one of the Young Guns given the opportunity. I believe Kev follows them fairly closely.

    As for Nordveit, I think he wanted to leave to get more regular playing time. It is always a tough call when a player hasn’t yet proved himself, but needs regular playing time to complete/further his development (e.g. Carl Jenkinson). Unlike Abu Dhabi Citeh, Arsene/Arsenal don’t like to warehouse players. If there is no realistic place in the first team in the near future, it’s best to let them go on loan or sell them if they really want to leave.

  49. Sammy Nelsons Pants says:

    …and + 1 on Hayden. Rather than free transfers, IMO he’s going to name him, and Bellerin, part of the senior squad. Haven’t seen Hayden, but Bellerin looks good.

  50. allezkev says:

    Rico, maybe Wenger sold Miquel because of the form of Chambers and possibly because he thinks that Hayden is a better player, or will be by the end of this season…?

  52. fat-gun says:

    Good day all HHers.
    Hi Rico,
    I like welbeck for his never give up attitude. What he lacks with skill, he compensates with hard work. Certainly an upgrade on Sir???goals.
    We need hard working forwards to press the opposition frm higher upfield ala Sanchez

  53. Canadian Gooner says:

    Kev – I think we’ll see Chambers given a chance at the DM position, especially if the team revert to the 4-2-3-1 formation.

  54. Wavy says:

    No Clangers Micko, but Yobo can be relied on to drop 2 or 3 every game/appearance. Not good enough for the Arsenal.
    The idea of finding a ‘good’ defender in the lucky dip free bran tub, is a very good one. One Wenger would love to go bin dipping in! You never know he might even pick the jackpot prize, although who that may be lord only knows.
    The boat has surely sailed, there will be no makeweight defenders coming in. “We’ll go with what we’ve got.”

  56. Canadian Gooner says:

    Scott – I think you’re like me. You don’t get a chance to see the Academy players unless they are called up to the first team for the likes of the League Cup. Other than that, it is text reports of the U18-21 games and the odd video highlight.

  58. Bob John says:

    Afternoon all.
    Brian Kidd was a great signing from the Mancs along with Jimmy Rimmer. The two of them kept us up almost single handed in the later Bertie Mee years! Shame Kidd turned into a bit of a twat and is now remembered for his cavorting on the Old Toilet pitch with Taggart when they beat Sheff Wed in the 25th minute of added time!!!

  59. rejoice says:

    Sonnie. I think you should kindly show some respect to Yobo. He was a good servant to Nigeria for about a decade. Even at the last nation’s and world cups he didn’t do badly. If there were better defenders than Yobo, he won’t have earned more than 100 caps for his country. He may not have been “world class”, but he was good at his prime and to have played for a club like Everton speaks volumes of his ability.
    And to think being Nigerian means you know Nigerian players better than non-Nigerians may not be correct since these players ply their trade in Europe and not in Nigeria.
    I am sure Rico has watched Yobo countless times in the epl to suggest him as a possible freebie.
    Rico, it seems to me that the fans are more desperate to fill what they see as areas of concern than the manager and the board. If the manager and board were as desperate as the fans, they would have done everything to fill these areas of concern before the TW closed.
    I would like to assume, therefore, that these areas would be filled by certain players who were neither sold nor loaned out. Players like le Coq, Hector Bellerin, Hayden etc. Chambers could be drafted to play CDM, Nacho Monreal could cover CB. I would be surprised if Wenger takes a freebie defender, though the man is a difficult book to read.
    The team has, in opinion, two biggest challenges. First, lack of balance between flair and physicality. Man city, Chelshit, the tiny spuds have it. Too many flair players in midfield with no physicality. We have to the balance. We lost costly points on this account last season. The epl experience of Wenger should have addressed it. Waiting.
    Second, injuries. No other factor has conspired to rub us of silverware than injuries. Expecially at crucial points and games. If injuries can be well managed, the squad could go all the way. Here is hoping the new does an excellent job.
    Welcome Welbeck. Make em regret.

  62. Joaquim Moreira says:

    I wrote last two days we must sign one defender who is free. I know there are few like Lugano, a french right back from Naples, etc, but Yepes is ok. I hope AW read this blog.
    Brian Kidd was a good central forward. When he was transfer to Arsenal ? one or two years after City won the League (1968 or 1969) I think)?
    If Wellbeck done at least, the same in the first year, will be good.
    I’m no bother if we will see a few years later, Wellbeck on the bench of the Citizens

  63. Joaquim Moreira says:

    Who can answer me this: since next year, the winner of the European League will be in the Champions League. If a english team win the European League, only the three first teams go to the champions League or still have the first 4 teams?

  65. Woody says:

    I have it from a very reliable source that wenger tried to buy up to 5 defenders but couldn’t get who he wanted so decided it was better to wait until January rather than but someone he couldn’t get rid of.

    Shame there was no mention of a midfielder…

  66. LOLpundit says:

    Hi Rico,

    My apologies for the plug. I will not do it anymore. I am interested to know the better ways.

    LOLpundit

  68. allezkev says:

    Tbh, after the experience of the last few years and with millions in the bank, none of us should be bemoaning the fact that we are ‘still’ a defender and a def/mid light…

    That is the fault of one man….

    He’s had all summer to address those two positions and has patently failed, again…

    The man is a fool to himself…

    No more excuses….

  70. rico says:

    Afternoon all..

    So the general opinion is it’s a no no for Yobo… 😉

    Cg, like you, I don’t get to see the younger players perform so no idea what level Hayden or anyone else is at. Just hope one of them is near to being ready because I have a horrid feeling we’ll be calling on one of them one day soon….

  71. Wath says:

    There was talk that with the Euro co-efficient ratings JM the English clubs may lose a place in the next few yrs or so unless we start to do a little better in the CL, so an English winner would mean yes 5th place may get CL or if we lose a place then it would be 4th only…! if we lose a place then it will revert to only top 3 places

  73. goonster says:

    Morning good people….yobo??? No way. That prick ll score an own goal every ten seconds. Let’s get Mario yepez instead…Am a Nigerian too 😀 at least I dated a Nigerian broad once so hey am Nigerian I guess

  78. Joaquim Moreira says:

    yes, anyway,from this year, the winner of League Champions go to the Champions League next season.
    If applicable this year, would be Seville in CL. I don’t know if goes stringht to the gruoups stages but probably la Real Sociedad will be out of the CL. Then, they are the co-efficient ratings.
    Independent of the co-efficient ratings, what I’d like to know it’s if the winner of the League champions is a english team, only the 1st,2th and the 3th go to the CL
    Scenario: Totts won the League champions ( 🙁 ) but are the 20th of the League ( 🙂 ) they go to the Champions League; the 4th (for instance Chelsea), don’t go.

  79. Rick says:

    JM This is the Rule
    “The winners of the previous seasonsUEFA Europa League will qualify for the Uefa Champions League. They will enter at least the play off round and will enter the group stage if the berth reserved for the champions league title holders is not used.
    The previous limit of a maximum of four teams per association will be increased to five, meaning that if the Champions League title holders or the Europa League title holders are from the top three ranked associations and finish outside the top four of their domestic league, the fourth- placed team of the association WILL NOT be prevented from particpating in the tournament,

    These are UEFA words not mine.

    At the moment we (England)are ranked 2nd so as it stands Chelsea would not miss out.

  80. esxste says:

    JM,

    If I recall the situation occured when Chelsea won the UCL last time. Tottenham placed 4th behind Arsenal, and lost their place even though Chelsea finished below them in the league.

  82. rico says:

    esxste – happened when the Dippers won it too and that’s when the rule was set I think which said that whoever wins the CL goes straight into the following seasons competition at the expense of the 4th placed side in the PL, if the champions finish outside the top 4…

  83. rico says:

    I’m guessing the lack of HH activity reflects the mood of fans after the transfer window shut with the lack of crucial signings….

  84. Luznic says:

    no news Rico, news is hard to come by since the DD, even BBC website lacks news, so sad for the media nothing to feed on

  85. Joaquim Moreira says:

    yes. but that rule change from this year. Its one of the conclusion of the meeting between UEFA and the most important managers last year. Probabaly there will be anothers this year.

  86. rico says:

    Quite a contrast to DD Luznic… lol

    I’ll be glad when Monday is over and we get our boys back and all fit I hope….

  89. Wavy says:

    Ozil was substituted because of injury, apparently. I’ve no idea whether it was serious, semi-serious, precautionary or he’d just had enough of playing ‘soccer’!
    C/o BBC sports day web site.

  98. Hell Raising Devil says:

    Italy 2-0 up vs Holland.

    they are tearing them to shreds.

    Martins sent off after 10 minutes for hauling down an attacker in the penalty area.

  101. allezkev says:

    Yepes, 38, and that plonker let Bobby Pires leave at 32 because he wanted a two year contract….!!!

    You couldn’t make this shit up….

  107. Adam says:

    Morning Rico and Lee and all. Brudder, that was a beautiful video. Who could watch that without a tear in their eye. It says a lot for Villareal. How I wish our own club was more family friendly and inclusive and not quite the money-making machine and pure business it has become. I thought this after seeing Dortmund come to the Emirates and was envious at the relationship between them and their fans. At the end of the games some players just want to get down that tunnel as quickly as possible and it’s always the same ones that walk over to thank the fans for their support. Nobody at Arsenal has ever really understood how important the supporters really are.

  108. rico says:

    Morning Lee, Adam and all.

    What a lovely video, thank goodness the box of tissues were nearby…

    Good to see Celtic’s defence have improved… lol

  113. Adam says:

    Yepes was excellent in the WC though, as was Marques who I remember with animosity from his Barcelona days. It’s all nonsense really though. Horses and stable doors come to mind.

  114. Lee says:

    The sad thing is that there were loads of good players in the world cup that would of strengthened our squad! Trouble is Wenger decided to procrastinate as per usual and we ended up short,AGAIN!
    That’s not negativity that’s reality! Unless you’ve got your Wenger tinted spectacles on or your head firmly up his arse!

  115. rico says:

    I read that we tried to sign many players but they all wanted to be reassured about playing time and Wenger couldn’t give them that assurance so they wouldn’t move..

  119. frednerk says:

    Morning All,
    On the subject of centreback cover,it looks like wenger never wanted one going by the after the lord mayor show did he or did’nt he……………..make an offer,
    I wonder if wenger thinking..this lad chambers is doing alright,
    wonder if Issac Hayden can do the same.
    Love to see that lad come through.

  120. rico says:

    Morning Fred/Rick, dull old day here too….

    How good is Hayden, I haven’t seen him play but he’s the same age Chambers isn’t he?

  121. frednerk says:

    Round about rico,what he has got is a bit of bite,
    at the moment it looks like the coaches are giving him a bit of experience around the pitch..maybe wrong not sure.

  123. Rick says:

    Rico I think I am having trouble with wordpress. Can you check to see if comments I made yesturday are in moderation. There was no response to any off them, which I find very unusual.

    You ask how good is Hayden. I am one of his biggest fans and I am hoping he will be given a chance against Soton to see how close he is to the first team squad. I think that C/H is his best position but others seem to look at him as a D/M.
    Tonight he is playing at C/H for England U20 against Rumania .
    Akpom is also playing
    See you later

  124. rico says:

    Nothing in moderation Rick, I checked earlier. Maybe they went into Spam which was emptied earlier too. Will keep an eye out today…

    Thanks re Hayden… Do you know if the u21 game is televised?

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