News recently hit the net that Arsenal had agreed terms with Yoann Gourcuff, who was set to join the club before Wenger stopped the move upon hearing of his knee problem. This is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, Yoann is a great player who would have added some much needed quality to this Arsenal side. Secondly, Arsene signed both Mikel Arteta and Yossi Benayoun without giving either a medical. All these signings were in some sense a bit of a risk so why didn’t Arsene take a swoop for Gourcuff who doubtless would have been able to inject some much needed quality into this Arsenal side.
At 25-years-old he also wouldn’t have been one of those inexperienced young starlets that Wenger likes to buy. He would have been a player with his peak years just in front of him who has proven that he has the ability to perform at the highest level.
Gourcuff usually operates as an attacking midfielder and is renowned for his excellent playmaking skills, his ability to pick out a pass and his vision and reading of the game. I do agree that some pundits have gone a little overboard of their praise of the Yoann (Ginola called him the best French player of his generation, which seems a little far-fetched) but he’s certainly a very special talent.
He started his career at Rennes quickly establishing himself as something of a fan favourite and attracting attention from Europe’s top teams. This interest eventually ended with a move to Serie A club AC Milan with whom he stayed until 2009. After that he head back to France to play with Bordeaux before finally winding up with Lyon.
He has picked up numerous individual honours throughout his career including the UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Year award and he was named French Player of the Year in 2009.
He’s also taken up Zinedine Zidane’s role in the French national team, pulling the strings in the playmaker position. This is clearly a player with a lot of credentials and ability who would have really added something to this Arsenal team.
There are those who might suggest that he’s a little inconsistent and that he hasn’t had the best run of form since joining Lyon. Yet I can’t help but feel that the right move would have kick-started his career. Surely Arsene made a mistake in ending the move because he was injured?
Should Arsene have finalised a move for Yoann Gourcuff? Let us know!
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The reason arteta and co didn’t have a medical is because wenger didn’t sign them. The board pushed it through. Imagine the board didn’t get involved, we would be bottom of the EPL.
Instead of him buy marvin martin or marko marin,they are consistent than him.
In 3years time after Gourcuff would have joined one of the Manc. Clubs ‘I almost signed him but we had just signed Arteta n Benayoun. And we didnt want to kill Ramsey, he’s got to play st some point u know. Mercu borqu.’
haha nice one 😀
Wenger prefers squillaci-type of players.
Lyon refused to accept any offers for Gourcoff..that is the reason he never signed for Arsenal…get your facts right!
I think it is high time we keep on saying this. AW is looking at the prospect of using Ramsey & JW as his attacking midfield instead of buying the French player, but nevertheless Yoann G. is a player with many experience.
Isn’t it just hilarious, all these blogs by armchair managers, riddled with inaccuracies and ignorance. But hey, never let the facts ruin the chance of a pot shot at Wenger.
you would ve bn the first one saying, he’s signed an injured player. arsene will just never with with you wingers.