It’s not all that surprising, considering Newcastle’s barnstorming season last year, that many of their players have become targets for the established elite. It seems rather obvious, say, that following the sale of Arsenal’s faux-defensive midfielder Alex Song, the club should be linked to Magpie dynamo Cheick Tiote. Indeed, The Metro have gone ahead and joined the dots. But is it a move that would make sense for any of the parties involved?
Alex Song’s absence does indeed leave Arsenal with a need for a little more physicality. As a club that are often accused of lacking fight, or ‘getting bullied’, they run the risk of playing to their stereotype if they don’t make suitable additions in this department. Arsenal are a club who need to have leaders in every position if they’re to recover their belief. And by leaders, I mean players who can take a kick without letting it frustrate their playing style.
Arsenal fan’s most persistent memory of the tenacious Newcastle midfielder will be his absolute screamer in the Toon’s unforgettable 4-4 comeback against the Gunners. Of course, he’s better known for his strength and power in the heart of Newcastle’s midfield than he is for scoring goals.
He’s come an awfully long way since his £3.5m move from FC Twente (and his price-tag has multiplied too). Two seasons in the Premier League have catapulted him to prominence and he’s now one of the Magpie’s most important players. It’s certainly fair to say that Alan Pardew won’t let him go without a fight. What’s more, the player seems to be happy at Newcastle.
Arsenal would likely have to offer over the odds to persuade him to sell. So would it be worth it? Whilst Tiote is probably a better defensive midfielder than Alex Song (at least in the traditional sense) he doesn’t share his creativity. One of the best aspects of Song’s game was his ability to link up with strikers and help add fluidity to the Gunner’s attack. Suffice to say, he wouldn’t be a very Wenger-like signing.
He’s also a player that seems to act as a magnet for yellow cards. In all these respects, he just doesn’t seem to be much like an Arsenal player. I just can’t see Wenger letting Song go and replacing him with Tiote. Though stranger things have happened…
What’s your take? Would Cheick Tiote be a smart addition for Arsenal?
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If anyone comes in for Tiote – or any of our stars for that matter – United will demand top dollar, in fact Mike Ashley will nail them to the wall and apply thumbscrews!! (remember what we did to Liverpool over Andy Carroll?)
Good luck – and don’t forget to bring all of your hard-earned Champions League money with you – you’ll need it!!
Why would Tiote leave NUFC a team going up with a good manager, for Arsenal a team in serious decline and a fading manager ? It makes no sense
Utd we are not looking at him so stop fretting.
You think Arsene didn’t know about him before newcastle have a laugh.and what’s to say if we did want him that he would not hand in a transfer request and you would have to sell for less.
Just think if the top clubs really want a player they are more than likely to get there way.Champions league football is a massive thing.
Arsenal could buy Tiote if they wanted, we’re not denying that. We’re simply saying it will cost you serious money. Ashley drives a hard bargain and he doesn’t compromise on his valuations. Tiote is very happy at Newcastle, and you’re dreaming if you think he’ll force through a move in the next few days.
I fully expect Tiote to leave in the next couple of years, but when he does it will be for a massive profit on our £3 mill investment. And we will use that money to sign 4 more excellent players which “Wenger knew about before” (LOL)
Can’t see Arsenal paying the 20 million price tag to be fair. If I’m honest I’d take that as a Toon fan. He gets too many yellows and has a habit of giving balls always in goalscoring positions for the opposing side. Good player but Anita may well push him onto the bench.
n1 gooner
he left Champions league football to join the toon. Won’t want to move to a club that can no longer challenge for the title. Top club maybe. AFC are no longer that
This bid doesnt make sense when Arsenal could pick up M’Vila for cheaper. you wont lose M’vila to the ACON every other year either.
I don’t see Arsenal to sign in a new player, i know Wenger tradition and how he is good on dragging issue to buy time so that no one will blame him when time runs out of him. Typical Wenger never change tactics.
Dries Mertens for RVP from PSV, and Biglia for D. Midfielder, so many fast feet with glue for ball control nobody would get it of Cazorla, Arteta, Biglia