Etienne Capoue may well be the latest Yann M’Vila. That’s in the sense that he’s the latest French International that has been ‘lined up’ to add some steel to Arsenal’s midfield (According to the Daily Star).
Yann has been the subject of Arsenal interest for a number of months now, but it looks like he’s going to end up at QPR. As Harry Redknapp himself admits, he’s had a few off-the-field problems and this seems to have both lowered his price and driven Arsene Wenger away (which doesn’t seem like the Professors normal response!)
As a result, Arsenal may need to look elsewhere to find a player who can offer a similarly physical and tenacious approach.
This is something that the Gunners have been missing since they sold Alex Song to Barcelona last summer.
Many fans feel that the Arsenal midfield currently lacks balance, with Jack Wilshere, Mikel Arteta and Santi Cazorla all gifted, but somewhat similar players. Capoue would certainly offer something a little different.
Capoue strikes me as a rather similar player to Newcastle United’s Cheick Tiote. They’re both agile, energetic footballers, who cover a lot of ground, make a lot of interceptions and break up a lot of moves. They both also pick up an unnaturally large number of yellow cards.
Wherever he may end up, Capoue looks like he has all the attributes necessary to succeed in the Premier League. Even the French international side recognize his quality – he’s been capped four times.
But I’m not sure he’s the right player for Arsenal. Yes, the Gunners may need to mix it up a little, stirring a little steel into their midfield, but don’t they already have the players to do that?
Should Abou Diaby get a run of games together, he has the stature and the power to act as an imposing Yaya Toure type. Somebody, who can play both a defensive role and an attacking role. Then there’s Francis Coquelin, who looked really good again Swansea City in Arsenal’s last FA Cup fixture.
Like Capoue, he’s an energetic defensive midfielder. He can also pass the ball about neatly and appears to be well disciplined, well organized and a player with real potential. I think it would be a shame to sign Capoue (now 24-years-old) and force Coquelin to play his football elsewhere.
Like everyone else, I’m keen to see Arsenal make signings – I’m just not sure this is the right one.
What’s your take? Would Etienne Capoue be a good addition for this Arsenal side?
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Coqulin z beta dan capoau
we need a ready DM,not a project! coquelin is a project,ready in 2 or more seasons.diaby has always been a box to box midfielder and lost his aggresiveness defensively after the leg break,therefore don’t even think he’ll bring that balance defensively.capoue will definately fill that role comfortably,we really need a steel DM n he fits the bill.that position is so crucial if we get one,because it has really restrained artetas’ game this season.AW should look for one,then more chances will be created because all our central midfielders worry alot about defending that they never really attack with much freedom.if it’s one signing to be made,definately,he should get a DM.
I agree we need a strong dm player who comes in and hits the ground running..!
Abou Diaby is agood player,and if he could get over these injuries,and play regulary he could be a great player,put for a big man he’s very fragile
and i hope i’m wrong,but i carn’t see him finishing the season off without other injuries,so we must buy another strong midfielder,Coquelin
is not quite ready yet,so get your cheque book out Arsene,times running out. (ALL THE BEST TOMORROW LAD’S,UP THE GUNNERS.)
I stopped reading at “according to The Daily Star”
Definitely get third man. I’ve been watching Toulouse games all season , he’s a Lion. And can play cb an holding mf. He’s more Kompany than Diaby.
M’Villa maybe have an excellent potential but, he appears to be another Joey Barton in the making. On and off field problems are something that cannot be solved easily. He attack a young boy staying with him! Also, shows defference to authority, good luck to the club that signs him.
Coq can be Diaby backup. He will be the utility player that every teams needs.
Wilshire pushing further up looks to be his best position. That leaves Cazorla back to his original wing position, right wing suits him better.
Will be interesting to play Walcott and awilshire upfront, with cazorla and Ox/Podolski on the wings. Maybe not, as the two front men appears to be too small.
What we don’t need is Wenger building a squad out of a dozen short-arse attack-minded central midfielders. They can’t be wingers, or strikers, or holding midfelders.
If we had a properly balanced squad it would make a huge difference. Diaby’s recent return is proof of that. Wilshere, Arteta and Cazorla together have no balance at all. Rosicky and Ramsey will struggle to get any game time.
Coquelin and Frimpong may be on the way to developing as holding midfielders, but there is no-one experienced in the squad filling that role, and no-one they can learn from.
Coquelin is naturally more defensively minded than Wilshere/Arteta/Cazorla and he did have a great games against Swansea but he’s certainly no PV4. If we’re looking for someone who can make as many interceptions and break up attacks as well as Vieira did, then I’m not sure that Coquelin will ever do that. Then again there aren’t many DFMs around today that are as good as Patrick was.