By all accounts, Swansea City have had an excellent season. The work Michael Laudrup has done this year is nothing short of remarkable. Who would have bet on them winning the Capital One cup?
But it’s also hard to argue with those who claim that the Swans have gone off the boil since bringing the League cup to Wales. It’s hard to blame the players really, but it’s been clear that they haven’t played with the same motivation, drive or vigour since they sunk the big prize.
As a result, they’ve plummeted down the table and lost any real shot they had at acquiring European football next season.
Starting strong is one thing, but maintaining it over the course of a long season, in the face of any number of triumphs and disappointments, is something else. The ability to do this, is what separates the best from the rest.
With that in mind, I fear for Swansea City a little bit. Their best players will likely be snapped up this summer and it’s unlikely that Laudrup will pull off another Michu-esque signing to help them come back strong again next term.
The club’s captain, Ashley Williams, is arguably their key man. He’s their defensive rock, their leader, an organiser and oftentimes, their inspiration. He’s been a big part of the club’s success and will likely attract the attention of the top Premier League clubs this summer.
The Mirror has previously claimed that Arsene Wenger whispered ‘sweet nothings in William’s ear’, after an Arsenal victory over Swansea last month. Now they claim that the Gunners are stepping up their interest in Williams.
This wouldn’t surprise me. Arsenal have struggled with their defense this season. Players like Thomas Vermaelen and Per Mertesacker have convinced nobody and Arsene may have to turn to the transfer market to provide a fix to his broken back-four.
Williams would certainly add a bit of zip to the Gunner’s back-line. He’s a talented centre-back, who positions himself well, throws himself into tackles and wins a lot of balls in the air. Best of all, he’s also a leader. This is something Arsenal seem to lack at the back.
He plays for Swansea, so he’s used to watching midfielders pass the ball about quickly and take risks in front of the back-four. He has a number of qualities that seem to suggest he’d be a perfect fit for Arsenal.
Best of all, he’d cost just £10m (according to The Mirror). For that money, I’d say Williams is a gamble worth taking for Arsenal.
What’s your take? Should Arsenal swoop for the Swan’s captain?
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Per mertie has convinced nobody you
say? Mertie is not a leader? Come on!
Sorry to be a pain – a few factual corrections
1. Swansea are already in Europe
2. Swansea have not slipped down the league as a result of a poor run (they are in fact in the same position)
3. Michu is staying
4. Ashley has been great for Swansea but £10M is good money and we have a ready made replacement as a Center half (yes Center half!!) in ben Davies
What utter balderdash, when did we plummet down the table, ummmmm, we havnt, we have constantly remained 8-10th position. Lost any real shot at European football, hahaha, winning the Cap One cup guaranteed entry to Europa League qualifying rounds. Possibly the most poorly researched article I have ever read. Dont give up the day job !!!
I DONT RATE ASHLEY WILLIAMS AT ALL, LOOKS WELL DODGY AT TIMES, NOT A ARSENAL PLAYER FOR ME!!!
Poor Article and lazy journalism…
“The Swans have plummeted down the table”… Eh wrong, Swansea City are in 9th place in the league, where they have been for most of the season.
“The Swans have lost any real shot they had at acquiring European football next season”… Wrong again, European qualification already secured by winning the Leauge Cup!
Mertesacker has convinced nobody? You’re perhaps from Mars,if not, you know nothing about football. Do you want to mean that Williams would seamlessly walk into that team at the expense of the giant German? Let me make it categorically clear to you Mr. Mertesacker is miles away in terms of class and there’s no way Williams can play at his expense. If he came, he would be content with a place on the bench, third behind the German you malign, and Koscielny because they’re faaaaaaaaaaaar better!
Do you know anything about arsenal? Mertesacker has been one of the stand out performers for arsenal this season. He is better than williams. If william is coming to arsenal, he won’t replace BFG but vamaelen.
wow!
Poorly researched article i think you know nothing abot arsenal..total crap
Oh gosh, the mirror reporting tripe about Swansea, again. Blah blah blah. Don’t ever, ever believe anything they say about Swansea. Very very anti !! Just a Cardiff newspaper who are bias…… B.t.w Williams isn’t going anywhere. He knows where his bread is buttered. Fact.