It’s interesting that Arsenal haven’t been strongly linked to Micah Richards before this point. Just check out these quotes from the player back in 2007:
“I was a big Ian Wright fan when I was younger so I supported Arsenal. Wright and Patrick Vieira were my idols, so yeah, if the opportunity came to play for them one day I’d take it.” (Source: Nuts Magazine, via HitC)
It seems the opportunity never presented itself. This, I think its due to the Gunners’ security in the right-back position, with Bacary Sagna remaining one of the Premier League’s best for the last three-four years and Manchester City’s financial security.
City have no pressing need to sell any of their players. It’s for this reason that they can play hardball in negotiations and make sure that they can get a decent price. Arsene Wenger is notoriously averse to getting caught up in long-running transfer sagas and remains completely unwilling to pay above market-price for a player.
But now both circumstances appear to be changing. Sure, City still have an infinite supply of cash, but the value they can place on the English full-back is dwindling. After all, it’s clear that they don’t value Richards, who was offered just 8 appearances last season. That’s pretty disappointing for a man who was once made City’s youngest ever first team captain.
Whilst he once held an important position in this City squad, I don’t think that’s the case anymore. It would be wrong to hold him back, if there could be game-time for him elsewhere. Besides, Arsenal sold City Gael Clichy for just £7m. Maybe City will return the favour?
Then there’s Bacary Sagna. Whilst he was once ‘Mr Consistent’, two leg-breaks in the space of one season have slowed him down considerably. There were times last season when he appeared to be a complete liability.
It’s good to see the Gunners weighing up other options. I’d be especially keen for Micah, an Arsenal fan, to make his way over to the Emirates.
He’s just 25-years-old, he’s tough as nails, he’s quick down the flanks and is equally strong defensively as he is going forward. He’d also add to Arsenal’s British core (Aaron Ramsey, The Ox, Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Theo Walcott, etc.)
The Mirror claim that Micah could be available for £12m. At that price, I’d argue he would be a worthy investment.
What’s your take? Should Micah Richards finally get offered an opportunity to play for Arsenal?
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Great article i agree with everything you say about him he quick and strong.
I would love to see micha richards at arsenal he is wot we need if sagna leaves. Jenkins could learn alot off him.
Another diaby , but with a weight problem. Jenkinson is better cover or a replacement for sagna, and also a hard core gooner. None of this should detract from the focus on getting higuain, Fellaini , Cesar and maybe Williams. It’s nearly 10 years go since we have not reinvested in our spine, and guess what, we haven’t won anything since then.
Micah,a good one 4 arsenal he has all wht it takes 2 suceed in emirates am a big fan of him.
id love him at arsenal solid right-back
mr wenger needs to get his finger out and show the fans it was because he came from the french youth and new all the best players coming through that we done so well
all im reading is talk about signings everywhere so how about we sign them and get them training with us asap so they are ready… id like to see richards williams 2 defensive mids rooney and a left winger if ox wants to play in the middle
No doubt that the signing of Micah Richards will be fabulous and stunning and will increase the strength of our team defensive & offensive from the right side, because we suffered a lot last season from the right side due to the low performance of Bacary Sagna and inexperience Jankson who needs two seasons More at least to reach the performance required for representation in the highest levels with a high-level team like Arsenal and stability to the desired performance.
Also, this signing will have a significant impact in creating competition between players and who will be the number one choice of Mr. Arsene Wenger at the back right, especially that the World Cup will be next summer and as everyone knows that the greatest dream of any football player in the world is to represent his country at the World Cup and this is without a doubt will be reflected positively on the performance of the players in this position , and the best example of this is the strong competition and sophisticated and higher performance from Gibbs and Monreal which they have shown as last sesson in the left back side .
overall we trust the boss & we trust all hes decisions & he is the only person who knows what the team needs and what is the best for the team.
In Arsene Wenger we trust & <3
Arsenal forward 4ever
Before all this, the main priority & the main target for Arsenal is to find a player to replace Diaby and be better than him as a central midfield & be able to play the role of center midfielder box to box with high performance in defense and attack, and everyone could see the defrens in many games win Diaby is not playing how the team suffers to move the ball faster and also the team movement becomes slower as moveing & switching from defense to attack or from attack to defense , and the best example of what I say is to watch Arsenal and Newcastle in the 2010 season / 2011, which ended 4-4, and how the performance of the team changed 100% after the departure of Diaby by the red card and how everything has changed, and also watch our game against Liverpool last season at Anfield, which we won 2-0 and considered by most analysts as the best match we performe last season in & which Diaby was the Man of the Match & it was one of hes best games he played in Arsenal shirt.
On this basis, must be a priority & the main target whatever it takes to get a player to replace Diaby with a high potential and capacity and physical to play this role and also have a Good experience in European high level PL , and if we look at the number of players who meet these specifications there is only a few of them (Yahya Toure, Marouane Fellaini, Ramirez, Sami Khedira, Sebastian Shwenstaeger, Tony kroos) and thay are the best quality despite the presence of other players in their power performance of this role such as Diame or Anaemia and capue but certainly thay are less quality than Diaby and than the other names i side befor , and from my opinion i see that ther is only one player available in the market and his club dos not mind selling him & who has the quality and specifications required to replace Diaby is the afropawer (Marouane Fellaini) it must be purchased to be the first signing whatever it takes and whatever the cost is .
because if Arsenal loss the race to get hes signing , from my opinion I see & I think it is going to be difficult for Arsenal to return to the lost performance and unit that much since Patriak Vieira departure in 2005 , & it well be hard to return to the beautiful style of play coupled with the positive results.
(Fellaini + rest of the team) under the leadership of Arsene Wenger = success & creativity
This ‘supported Arsenal as a kid’ thing always makes me laugh when it comes up. Do you really thing who he “supported” as a kid would have any baring on where he plays his football?!?
“After all, it’s clear that they don’t value Richards, who was offered just 8 appearances last season. That’s pretty disappointing for a man who was once made City’s youngest ever first team captain.”
The above is rubbish mate, he was injured most of last season….