Typical isn’t it? Arsenal record a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Everton and a few days later pick up a link to one of the Toffee’s best performers.
The player in question is John Stones, who put in a rock-like performance against The Gunners last Sunday. Whilst Arsenal were hardly at their best, Stones covered a lot of ground, made a number of interceptions and a couple of last ditch challenges.
It was an all action performance – a coming of age of sorts. Don’t forget, Stones is just 19-years-old. He’s quickly established himself in the first team at Everton thanks to the absence of Phil Jagielka and it’s easy to see why Arsenal might be interested.
Earlier in the season, Arsenal’s defensive reputation was sound. Unfortunately, this reputation has unraveled as the season has progressed. The club has now recorded massive away defeats to Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City. They need to find a way of stopping this from happening.
Whether signing John Stones is the answer is anybody’s guess. He cost Everton just £3m last summer, but his price-tag will only have risen over the summer.
Everton are in a tough position. They have a lot of talented players, but limited financial muscle. If they do receive big money offers for players like Ross Barkley, Leighton Baines, or even John Stones, I’m not sure Roberto Martinez will be in a position to turn them down.
In other words, there could be a deal to be done, if Arsenal are interested.
The player’s versatility is something that’s sure to appeal to Arsene Wenger. Whilst he’s primarily a centre-back, he can also play in the right-back position. With Bacary Sagna’s future uncertain, he could be a particularly good fit for Arsenal, if they’re willing to take a gamble on a young player.
I’m sure that Arsene Wenger wont make any decisions on the basis of one game. If he’s interested in John Stones, it’s because he’s been following him for some time. If that’s the case, then full speed ahead Arsene!
What’s your take? Should The Gunners really be pursuing this Everton talent? Should Arsene Wenger look at some more experienced options?
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This article shows a clear mis-undertanding of Evertons position, why wasn’t baines sold last year when a big money offer came in? If they are to finish 4h the CL money along with the reported 40m Martinez is already sitting on and the new TV money, why would Everton have to sell? That’s before you ask why Stones would move to a team below them in the league, same as our others going to spurs and united.
Don’t expect Everton to sell big names this summer the days of that left when Moyes did.
Report: Must try harder.
First of all, who says Everton don’t have any financial muscle? Sales of a few players plus Fellaini, even when taking into consideration the purchase of James McCarthy means an overall profit of ~£20 million, combined with TV money and increasingly likely European qualification will mean a lot more. Secondly, Leighton Baines and Ross Barkley signed new deals earlier in the season. Thirdly, the only time Stones was played as a right-back Everton got hammered by Liverpool.
Do your research first, rather than brandishing speculative drivel.
They can be interested all they like, Everton won’t sell him to them.
I always find in these type of articles that it helps to have a clue about football and what is the actual financial position of a club before making these stories up. Is this just to get the site hits?