da dobrowin：
da mrbet：
As Arsene Wenger reassess his options in defence ahead of the new season speculation is rife that he will opt for an English centre back. The gossip columns have linked Arsenal with a move for Everton’s Phil Jagielka but have more recently focused on Bolton’s 24-year old defender, Gary Cahill. Willam Gallas, Sol Campbell and Mikael Silvestre have all left the Emirates on free transfers this summer while Philippe Senderos sealed a switch to Fulham. Arsenal’s back line is urgently in need of reinforcements and could it be that Arsene Wenger has finally listened to those pundits who have consistently bemoaned a lack of home-grown grit and resilience in his side? If so, can Gary Cahill fit the bill?
Wenger has previously alluded to the pressure he felt to satisfy Arsenal fans by signing English players. But with high profile flops such as Francis Jeffers, his sides over the years have frequently featured no English players in the starting XI. This represents no favouritism or bias on Wenger’s part as he has long criticised the over inflated value of domestic players in the transfer market and the relative lack of top quality English players. Whilst Arsenal’s fluid, passing style entertains many have questioned their grit and determination to the extent that it has become trite to do so. Furthermore with holding players such as Alexandre Song and Abou Diaby the side should have enough strength and physicality to compete. However it may be a lack of concentration and strength in depth which has undone Arsenal’s back line. Back in April, the Gunners’ title hopes were dashed by a youthful, pacy Wigan side who came from two goals down to put three past Arsenal in the final ten minutes.
Could Bolton’s Gary Cahill be the antidote to these defensive frailties? The former Villan harboured hopes of making Fabio Capello’s World Cup squad but narrowly missed out after enduring a disrupted season in which he spent two months on the sidelines after undergoing surgery for a blood clot. Since joining Bolton Wanderers in 2008 he has gained many admirers for his defensive displays. He has been credited with having excellent positional play and a commanding presence in the air. Much to Wenger’s pleasure he appears comfortable on the ball and is not one for attempting elaborate, speculative passes from the back. The Bolton man additionally poses a goal threat from set pieces, exploiting space in the opposition penalty area and using his physical presence. What Arsenal desperately need at the back though is leadership and at just 24 there is scant evidence that Cahill has mastered the ability to chastise, organise and rally those around him. Nevertheless working with a top management team such as Wenger and Pat Rice could instil these qualities into Cahill. The issue of leadership has posed serious questions for Arsenal in recent years, particularly after Gallas’ sit down protest at St Andrews following Eduardo’s horrific injury.
For Cahill’s current manager, Owen Coyle the defender has all the attributes to make him a top player with any elite club. Having described him as the “full package,” Coyle has highlighted his qualities as well as citing his mental toughness after returning so soon from serious injury. The Bolton boss has previously stated that he would not stand in the way of his talented centre back if big clubs come in for him. Wenger could do a lot worse than consider a move for this promising defender but with rival clubs expected to compete for his signature Arsenal would not welcome the prospect of a bidding war. Coyle has intimated that the player’s availability would rest on a substantive sum in the region of £30 million. Having already paid £10 million for Laurent Koscielny it may be money which once again prohibits Wenger turning to English players.