Source: Daily_Mail
Sol Campbell is hardly Arsenal's answer when William Gallas could have stayed on
When William Gallas staged his childish lone sit-down protest at Birmingham two years ago there cannot have been many who thought hisdeparture would leave a huge hole at Arsenal.[LNB]But as Arsene Wenger tries to fine-tune his squad for theforthcoming season the gap left by the former Chelsea defender isproving devilishly difficult to fill.[LNB]Experienced, physically-imposing, quality defenders are hard to come by at a decent price.[LNB] [LNB]That was then: Williams Gallas protests against Birmingham...[LNB]That is why the Arsenal manager is still ready to resort toresigning Sol Campbell - even though agreeing to Gallas' two-yearcontract demands when the club had the chance may have providedbetter value.[LNB]... but this is now: Sol Campbell could replace Gallas in defence[LNB]Wenger has taken what he would describe as a gamble in bringing in Laurent Koscielny, 24, from L'Orient for £10 million.[LNB]The 6ft 1in centre back has potential and adds a much-needed moreyouthful look to the defence, but he also looks lightweight and notquite another Thomas Vermaelen yet.[LNB]With Arsenal's goalkeeper situation another unresolved issue, Koscielny will be given time to adapt.[LNB]JohanDjourou still has work to do after injury last year and Wenger's squadlacks a central partner on Vermaelen's level with the season only threeweeks away.[LNB]Campbell, 36 in September, could still do a job but he does not havethe pace of Gallas and is not the answer to an area of the team Wengersees as a problem.[LNB] The manager has claimed Campbell - also wanted by Newcastle, Sunderland and Celtic - is in 'no man's land'.[LNB]But that is where Arsenal will find themselves if top-class reinforcements at the back are not found soon.[LNB]*****Bernie Ecclestone says he is a Chelsea fan, doesn't care about QPR, could do without the hassle of promotion to the Premier League and cannot name a player in Neil Warnock's squad.[LNB]Those unfamiliar with his sometimes incendiary comments and who were expecting Rangers' high profile shareholder and Formula 1 commercial supremo to show a bit more nous and diplomacy will be surprised.[LNB]But the David Brent-style motivational speech would have chimed with many who are more familiar with the QPR set-up.[LNB]After 46 permanent transfer deals (players bought and sold) and 40 loan signings in the three years Ecclestone and his friends have been in charge of the club, he is not the only one who has not been able to keep up with who is in their squad.[LNB]*****[LNB]Simply the best: And Ashley Cole knows it as well[LNB]Chelsea are making all the right noises about keeping Ashley Cole but they really have no room for error this time.[LNB]Chairman Bruce Buck gave assurances the defender's namesake Joe would not be leaving this summer while they were still negotiating a new deal and look where he has ended up.[LNB]Ashley Cole's situation is different in as much as his contract at Chelsea is not about to expire.[LNB]But the spotlight on his private life has made a move to Real Madrid and a reunion with Jose Mourinho all the more likely.[LNB]Cole would be keen but Chelsea need to pull out all the stops to change his mind.Whatever people think of him as a person, he is just about the best left-back in the world and if Chelsea are worried about their playing prospects rather than their image or broader popularity they cannot let him leave.[LNB]*****[LNB]Wise words: Joe Cole knew exactly what he was saying[LNB]Joe Cole has always seemed the non-confrontational sort; someone who tries very hard not to say the wrong thing.[LNB]So kicking-off his Liverpool career by antagonising great swathes of supporters across the country showed just how desperate he is to be liked at Anfield.[LNB]Cole's claim that he left Chelsea for 'the biggest club in the country' will annoy a few at Stamford Bridge, never mind those at Old Trafford and The Emirates.[LNB]But it should also help win over die-hard Scousers who have never taken that well to London lads' such as Cole.[LNB]His Chelsea connection is not one he wants to play up at Anfield, where the Kop despise his old club and regularly insist they have 'no history'.[LNB]Instead, Cole has sparked a thousand debates on the stature of various clubs instead.[LNB]Here's to him spinning as well with the ball at his feet.[LNB][LNB][LNB] [LNB]
