Appiah Linked + No Ramsey Bid From Cardiff
According to reports, Arsenal are keeping tabs on Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah.
It was reported that West Ham had also made an offer for the former Fenerbahce midfielder, but Arsene Wenger could also be on the look out for the experienced stalwart.
Appiah is one of the most highly regarded midfielders in Africa and has been named in his country’s national squad for the first time in nearly a year.
Since the departure of Mathieu Flamini and Gilberto Silva, Arsenal have yet to have made moves in the transfer market to replace either; apart from signing youngster Amaury Bischoff.
The 27-year-old Accra-born star would add plenty of experience to his squad; and his signing on a free transfer would be outside of the transfer window.
In other news, Cardiff have denied reports that suggested they tried to lure Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey back to Ninian Park on loan.
Reports on Tuesday indicated the Bluebirds made contact with Arsenal to check whether they could have the 17-year-old – who only moved to the Emirates for £5million in the summer – back on a short-term loan deal.
But Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale revealed to the BBC:
“No approach has been made.”
Boss Dave Jones is on the lookout for a new midfielder after losing Riccardo Scimeca for at least two months with ankle ligament damage but Ramsey was seemingly not an option.
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About The Author
Chris Wheatley
Editor and founder of Gooner Talk. Former Arsenal correspondent for Goal.
i check steven appiah wiki pedia it says he is going to have a meedical at arsenal this thursday!
So what, Aren't the transfer windows shut?
he's a free agent
Oh, Thankyou.
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11670_40…
Sky Sports have just done an article on it.
PLZ WENGER SIGN STEPHEN APPIAH!!
and yep, he's a free agent which means he can join outside of the transfer window.
Don't believe that news on Wikipedia – anyone can update it and it's probably nonsense. Having said that Appiah would be a good signing for us, and on a free we can afford to take a risk with his dodgy knee. He certainly would replace the Flamini energy we lack at the moment. I'd go as far as saying if he did come in we look more like title contenders than last season.
Im waiting till its on Arsenal.com. Anyway why is he a free agent? Did he get released?
Didn't realise he was only 27 (28 in December).
Surely if unproven, injury prone Bischoff is worth a gamble, then the experianced, proven at international and champions league level, although injury prone Appiah is worth a gamble too?
All I know is, if West Ham was the only team on his radar he would have signed for them by now. It looks like he's holding out for something else….hopefully it is us.
He'd certainly give us some physical power that we currently lack.
Isnt this convenient for arsene. Well I think its a disgrace that we're now compting with west ham to pick up a 2nd rate DM cos wenger was too tight go spend some money. Well i hope we dont get him.I also hope we dont get champions league football next year. And most importantly I hope wenger stops lying to the fans that have shown him so much loyalty. This is season 4 since our last trophy. Wenger out?
hes got injury problems and recently some personal issues to boot so he a man in need of some direction
We could do worse i suppose but its crazy to see excitement over this “story/link” simply cause everyone wants a signing
top comments irishgooner way to back the team we need more 'fans' like you
So let me get this straight, you dont your own team to to do well and want the greatest manager in our history gone becuase your not happy with the lack of transfer activity?
So let me get this straight, you dont your own team to to do well and want the greatest manager in our history gone becuase your not happy with the lack of transfer activity?
Irishgooner,
I'd like to know when you and Arsene had a conversation and he lied to you?
I'll remind you we competed with West Ham for Adebayor.
Curbishly has just resigned so the Hammers might be otherwise engaged. 🙂
irishgooner 8 minutes ago
You might be right that he is second rate, but I doubt it – he is after all captain of a strong footballing nation. However, more importantly, you haven't really learned much about Arsene have you? There's no need to equate spending lots of money on a player as guaranteeing quality. In fact some of our best players were bought for a mere pittance compared to the fees clubs like Chelsea, ManU, Spuds and Liverpool. He probably has tried to sign players for midfield … Alonso most probably but he will not – nor should he – pay over what he believes is the right price. His error, if it is one, is simply to try to make the maximum out of the limited money he has available to him. Risking not getting anyone in by taking it to the wire was probably a mistake but a calculated risk without doubt – like it or not Wenger does know what he is doing.
I said he lied to the fans about a mojor signing, which he did. I'm just p*ssed off by how arsene handled the window this year. Ive seen Appiah play and I dont think he's good enough. And Lemonsoul, Do you think you're a great 'fan' following bilndly? The fans need to speak up. We cannot accept falling further behind. Thats what seems to happen every transfer window.
I wouldn't mind Appiah. It's a worry that he'll take time to adapt to England, but he's an experienced player and would do a better job than Denilson. He's not going to win any games for us, but he'll do until the kids grow up. Waiting for the kids to grow up is the only way we're going to improve substantially, anyway.
But if this is real, why wasn't he signed earlier on? A free or not, you would'be thought Wenger would've had him training with us for the pre-season.
Irish gooner,
When did wenger promise a major signing? And yes as 'fans' we do follow blindly, we have no divine right to expect success. If you are a shareholder your rights are different but i'm guessing you're not.
Conolly, it might be that with all other options gone, he has turned to Appiah.
Remember in 2006 WC this guy bossed the midfield more than Essien for Ghana, he is class act, experienced, a natural leader and physically he would be a monster in the middle of the park.
Irishgooner,
Granted Wenger dug himself in a bit of a hole by promising a new signing and not delivering. BUT we dont know how much exactly liverpool wanted for Alonso or the prices clubs we demanding for players we were after, I would rather the club not pay overinflated prices or get ripped off, I always trust Arsene Wenger to do what he feels is best for the club, and that includes making sure we have the right players to challenge for honors and that we dont get ripped off.
Secondly we beat Man U to signing that they thought was “in the bag” and signed the hottest young talent in France. So there is no way we are getting left behind. We just dont spend overinflated prices.
We have looked a little weak in the first few games this season, but that's just it. It's only a few games. I don't rate Eboue, Bendtner or Denilson, but other than that we have a squad capable of competing for trophies. We might not have splashed out 30 million on one player but we paid less than 10 for Eduardo! So I for one still trust Wenger and like the stability of our board.
And speaking of Eduardo, look at what happened to him! Football can sometimes slap you in the face without warning. For all we know, City could end up paying Robinho his 92k a week to lay on the physios table for a year! Of course it's exciting signing the big names, but isn't everyone getting ahead of themselves claiming it's a new order in the Prem? There are plenty of clubs who could match the sort of wages City could offer and these sort of mercenaries can go as quickly as they came.
Lastly…to anyone who thinks you need a team full of 30m+ superstars nowdays to win anything I say only this: Djimi Traore – Champions League Winner.
So AW hasn't flashed the cash and everyone is moaning and groaning and predicting the end of the club as we know it. So who would we have actually gone and bought? There was, er, um, er? Oh yes – Xavi Alonso, so good that he is an occasional starter at Liverpool and realistically nowhere near the top of any gooner list – until the rumours started. Michel Arteta? Some Swiss bloke? Does anyone think that the Robinho move to 'Citeh' is anything other than mercanary balls?. Fact is, none of us can name anyone available to sign who would definitely have made us a better squad. If the boss thinks that we have enough talent, then we have enough talent. He hasn't exactly made many mistakes over the years has he? We've got 2 world class full backs, 4 centre halves who are all internationals, the worlds best midfielder, and 5 (when Ed returns) top strikers. Plus a whole load of technically gifted youngsters itching to get a look in. Remember Man U late 1990's “kids”? We've acquired Nasri, Ramsey and Silvestre, don't forget. Hleb was rubbish and Gilberto the worst passer at the club. The only real loss was Flamini, but keep your eye on Denilson….. And remember Reyes? £18m of toss – a typical foreign player who just wasn't robust enough for the premier league or Arsenals high standards – which is exactly why splashing the cash to keep people happy is complete folly. I pay enough for my season ticket without seeing my money wasted on unconvincing signings just to please the fans and the press. Arsene knows what he's doing – the man isn't stupid and neither are the board. So don't get hooked up in this tabloid mentality that because we haven't spent £30m on a couple of 'names' then we are doomed. C'mon you reds!!! Lets show 'em.
After the dust had settled I started thinking about the deals that have gone through…. Berbatov doing a Teddy Mingerash on our sad deluded marsh dwelling neighbours… and Robinho doing a mercenary on the Chavski Globetrotters and joining Chav Citeeeeeh instead for loads more filthy lucre (now isn¿t that ironic plastic Chavski fans?). And was I really that upset? And are we really in such a terrible position as a lot of our moaning supporters think? Just ask yourself if you¿re in this for the long haul of supporting a real live breathing club or following a fad like the Chavs or ManUre and all the bandwagon hopping scousers (aged 30-50) who latched onto the Liverpool Stealers?? Because I wouldn¿t swap places with the finances of any other club in the Premier League (just remember our monies for the stadium are owed for legitimate reasons under a business plan) And I certainly wouldn¿t want an egotistical sugar daddy surrounded with sycophants running my club as his toy and I¿m absolutely 100% certain I wouldn¿t want any other manager than Arsene Wenger in charge. I¿m definitely not going to be envious when the next club sells its soul and goes on an unethical spending spree but I do reserve the right to p*ss myself laughing when Michael Platini gets his way and all the clubs built on shifting sands collapse. Ok we didn¿t buy the player we all think we need… but the most important person at the club disagreed with us all… And I for one am happy to have jam tomorrow.
i have a feeling that this is nonsense. this could be the press trying to come up with an answer with why we didn't buy before the window closed. if we had really wanted appiah he would have arrived last summer when he was 50% sure he was going to sign. hope he does come however, is the type of player we need.
Falling further behind, where were you last season?
We fell short by just 4 points and if it were not for the physical and mental damage from that horrendous day away to Birmingham we'd have been champions!
The season is won or lost on the football pitch, not in the transfer market. It's not even as if we were bidding for a player who knocked us back for some other club. We would never have signed Barry and only bid for Alonso because he would have been released by Liverpool once they signed Barry (- both of which were ridiculously overpriced IMHO). The fact is that there has been little in the way of real transfer opportunity this window so Wenger is sticking with what he knows best. After all, who wouldn't want a team with Eduardo & Adebayor playing in front of v.Persie, Fabregas, Nasri & Rosicky? The latter 3 cover so much ground and track back as well as anyone that I don't think we need this fabled defensive midfielder. Behind those, we have more than adequate cover provided by Vela, Walcott, Bendtner, Eboue, Denilson, Song, Diaby, Ramsey & Wilshire. We have the two best
full-backs in the league, Gallas and Toure will have learned lessons from last season, Silvestre – while not a signing I would have called for – will bring some much needed experience to the squad and Djourou will chomping at the bit for a place in the starting line-up.
I think you are the one with a lack of vision!
Arsene knows……
Sounds like paper talk to me. They just can't let it go
It's so fuckin' rubish of you to watermark and 'copyright' the pictures you use, when it's so effin obvious that it's not YOU who's shot those pics..
Grow up.
Agreed. Like I said im waiting till its on arsenal.com then i'll beleive it.
Case well put Tray and I completely agree.
Some of these so-called fans of our great club need to get off of their playstation and go out and get a taste of the real world every so often.
I think we are one of the few remaining “real” clubs in the PL and proud that we continue to resist the “buy the title” mentality of the mega-rich. We are a club of tradition and principle.
Keep it real.
No fan has ever said that they want a team of £30m+ players. All we want is for AW to buy some quality players who can go into the first team straight away. Sure, it would nice to get excited about a superstar arriving but most of us would be delighted if Wenger just added some experience over the summer.
No fan has ever said that they want a team of £30m+ players. All we want is for AW to buy some quality players who can go into the first team straight away. Sure, it would nice to get excited about a superstar arriving but most of us would be delighted if Wenger just added some experience over the summer.
No fan has ever said that they want a team of £30m+ players. All we want is for AW to buy some quality players who can go into the first team straight away. Sure, it would nice to get excited about a superstar arriving but most of us would be delighted if Wenger just added some experience over the summer.
I don't think Robinho wouldn't have moved to City (not even for the money) if he hadn't gotten himself into such deep shit by talking about how he never wanted to play for Madrid again etc. I think he just got stuck with City because Chelsea didn't offer enough money and he certainly couldn't stay at Madrid anymore.
I think there is a problem here, I get a feeling that some gooners are more concerned about competing in cash terms ,but the competition is about trophies not who has spent the most. I believe this idea of us falling back is only valid if the talk is about competing on being reaped off, but on the pitch so far signs show that we are right there in thick. Won two lost one, Chevski won two drew one, Manure won one drew one hei what are u talking about.
Wenger never lied a bout about a major signing, he said he will bring in an experienced midfielder before the window closes if he gets the right man at the right price. I am certain he didnt get the right man at the right price , thats why there was no signing period.
So in “Arsene we trust” . We shall compete for trophies, some point at the slow start as unconviencing but so have all other teams non of them has hit top form yet and many others can only improve marginaly, but we can improve by leaps in every subsquent match guys. Take heart, chiken hearts.
Xabi Alonso is never worth £16m+, especially if he's cup tied. Instead of that
I'd rather just stick with Song, Diaby and Denilson.
That's an excellent point. Let's wait 'till our next game and the other top4/City's next game before we start judging. There's not only one way to do things in football as Arsene is proving.
That's an excellent point. Let's wait 'till our next game and the other top4/City's next game before we start judging. There's not only one way to do things in football as Arsene is proving.
If Bischoff on a free is worth a gamble, then surely Appiah with International and Chemapions League experience is too?
I checked Wiki and its states he is an Arsenal player.
Ojariko,
Dont be fooled. Any self-respecting arsenal fan is so because of the way arsenal conduct themselves. Nobody cares how much we spend. We're concerned about having another 3 years without a trophy. We already lost our 2 best players of last season (imo) in flamini and hleb. They've both gone in search of silverwear. How long before cesc and others follow suit. Thats the main concern here.
we all know how Wenger see's things in players that most others don't, he has signed players, then played them in totally different positions many times, has anyone else thought he might have plans to play Silvestre in the holding midfield roll when he's back fit?
I agree that he has a nack for spoting hidden talent but what i dont like is his converting exploits. IMO when a player is bought then they should play where they are farmiliar with.
Why is it that AW refuses to play Song in midfield, clearly his best position. Why too does he play Eboue as a winger? In his breakthrough season (at rightback) eboue was getting praiser for his performancer. Why can't wenger see that at best he is now a backup for Sagna.
not as if we are going to sign anyone soon, so we might as well put all the transfer talk to bed and talk about the real thing…football