Food For Thought: Are Arsenal Making A Mistake In Selling Their Players?

Would Arsenal's Player Exodus Haunt Them Later On?

Arsenal supporters might still trust Arsene Wenger with their lives but a sense of frustration is certainly creeping in. The last few days have seen the departure of two of the club's first team players and another player is on his way out of the Emirates.

While Emmanuel Adebayor's departure was a certain relief as the Togolese striker couldn't really give the Gunners much except that one Roque Santa Cruz-esque great season in 2007-2008 and that outlandish goal against Villarreal in the Champions League last season, Kolo Toure's departure is perhaps a bit more difficult to be relieved about.

The Ivorian has been off his game for quite some time now but still remains a decent central defender who can be a utility squad player. Also, he has vital Premier League experience that new Arsenal recruit Thomas Vermaelen doesn't.

But what is perhaps more crucial about these departures is that both the players have been sold to Manchester 'No History Only Cash' City. We have had the Evertons, the Aston Villas and even the Tottenhams trying to break into the top four in the Premier League but Man City's overt ambition and rather too obvious financial strength have made them in several football experts’ eye the most likely contender to displace Arsenal in the Big Four in the English top flight.

Summer Exodus | Who's Next In Line?

Of course, Arsenal do have received a total of around £40 million for Adebayor and Toure and the former might well turn out to be an average-at-best player at the City of Manchester Stadium, but they have perhaps unwillingly and unwittingly strengthened a Premier League rival who are making all sorts of noises of becoming a global brand and the biggest club in the world (although signing Adebayors and Gareth Barrys won't make them the best even in Manchester).

Also, Emmanuel Eboue appears to be one foot out of the Emirates. Perhaps the 26-year-old is not the same player he was two or three seasons back but by selling Eboue Arsenal would be selling a truly brilliant back-up right-back – a great utility man. Of course, it is as much Arsenal's decision as Eboue’s to part company as the Ivorian wants more playing time but losing someone like Eboue could come back to haunt Arsenal in the more advanced stages of the season.

Did Real Madrid Really Need Alvaro Arbeloa?

Real Madrid's detractors are doing a pretty good job in enforcing club president Florentino Perez to sign defenders. He secured the services of Valencia star and Spanish international central defender Raul Albiol earlier this summer and has now signed Alvaro Arbeloa, another Euro 2008 winner with Spain.

The former Deportivo la Coruna defender arrives from Premier League club Liverpool on the cheap and adds to an already large defensive unit of Sergio Ramos, Raul Albiol, Pepe, Ezequiel Garay, Marcelo, Gabriel Heinze, Michel Salgado, Christoph Metzelder and Miguel Torres.

Back To The Bernabeu | Happier Times Ahead?

Arbeloa, of course, is best known for his versatility to play anywhere across the back four and this would be a boon to Madrid. The 26-year-old might not be one of the best in the world in his position(s) and might actually struggle to play first team football on a regular basis but his balanced approach to the game would give Manuel Pellegrini's side a much needed and much wanted defensive strength and depth.

Maybe Madrid didn't need Arbeloa at left-back as Marcelo is developing into something of a Roberto Carlos (although the Brazilian has looked impressive as a left winger too) but then again, Madrid are looking for proven and experienced players to emulate FC Barcelona and win the treble next season. In this perspective Arbeloa's signing is indeed a good one. And the fact that he cost only €4 million and actually wanted to come to the Bernabeu makes the signing look quite impressive.

On Another Note.....

No More Training | Juan Sorin Retires

Just so you didn't get this news, former Argentine international left-back Juan Pablo Sorin has announced his retirement from football. The 33-year-old was one of the better wingbacks in his prime and was one of the main reasons for Villarreal's surge towards the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2005-2006. Injuries and average form contrived to put an end to Sorin's playing career and the former Juventus and River Plate leftback declared in a press conference on Tuesday that he can no longer carry on playing football.

Subhankar Mondal