SHOCKING MOVE!

Arsenal has signed Man United's Mikael Silvestre!!! No player has moved directly between Man United and Arsenal since Sir Alex Ferguson made Viv Anderson his first signing in 1987.

Intense rivalry between the 2 clubs have made it such that players developed hatred or dislike for the rival club. This is precisely the reason why Silvestre's move from Man United to Arsenal is all the more shocking. It is not as if Silvestre has any lack of suitors but has no other choice but to move to London (must clarify this sentence - Arsenal is a big club who choses players, not the other way round). Big teams like Roma has come in for him and been rejected by Silvestre himself. Other interested clubs includes another established club in Manchester - Man City, Sunderland managed by former teammate Roy Keane and French club Bordeaux.

Perhaps its the French connection in Arsenal that made him sign for Arsenal. Manager Arsene Wenger, centre back captain William Gallas, right-back Bacary Sagna, left back Gael Clichy, midfielder Abou Diaby, Amaury Bischoff and Samir Nasri are all French players. Add in Silvestre and we have 8 French in Arsenal not including those in the youth teams. I wonder do they fine dine and drink wine every meal. :P

Anyway, rather disappointed that Arsene Wenger's promise of signing an experienced player is in fact Silvestre from Man United. Put everything aside, just the fact that he has been at Man United for the best of his 9 years, makes me loathe the transfer. No Arsenal fans like Man United players or anything that is related to Man United. However, I believe in Arsene Wenger and I am willing to open my mind, that is till Silvestre makes any costly mistakes. Not only will he let Arsene Wenger down, he will also give excuses for fans to haul insults at him and question Arsene Wenger's eye for a quality transfer. Arsene Wenger took a gamble and placed faith in him, he better repay that faith.

I hate to say this, but Silvestre is probabaly a good back up to the defensive 4 as he can play across the defense. In my knowledge, probably no other team has such experienced defender on the bench to act as a back up. I just hope Wenger does not make him a regular started in defense and ruin the progress of Clichy as left back or Djourou as centre back as Toure is now injured. True that he brings with him versatility, experience, understanding of the English game and knowledge of what needs to be done to win. However, the progress of the younger players, Arsenal's next generation of Invincibles should not be hampered.

Let's pray that Arsene Wenger made the correct decision and the contingent of French players at Arsenal will be able to communicate and understand each other better because of their nationality. Second game of the season coming up on Saturday, watch out for some tips on this page..