Bale

[Ron_Mexico]

obviously alves can attack, but can he defend for ****?

yeah he can

he takes as much pride in his defending as his attacking, takes it personally if anyone beats him, has a great attitude for a defender, times his tackles well, good positionally, not afraid to get stuck in...

[Jayesh87]

yeah he can

he takes as much pride in his defending as his attacking, takes it personally if anyone beats him, has a great attitude for a defender, times his tackles well, good positionally, not afraid to get stuck in...

he normally kicks em if they go past him

[einar]

I wouldn’t describe Bale as 'an out and out left full-back' his attacking attributes are very good as well. And if you add-in his dead ball ability, he offers something that not many full back’s can offer. He’s already scored 5 league goals this season.

Lets not forget that we are talking about a 17 year old.
He is just a kid and has years of improving to do.

[Joey Jones]

Lets not forget that we are talking about a 17 year old.
He is just a kid and has years of improving to do.

Yep, with time and if he fulfills his potential he'll develop into a very very good player. I just hope that he'll sign for us.

[slimbimjim]

And how many of Wengers signings had been heard of before they were household names?

Anelka, Fabregas, Henry etc... They weren't exactly the cream of Europe when they were bought, especially Fabregas.

[kopdan]

We SHOULD be in for Bale.

UNLESS Rafa doesnt rate him or sees more in this Argentinian left back.

We should just trust Rafa's judgement call on this

UNLESS having no money is an impact which I am sure Rafa will be quick to point out in his quest for the money problem resolution

[Resu]

Fabregas was very highly thought of before he joined the Arse, Barca (wasn`t it?) wasn`t very pleased with that move.
Henry were also well-known after his time in Monaco.

[disco]

I've only seen Bale play once or twice - what's he got that we don't have other than a good free-kick? (like Alonso, Gerrard, Aurelio, Riise, Pennant...)

[enema of the state]

And how many of Wengers signings had been heard of before they were household names?

Anelka, Fabregas, Henry etc... They weren't exactly the cream of Europe when they were bought, especially Fabregas.

henry was in the french world cup winning team and already played for juve - and cost a fair wedge. he was already close to the cream although no disputing he got better under wenger.

fabregas was also highly regarded at barca - the top player for his age attached to that club. no prizes for discovering him although applause for PERSUADING him to come

Anelka I'll give you but the vast majority of wengers key signings have cost big money (at least in wages):
bergkamp/overmars/petit/henry/pires/reyes/ljunberg//kleb/lehman etc..

only now, after 3 "bought" title-winning sides are we seeing a side dominated by his kids. take note, they lie 4th in the epl which is where they finished last season.

[PLY]

the vast majority of wengers key signings have cost big money (at least in wages):
bergkamp/overmars/petit/henry/pires/reyes/ljunberg//kleb/lehman etc..
.

Bruce Rioch bought Bergkamp

[thesilverfoxlfc]

Wenger has dropped his interest in Bale. Just on SSN news now.

[Big-Red-Ed]

IMHO £10m for any left-back is ****ing ludicicrous. You can name on one hand the number of left backs who have made a serious difference to the ability of a team

In the modern game the full backs are the only players with the time and space to get forward and affect play. Look at our very own Finnan for proof of that.

[thesilverfoxlfc]

In the modern game the full backs are the only players with the time and space to get forward and affect play. Look at our very own Finnan for proof of that.

.......and did he cost 10 million?

[dirty_sanchez]

No, but that's not what you said. You said that full backs didn't make a difference to a team, when they obviously do.

[Shaggy]

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger says he is not interested in signing Southampton youngster Gareth Bale.

The 17-year-old is attracting the interest of a host of clubs, with Manchester United and Tottenham believed to have had bids rejected.

But Wenger insists he is not about to join the race to sign the £10m-rated Wales international defender.

Wenger told Arsenal TV Online: "I like the player but we already have two left-backs here."

Bale has recently turned down Southampton's offer of a one-year extension to his contract.

Spurs are believed to have failed with a £6m bid for Bale and Manchester United's £8m offer was also rejected.

Saints boss George Burley Burley is desperate to keep Bale - at least until the end of the season - but is resigned to losing the player at some stage.