Arsenal sign Silvestre

Arsenal has today signed French defender Mikael Silvestre on a two year deal having joined the Gunners from Manchester United for an undisclosed fee.

Silvestre (31), an experienced and versatile player, has been with Manchester United since 1999 winning a host of domestic honours including four Premier League titles, one FA Cup winner’s medal and a League Cup winner’s medal. Silvestre was also part of the UEFA Champions League winning side of 2008 and made a total of 361 appearances for the Manchester side, scoring 10 goals.

Silvestre, who debuted for French national side in 2001, has also made a total of 40 appearances for Les Bleus. Highlights of his international career so far are winning the Confederations Cup in both 2001 and 2003 and reaching the World Cup Final in 2006.

Mikael said on signing for the Gunners: “I’ve spent a large part of my career at United, the last nine years, and I’ll remember that time fondly but feel I’m ready for a new challenge. Arsenal is known for playing technical and skilful football, and has a young but experienced squad. I’m really excited about this next stage of my career, hopefully playing my part in helping the Club to new successes.”

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger said: “We have a strong squad but a young squad and Mikael’s versatility, experience and calibre will provide the extra depth we need to reinforce our challenge for honours this season. His defensive adaptability will serve us well and it’s a big plus that Mikael has top level experience and a great understanding of football in the Premier League.”

Mikael will join up with his team-mates immediately and will wear shirt number 18.

Hurraaaah!!!!!

I can see the logic behind the signing, it adds some experience and depth to the squad, and provides cover for the central defence and for Clichy as well. On the other hand I feel slightly disgusted with Wenger for signing him. It's going to take some getting used to seeing him in an Arsenal kit. It will be interesting to hear how the fans greet him for the first time. I guess Wenger will try to sign anyone as long as they have spent most of the last two years injured!

One dead wood removed - and now for Wenger to come in for Saha!

Green Arrow wrote:Hurraaaah!!!!!

What the heck

Amazed we could afford him... Guess this means no signings for the next 3 years

With this picture, close look at camera and scenario around him, he looks like he was recording a speech before next terrorist attack - http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/arsenal-announce-signing-of-mikael-silvestre

If we got him for nothing (or next to) that's Ok I suppose. I don't believe
we are going to sell Senderos or Djourou.

That's ridiculous

The Professor wrote:

It's always gutting when a hero lets you down.



The lesson: pick better heroes

Wasn't Silvestre once red carded for headbutting an Arsenal player?


Back in the era when Arsenal were a competitive team I mean...

What bemuses me is how Fergie never wanted to sell to a rival....

The Truth wrote:Wasn't Silvestre once red carded for headbutting an Arsenal player?


Back in the era when Arsenal were a competitive team I mean...

Yep, Ljungberg, when they beat us 4-2 at Highbury, so 2005 I guess.

Ray Parlour wrote:What bemuses me is how Fergie never wanted to sell to a rival....

He's clearly woken up to the fact that Arsenal are no longer a threat...

The Truth wrote:

Ray Parlour wrote:What bemuses me is how Fergie never wanted to sell to a rival....

He's clearly woken up to the fact that Arsenal are no longer a threat...

Predictable comment

Ray Parlour wrote:What bemuses me is how Fergie never wanted to sell to a rival....

Selling an old shite injury prone player to Arsenal doesn't sound such a bad idea

I don't understand. Is he going to be that happy going from one bench to another?

Ray Parlour wrote:

The Truth wrote:

Ray Parlour wrote:What bemuses me is how Fergie never wanted to sell to a rival....

He's clearly woken up to the fact that Arsenal are no longer a threat...

Predictable comment

Yours, or mine?


I'd say both. But you started it.

T'Black(ish) Cygan.

Ray Parlour wrote:I don't understand. Is he going to be that happy going from one bench to another?

Probably got a 3 year deal, while he only had 1 year left here? who knows. Maybe he's gonna take Clichy's pace

Has anyone on here read today's Arseblog? If u haven't please dohttp://www.oleole.com/blogs/arseblog

I couldn't stop laughing especially at this bit:

I'm really not sure how to feel about this. On one hand Silvestre is an experienced defender, he's won titles, played many times for France and would provide better cover at left back than Armand Traore who could then go out on loan and get experience. On the other hand he's a poxy fucking c**t who can't seem to close his mouth. Why would we want to sign a player who can't close his mouth? Many of his injury problems at United have come from swallowing insects as he runs along with his big open gob. I mean, look at him. He was once out for three months when a bee went right down his throat like Luke Skywalker's bomb in the first Star Wars and stung him on the Adam's Apple.

Ray Parlour wrote:I don't understand. Is he going to be that happy going from one bench to another?

Think he noticed what happened to Diarra (we're just a steppin' stone). We'll sell him to Pompey next season witha 2M profit, Wenger will have done some 'great business' & Sylvestre will be playing again

L.r.d wrote:

Ray Parlour wrote:I don't understand. Is he going to be that happy going from one bench to another?

Probably got a 3 year deal, while he only had 1 year left here? who knows. Maybe he's gonna take Clichy's pace

No chance

It's a two year deal.

Meh - I'm just waiting to see him in his first few games because he has been very average IMO since 2005/2006.

Well barring Toure and Gallas are fit and playing well he is only going to get the odd game here and there.

did Fergie authorise the sale or is it one of these new Bosman-like deals for overage players coming to the end of a long contract?

Anyone know?

hello?