[Tennie]

SENDEROS: COMUNICATO UFFICIALE A.C.MILAN
27/08/2008
L'A.C.Milan comunica di aver raggiunto un accordo con l'Arsenal F.C. per l'acquisizione a titolo temporaneo delle prestazioni sportive del giocatore Philippe Senderos.

[AC Milan announces having reached agreement with Arsenal FC for the loan of the player Philippe Senderos.]

[acid911]

Wopdidu! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Best of luck to our new signings, and here's hoping he proves us all wrong. As long as he's strong in the air, he will help us with stopping attacks.

[kurtsimonw]

It seems Darth Vader and I agree on this signing..

[han2503]

An interesting view from an Arsenal blog

http://gunnerblog.com/?p=1069

Philippe Senderos will today sign for AC Milan on a season-long loan deal with a view to a permanent move. Whilst I’ll be interested to see if Arsenal.com mention the possibility of a permanent move, it’s clear this isn’t a Havard Nordveit-style loan move for development’s sake - Philippe is being allowed to move on because Arsene considers him dispensible.

That in itself is somewhat of a watershed. Senderos is rare in that he’s one of the first of Wenger’s ‘projects’ to be abandoned. After years of investing time and money in the Swiss defender’s potential, he has now decided to let him go, seemingly preferring to rely on new signing Mikael Silvestre. For the first time in years, Arsene has chosen a veteran over a youngster. And that might not be such a bad thing. Firstly because it might suggest he recognises that his youth experiment has its limits, but secondly because Senderos could never have become the player we needed him to be at a club as lacking in experienced defensive experts as Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger is many things, but he is not a defensive coach. His interest is primarily in attacking or creative players. The great centre-backs he’s had (Adams, Keown, Campbell) have all been either bought or inherited. Kolo Toure is an astonishing athlete and outstanding footballer, but not a born defender. Senderos is. Like John Terry or Nemanja Vidic, it’s inconcievable that Senderos could play in any other position on the field. Wenger does not understand these creatures. They are foreign to him and to his way of thinking. And one has the impression that most of the coaching staff feel the same.

Defending is seen as a secondary art at Arsenal. Arsene was lucky to inherit the world’s best back four, and then to have a defensive phenomenon like Sol Campbell to carry him through the early part of the decade. But since Sol’s departure, the deficiencies in our coaching have become clear - we don’t have a cohesive defensive unit, and are clueless when it comes to set pieces.

For a time, it seemed like Senderos would be the solution to that problem. When Campbell was out injured in both 2005 and 2006, he came in and was outstanding, particularly in our record-breaking run to the Champions League final. Toure and Senderos was a defensive partnership that had a towering stopper and a quick recovering defender - it is the formula that made Adams/Keown and Campbell/Toure such successful pairings. What’s more, the proof was there - it worked, keeping out the likes of Juventus and Real Madrid.

But then Arsene bought William Gallas. And more than the arrival of Silvestre, more than the Champions League exit at Anfield, more than his travails against Didier Drogba, that is what did for Senderos’ Arsenal career. It tells you something about the esteem in which he was held at that point that many assumed Gallas had been bought to play at left-back and replace Ashley Cole.

Gallas is a good defender, and one can understand why Arsene wanted to bring in what he considered proven quality, but he’s hardly been an unequivocal success, has he? One can’t help but wonder what might have happened if Arsene had stuck with Senderos and Toure - not only might we have had a central defensive pairing that functioned, but we might have had a leader and organiser to boot. As it was, Senderos’ confidence was shattered by Wenger’s continually wavering faith, and he became the nervous wreck fans grew to doubt.

But I can’t help but feel that Senderos did not fail us. We failed him, by failing to have a structure in place that was able to his exploit his undoubted potential - just think back to his remarkable European debut at home to Bayern Munich. He is right to move. I now firmly believe he’ll go on to have a good career, starting with an immediate improvement in the slower-paced, defensively astute Italian league. We at Arsenal won’t benefit from that - if he does well, he’ll be staying there permanently, and if he doesn’t then we’ll get back a faltering player who knows the manager no longer values him. Senderos’ Arsenal career is over, whatever the nature of today’s transfer.

This post has been edited by han2503: Aug 27 2008, 09:38 PM

[Giancarlo]

That's very balanced... similar to what I heard from another Gooner fan. One that was actually upset they were letting go Senderos. The problem is Arsene simply isn't signing any other players...

[acid911]

Very nice read, han. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Agree with almost everything it says. Besides, standing behind our new signing is the least us fans can do, unless he messes it up big time. When Galliani is negotiating, it's another thing. But now he's as red&black as any of us.

For me, that's all that counts. Unless your first name is Christian. And last name is Brocchi. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif) Then it's a different matter entirely, but let's not go there, shall we?

[han2503]

That's very balanced... similar to what I heard from another Gooner fan. One that was actually upset they were letting go Senderos. The problem is Arsene simply isn't signing any other players...

Some of them in fact are very angry at the fact that Wenger let him go especially since the other option is Silvetre (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

I've been lurking on an Arsenal forum (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) and this is the general thought from the majority of the posters.

1. Most think he will hit it beig in Serie A because of the slower pace, they point out how he always did far better in the CL rather then in the league
2. They all point out that he was the only one who was really good in the air
3. His biggest flaw and why they think he's never made it is because of concentration lapses, and if he can get this under control he'll be top class
4. A lot pointet out that if he is being played as a second fiddle bench player who gets a couple of games here and there he will suffer and play badly, but if he's given a good run of games he will perform consistantly over that period
5. Some pointed out the fact that he forms a better partnership with Toure reather then Gallas and that it is no surprise that a run of clean sheets appeared when he and Gallas had a good run playing next to eachother in the center
6. A lot think that he'll perform far better in the defensively desceplined and tactical Serie A rather then in the gun-ho style of the EPL

All in all I think these are good indecators, but again, I will reserve my judgments for until after I've seen him play

[Giancarlo]

Some of them in fact are very angry at the fact that Wenger let him go especially since the other option is Silvetre (IMG:style_emoticons/default/puke.gif)

I've been lurking on an Arsenal forum (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif) and this is the general thought from the majority of the posters.

1. Most think he will hit it beig in Serie A because of the slower pace, they point out how he always did far better in the CL rather then in the league
2. They all point out that he was the only one who was really good in the air
3. His biggest flaw and why they think he's never made it is because of concentration lapses, and if he can get this under control he'll be top class
4. A lot pointet out that if he is being played as a second fiddle bench player who gets a couple of games here and there he will suffer and play badly, but if he's given a good run of games he will perform consistantly over that period
5. Some pointed out the fact that he forms a better partnership with Toure reather then Gallas and that it is no surprise that a run of clean sheets appeared when he and Gallas had a good run playing next to eachother in the center
6. A lot think that he'll perform far better in the defensively desceplined and tactical Serie A rather then in the gun-ho style of the EPL

All in all I think these are good indecators, but again, I will reserve my judgments for until after I've seen him play

That's exactly the problem... the bold part. With Milan he would get more playing time. No wonder why he was having lapses in concentration... not enough playing time meaning he was not up to his best.

And besides that look who we have in defense... he will play with. I can't really name any big leaders in Arsenal's back line... Gallas lol? I'm not sure about that one lol. We have legends playing in the defense that could help shape this guy..

For some reason I see someone like Jaap Stam here... a lot of people doubted Stam...

[kurtsimonw]

Senderos played 25 games last season..

[han2503]

Senderos played 25 games last season..

Don't know how much he played kurt, I'm personally not an avid watcher of Arsenal, I got this from what was being said on the Arsenal forum...

Was he a starter in all of those 25 appearences?

This post has been edited by han2503: Aug 27 2008, 10:41 PM

[dst]

Don't know how much he played kurt, I'm personally not an avid watcher of Arsenal, I got this from what was being said on the Arsenal forum...

Was he a starter in all of those 25 appearences?

He usually starts the games...

[Giancarlo]

Well lets hope for the best then... either way...

[han2503]

He usually starts the games...

hmm, don't know then, as I said, I got this from the Arsenal board... And to be fair in England 25 games is not even half the games, considering cup cometitions

[dst]

hmm, don't know then, as I said, I got this from the Arsenal board... And to be fair in England 25 games is not even half the games, considering cup cometitions

Well Kolo and Gallas, if I'm right, did not have any serious injuries last season and they played the vast majority of the games... Senderos is not a first XI player, he's a back-up...

I can give you a simple description for him... he's like Kaladze... only slower! Damn, that sounds sad...

[han2503]

Well Kolo and Gallas, if I'm right, did not have any serious injuries last season and they played the vast majority of the games... Senderos is not a first XI player, he's a back-up...

I can give you a simple description for him... he's like Kaladze... only slower! Damn, that sounds sad...

Well I do know he's error prone, I witnessed a couple of them myself. But he is younger then Kaladze so he has time to improve. Or maybe this is just me grasping anything I could because I know we're in dire need for another defender. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

Don't know how much he played kurt, I'm personally not an avid watcher of Arsenal, I got this from what was being said on the Arsenal forum...

Was he a starter in all of those 25 appearences?

Subbing defenders in the EPL is rare, especially CBs. So any game you have appeared in, it's likely that you started it.

hmm, don't know then, as I said, I got this from the Arsenal board... And to be fair in England 25 games is not even half the games, considering cup cometitions

Those 25 games are domestic competitions, I didn't count his European games.

Anyways, I found some stats for their CBs last season. Starts in al competitions:
Gallas: 41
Toure: 40
Senderos: 32

So he played alot of games, but I posted some stats on a previous page which shows he can't cope against any decent side (CL/UEFA Cup type teams) and I would only risk playing him vs relegation type teams and in the Coppa Italia.

[misha]

“I am delighted to join Milan, it’s a team that a player can never say no to,” Senderos told Il Corriere Dello Sport.

“I am fine physically and now we will have to see how training goes and then we will analyse and see what happens next.

“The Scudetto? When you come to a club like Milan you have to aim for everything.”

Hope he can surprise us.

[acid911]

“The Scudetto? When you come to a club like Milan you have to aim for everything.”

I like his attitude. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Carlo can learn something from him too!

[TriniKing_CE]

I like his attitude. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif) Carlo can learn something from him too!

hahahahaha

[Zed.D]

I think he'll do alright. his biggest problem is that he loses his confidence and makes all sorts of mistakes when he plays against some certain players. Drogba is one of them! anyone who's watched a few Arsenal-Chelsea games will confirm this. but sometimes he can real good and I'm not exaggerating; he didn't make one single mistake at San Siro...

(IMG:http://i36.tinypic.com/aka83p.jpg)

[Jack Sparrow]

So now, is he your second favourite after Pato? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[Giancarlo]

I think he'll do alright. his biggest problem is that he loses his confidence and makes all sorts of mistakes when he plays against some certain players. Drogba is one of them! anyone who's watched a few Arsenal-Chelsea games will confirm this. but sometimes he can real good and I'm not exaggerating; he didn't make one single mistake at San Siro...

I think he'll do better at Milan... besides that... look who he will playing with... the Milan backline has some true leaders... and I think Maldini will probably teach him a lot... He's also a tough kind of figure... I always wanted someone like Jaap Stam in the back again...

[Mook]

I think he'll do alright. his biggest problem is that he loses his confidence and makes all sorts of mistakes when he plays against some certain players. Drogba is one of them! anyone who's watched a few Arsenal-Chelsea games will confirm this. but sometimes he can real good and I'm not exaggerating; he didn't make one single mistake at San Siro...

Your right zd, he definitely made more than one mistake. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

Well if Senderos does actually have potential, the guidance of Maldini and Nesta may just turn him into a quality CB.

[Zed.D]

@ Cap

No, but he could very well be my choice of revelation of the season. we'll see...

I think he'll do better at Milan... besides that... look who he will playing with... the Milan backline has some true leaders... and I think Maldini will probably teach him a lot... He's also a tough kind of figure... I always wanted someone like Jaap Stam in the back again...

Yeah, he kinda reminds me of Chiellini (minus the intelligence!)

[misha]

MILANELLO - With already a good knowledge of the Italian language, Philippe Senderos today gave his first few declarations as a new Milan player before the afternoon training:

"I am very happy to be able to play for a team like Milan, for me it's like a dream come true, everything went very quickly, in a week. Here everything is incredible, the people are very simple and I can say they have made me feel right at home."

Philippe Senderos then talked about all his personal successes but for him the dream isn't over:

"In the past I have achieved some satisfactions, like winning the European Championship with the Under 17 team and then of course at 18 my passage to a great team like Arsenal. in London I learned a lot, it was a life school and Wenger helped me, but today I can certainly say I have reached a superior level after joining this club. I want to give one hundred percent and improve myself every day. This team wants to return to the Champions League and I will do my best to help. When you will see me on the pitch? We'll see how my condition improves, I still have to undergo some tests and then after the first league match there will be two weeks to work, we'll see."

[nuh]

just looking at him makes me sick (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

[Fillipo Simone]

Oh, I wish him all the best and hope he'll sunt us all with his... y'know what..

[amancik]

just looking at him makes me sick (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif)

come on man, give the guy a chance. I mean I don't like him either. But he's a Milan player now.

[Jack Sparrow]

^^

1899% agree

[acid911]

1899% agree

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Yeah, me too. Let's back him up to come out good.

[maldini03]

How can anyone hate him? We dont know how he will play in Serie A. I have always had hope for him , i have never been a fan of the EPL or Arsenal but since he moved there i always thought he would be ELITE and he can achieve that at a club like Milan but if we treat him like poo from the first time he comes things will not get good. We should accept him and treat him as good as anyone else. I am excited for tha Nesta - Senderos pairing where it will be a flashback to the days of Jaap. I for one am excited.

[acid911]

Very appropriate, maldini03. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Why all the negativity when the guy's even not played one single game for us? I don't care what he's done at Arsenal; let's see what he does for us. There's a whole year for negativity, but first let's give him a fair chance.

Plus, he's on loan. And young. Which means we don't necessarily have to keep him. If he doesn't fit the bill, he can move anywhere he wants. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/huh.gif) But I too have hopes on him, and would like to see one, how he develops, and two, what he brings to the table. Plus, he'll have the best defenders in the world to learn with. We could have another Jaap Stam in the making, if he does.

[Habitant]

Well Kolo and Gallas, if I'm right, did not have any serious injuries last season and they played the vast majority of the games... Senderos is not a first XI player, he's a back-up...

I can give you a simple description for him... he's like Kaladze... only slower! Damn, that sounds sad...

he's younger
more motivated/hungrier for success
i'd say both are just as slow
senderos is better in the air
the rest i'd say there about on par.

[misha]

Milan A Better Club Than Arsenal - Senderos

New Milan defender Philippe Senderos talked about his first impressions of his new club.

It was not just the day of Andriy Shevchenko, today at Milanello. Swiss international defender Philippe Senderos joined the Rossoneri on loan from Arsenal a few days ago and today he was officially presented as a new Milan player along with the Ukrainian star, who has also joined on loan from Chelsea.

"I am very happy to have arrived at Milan," he reiterated, "who have given me the possibility to measure myself with Serie A. I quickly understood that here the players take more care of the tactical aspect, whereas in England there's more attention to the athletic side. This means I will have to improve tactically to be able to compete at high levels here."

On the organisation of the Rossoneri's club structure, Senderos said: "From the first moment it was clear to me Milan are really a top-class club, more than Arsenal. I hope to do well and to stay here for a long time."

The 23-year-old, who made 64 appearences for Arsenal in five years with the Gunners, will wear the number 24 shirt this season at Milan

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

This just oozes of " (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) Wenger doesn't think I'm good enough, now I'll have to insult him (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) ". Stop being a whiney little girl and get some balls, I'm disliking you more by the day.

This post has been edited by kurtsimonw: Aug 30 2008, 11:41 PM

[han2503]

This just oozes of " (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) Wenger doesn't think I'm good enough, now I'll have to insult him (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cry.gif) ". Stop being a whiney little girl and get some balls, I'm disliking you more by the day.

Or he took a walk through our trophy room after being in Arsenal's (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

[kurtsimonw]

Or he took a walk through our trophy room after being in Arsenal's (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[TriniKing_CE]

Senderos: I'm getting there

Swiss defender Philippe Senderos was victorious on his long-awaited Milan debut but admits it was hard work as he still isn't fully fit.

Senderos joined the Diavolo from Arsenal on loan in the summer, but he has only just returned to match-fitness.

The 23-year-old looked authoritative in the centre of defence during Milan's 1-0 UEFA Cup win over Braga, but he still isn't 100 per cent.

“It was quite a difficult game for me from a physical point of view but I felt better as the match went on,” Senderos explained.

“It's a very positive thing that we didn't concede but I hadn't played an official game in a long time and I need to regain my condition to get back to my best.

“I felt tired at the end of the game and now I need to recover well. Happily this ends a difficult period after arriving at a club and being unable to prove my ability.

“The big thing was that we picked up the three points. Sunday's game at Lecce will be difficult like any away game, but I'll see how I'm feeling.”

Senderos - I'm getting there - - Channel4 Italia

[il_diavolo_mtl]

Let me just say, after a year of him playing, no one can argue he is the clueless guy that came off the plane last year from london. I would Very Pleased to see him return to Milan Next year for the 8M buyout i believe is within his contract. He is playing in top form recently and his defensive work in the past weeks has been drowned by Pippo's rebirth, But Milan is he second rated Defensive team and watching him more and more he is becoming a presence at CB. I, For one would love to see him back next year paired with Thiaguninho with Bonnera/Nesta in rotation. (i can't expect Nesta to be healthy anymore, and neither should the coaches: Expect the best, prepare for the worst; Sign Senderos!

[il_diavolo_mtl]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKA8_FACH4A
its very minimal, but hell its a vid dedicated to him lol

[dst]

I'd give 8m for Senderos. 8m 'GET THE F OUT OF HERE' that is!

[Zed.D]

I wouldn't mind if he stayed. he's good enough to be the 4th/5th choice CB!

[dst]

I wouldn't mind if he stayed. he's good enough to be the 4th/5th choice CB!

He is but a 4th choice player should not cost that much, we can get much better for that money.

[Fillipo Simone]

He is but a 4th choice player should not cost that much, we can get much better for that money.

+1 ;only positive side is his height...

[Zed.D]

He is but a 4th choice player should not cost that much, we can get much better for that money.

And how much would he cost? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[dst]

8 euros!??

[Tennie]

Well, for that price....

But I meant 8 million.

(Fishdoll -1 cookie for dst being a smart@ss.)

[il_diavolo_mtl]

I feel we need to keep him because of the offensive ability, and his relentless work ethic 8M sounds resonable he is 6'3", 24 yo and alot more reliable then he was at the beginning of the year. I actually see him starting with Thiaguninho to form one of the best young back pairings in the world. In a league where we constantly face good, tall strikers he is a presence on corners, on both ends.

You don't have to agree with me, but you'd be hard pressed to change my mind!

[Bluesummers]

why not, he is def worth 8 million. Nesta is 33 and is I dont think he'll be able to play every game like he used to. Bonera is good and silva is unreal. We just need another good defender and we'll be set.

[Tennie]

Respectfully disagree that Senderos is worth anything approaching 8 million euros. Perhaps half that, but much more than 5 million? I'd pass.

[gal_kenny]

I feel we need to keep him because of the offensive ability, and his relentless work ethic 8M sounds resonable he is 6'3", 24 yo and alot more reliable then he was at the beginning of the year.I actually see him starting with Thiaguninho to form one of the best young back pairings in the world. In a league where we constantly face good, tall strikers he is a presence on corners, on both ends.

You don't have to agree with me, but you'd be hard pressed to change my mind!

lol...I think you're going too far

[MizNelson]

I actually see him starting with Thiaguninho to form one of the best young back pairings in the world.

Um, no.

[dst]

Well, for that price....

But I meant 8 million.

(Fishdoll -1 cookie for dst being a smart@ss.)

What did I do?!?

[Zed.D]

What did I do?!?

You were being a smart@ss!