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Why Arsenal Will Regret Losing Juan Mata To Chelsea
It sees as if the highly-coveted winger will join Chelsea rather than Arsenal. Here's why it will be another nail in Arsenal's coffin...
With only Xavi, Messi and Alves ahead of him on assists in la Liga, 23 year old Valencia winger Juan Mata is a player well worth Arsenal and Tottenham digging deep for.
Those watching the final of the European U-21 Championships in Denmark would have caught a glimpse of Juan Mata celebrating with his teammates as Spain overcame Switzerland 2-0. It was a competition where the 23-year-old Valencia forward showed how he was several classes above his team-mates. And so he should be considering Mata is also a World Cup winner with Spain and, according to Opta, the footballer who is only beaten by Xavi, Messi and Alves for the most number of assists in la Liga since the 2008/2009 season.
Mata originally began his career at Real Oviedo before moving to Real Madrid’s youth ranks. But rather than waiting decades for his turn to make his debut for the first team, a confident Mata left the Spanish capital for Valencia in 2007 where he has been a regular in Mestalla ever since, missing just nine league games in the past three seasons.
Despite his youth, Mata took on the responsibility of being Valencia’s captain last season – not an easy task at a notoriously unstable club – and chipped in to his club’s third-placed finish with eight goals and 12 assists.
The fact that he has a number of suitors around Europe means that any club interested in Mata are going to have to dig very deep indeed.
Mata is best playing on the left of a front three, but is a footballer that tends to cut inside rather than take the ball out wide despite being left-footed. However, the versatile forward player is often deployed as a second striker for his club – or even in emergencies as the main front man. A fine finish and a key eye for goal when given the chance sees Mata with 33 league goals in his four seasons in Mestalla.
Physically, Mata is not the biggest at just 1.70m so the stereotypical comment to make is that he may struggle with the physical demands of the Premier League. But Mata is a feisty bugger and has no problems on a cold night in Bilbao or at Osasuna, so should be just fine.
Valencia’s economic woes which forced the departures of Villa and Silva last summer have eased a little, so the sale of Mata is no longer necessary for the club. But that doesn’t mean that the forward won’t be flogged for the right money. The fact that he has a number of suitors around Europe means that if Arsenal are really interested in Mata they are going to have to dig very deep indeed.
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COMMENTS
he is going to join liverpool, arsenal need rid of wenger first
Probably would be everything that Arshavin wasn't last season. Hope Liverpool get him though i don't believe there's a hope in hell of him going to a non Champion's League club.
actually the guy with the most assists is ozil and not xavi or messi. atleast do your research properly
By all accounts Mata is a rare combination in today's footballer, talented, intelligent and down to earth. As an LFC fan I'd love us to sign this lad, however, with no Euro football to offer we're rank outsiders to get him.
f*** off liverpool fans mata is arsenals too da loo mother fuckooooooooooorrrss
Well played Sean, make the rest of Arsenal fans look like complete and utter nobheads. Brilliant. I can't see him coming to Liverpool but I hope he does but as others have said, no European football means he wont want to IMO.
he is coming to arsenal and thats that
Hope him join Arsenal, though I don't see that happen, unless Arsenal lost Nasri this summer. Juan Mata will be necessary then.
Anirudh Sen - Actually, the assist statistic comes from Opta and refers back to the 2008/09 season onwards. So if you are going to make a correction at least do you research properly. Or least make it to the end of a sentence.
Wenger should sign someone from his family they wont cost that much, hearing the name Arsene Wegner sick my stomach
When players minds are elsewhere, it is better to allow them to move on, they will prove more of a hindrance than a HELP! No commitment......
Would love to kick out the ungrateful Samir Narnia. After being made into a star by arsenal the french frog thinks he should be competing for the ballon d'or. But really if he wants to go to a team full of stars and ride on their coat tails like Gael shitty, then he can show himself out of emirates door.
We will need him since fab is leaving. We add him plus 2 defenders we are home and dry. Have some faith fellow gunners. I do. For those who are working in cohorts with the anti arsenal media, remeber we have since had better arrivals that any of the top four this term. Rambo, Gervinho, Jetkinson, Primpng and Tarore. Watch this space. We will win a trophy this season and i want to see what you will all start to say.
Real common sense, although I see Mata as a replacement for Arshavin. Ever Banega, Mata's teammate is the one to replace Nasri. He's a powerhouse who is a defendive/attacking midfielder. He could with Alexander Song make the new Viera/Petit duo, exept smaller. Ever is a real quality act and could be the future of Arsenal. Watch him on Youtube. Because of their height we would need to buy Samba and Cahill. The Premiership would be ours. Nasri was accused by the French team doctor of being nothing but a troublemaker. It's true and we should show him the door and get £20,000,000.
are we really keen on another spanish player who will jump at the first chance to join barcelona and real madrid? not another reyes/fabregas
Eve Banega is Argentinian. Real top class. Mata, who knows, you may be right. The old saying is if you don't buy a ticket you don't win the lottery. Mata is a cut above Reyes ever was.
sell nas and fabs bring in mata, vidal and adefender 4there is no player bigger than the team have players who love the club
Get rid of the tight-ass Wenger, then these quality players will want to come over/remain although Cesc is a joke of a human being considering he`s the captain and shows no character of loyalty and probably encourages the Barca players to support his case to sit on the bench at the Nou Camp...take him please!
Sean. Do grow up.
/Szczęsny /Sagna /Samba /Koscielny /Vermaelen /Nasri /Song /Wilshere /Gervinho /Van Persie /Mata Subs: /Fabianski /Gibbs /Djourou /Ramsey /Arshavin /Chamakh /Walcott EPL 2011/2012 Winners.
I am fed up of coming online, just to find countless messages slating Wenger... It's the board that has the policy, Wenger is an employee. We couldn't do much better than Wenger, he is one of the best managers around.
I think its high time arsene wenger kmows that he can never get the best of players whose minds are no longer with the club. Just sell off fabregas & nasri & replace them with more commited & cool headed guys. After that i bet we will be stronger & better than we are at present. GUNNERS till........... ETERNITY.
What is Wenger waiting for? this could be another player we will lose becuase Wenger wants to keep Nasri, get Nasri out re invest the money on this guy , he will be worth ten times more then Nasri in five years , lets keep moving forward and focus on the players that want to play for Arsenal and not dwell on the Nasri's and Fabragas's of this world , there just too many great players out there waiting to be discovered ,
Mata should join arsenal rather than spurs or pool. Atleast he'll get to play UEFA !
Bluh bluh bluh,sack wenger,sack wenger,read the history of ths club so that u can shut up,our financial muscles fit those of blackburn n newcastle bt weve remained a top club 4 so long,i wonna c wenger die of age as our manager!mata a good bet,nasri a bloody fool,fabregas we lv u captain.
Arsene Wenger should allow the ungrateful nasri to go and replace him with a play who is ready to play for arsenal. Fab and nasri should think well before they end up like Reyes and Flamini.
It looks like we are really gonna get Mata. A real human footballer and not an etheric rumour. Arsene Wenger you are buying a top player. Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwiiiiieeeeeeeee!!!!!!
@ Kimz - Absolutely spot on. I often feel those that slate Wenger the most have the least appreciation of what came before.
Mata would be crazy to leave valencia and take a massive side step to arsenal. How would he be improving his career?
Let's face it, Arsenal are really not far from adding consistency to their delightful football. I really think last season only, Arsene lost his way. With Gallas and another really good centre back Arsenal may well have won the Premiership. But there is no one to blame but Wenger. You cant blame Sqillaci or Djourou if they are not good enough. They tried but were not up to it. This season will be much harder. But, with a couple of new centre backs to aid Vermaelen, Gervinho, plus Mata for Nasri, and another top player for Fabregas, no doubt Arsenal will be knocking at the door. Can Wenger see it or will his false economies, blight his vision. If he buys the right players, this team could be exceptional. If not they will be as inconsistent as last season. It's up to you Arsene, but it will depend on spending money.
hes worth a lot more than 20m so if we miss out on this chance ill be a really angry gooner. We missed out on Alvarez already so Wenger cant you stop fking around and sign people we need. Get rid of the money hungry Nasri hes bad energy for the team.
Unfortunately Wenger doesn't try to empathise or communicate with the fans. From the stands at the Emirates and the TV we get a fantastic generalised view of the game. We all know we need players. I think the Tv and stands are a complement to what he sees in training and pitchside. Trouble is he doesn't see what we see, plus he's become so indecisive as to be an embarrasment. I have to say I have never felt so frustrated as this pre-season and I've been watching them for 53 of my 62 years. We start our European qualification in just over a week. If we don't sign Mata now we may not even be in the next round and then he won't sign for us. Why won't we get to the next round?.Because we haven't even signed a CB yet. We are not guaranteed. Arsene you should go for Psychotherepy. If not could you pay for me and all the other Arsenal supporters who are tearing their hair out.
i want arsen wenger to buy samba or cahil so thatt the defence will be strong enough and buy mata alsommm
What a bunch of clueless Goonners slagging off your coach. Pathetic
nah the best in thta spain under 21 squad is Iker Muniain
Mata going nowhere. AMUNT VALENCIA!
Mr Wenger stop fking around & sign in people we need. With a coaple of new centre backs to aid plus mata & another top player for fabregas, no doubt ARSENAL will be knocking at d door. Buys the right players, for this team.
If we lose out on Mata it's down to the Board to get shot of Wenger once & for all. He states his interest in this player & that player but when push comes to shove he dithers so much we lose out. Plus Wenger seems to have this idea that the transfer money comes out of his pocket. We need a manager who will actually go for the throat in the transfer market & buy the players he's interested in. We have the money or is that a lie as well.
Arsene Wenger Arsene WengerYou Really Like To Play The Boss. It looks like we are really gonna get Mata. A real human footballer and not an etheric rumour. Arsene Wenger you are buying a top player.ARSENal Are SLEEPY?
get rid of wenger first, fuck wenger
Can you stop regurgitating the same story under a different headline everyday for hits? I'll give it one more day and will never return to this website, which is a shame as it was once worth a read.
Wenger this wat u shld do: fab does not leave for nothing less than 40mil, nasri can go for nothing less than 24mil, mata,samba,jagielka douglas costa and an esperienced keeper and also a good left back must be bought b4 transfer window closes. We enhance our team and we will have a chance at a title challenge at leasta. Wenger let go of ur bargaining skills and buy players dat want to win, 6 years is to much for a club like arsenal to go trophyless, please build our team.
to anirudh sen; messi has the most assist in la liga 2011 along with ozil plus goal tally equal to chris ronaldogay whose most goals came at the end of leaque that is already over.
lol...Poor Arsenal fans !! Six years draught is too much for any so called one of the best teams :)) Seing Wenger in a transfer market is like a beggar going in a mall to buy something..all the worthy and good players are out of his budget..
I saw Mata this summer among his contemporaries and he looked average at best. A player that really stood out was Swiss 19 year old Xherdan Shaqiri. If Wenger's going to buy an attacking midfielder I'd rather it be him.
Arsenal should buy mata as early as possible so that they can pay attention towards their defensive woes
Liverpool fans who think they are getting him are pathetic. He wants Champions League football, its not guaranteed but with him it most likely will be. @Brian You are seriously stupid, Arsene has money to spend and a lot of it he chooses not to spend if Wenger wanted to buy 110M signing he could afford so stop being such a media sheep.
@brian f*** u, wenger may be spending money but he's much betteer than ur manager and rule out any chance of buyin mata; he is an arsenal player already its jus a matter of time.
I've been fooled by Wenger's promises. I should have known it was a lot of b******s. I am so frustrated. I really thought we were going to get Mata and a good defender. After 53 years of supporting the Gunners, I am totally disappointed. Something is very wrong at the Emirates and I think it is Arsene Wenger notb the board.
i see some crazy comment here and i wonder. can anyone out there tell me the last time England national football team win any trophy?
I've just had it from my very reliable 'insider' at Arsenal, that they are renaming the stadium the 'Pampers Stadium'. Also Arsenal have started a sperm bank to clone hundreds of 'Cesc Fabregas's, all worth billions of pounds.
I can't stop laughing, so many comments about how he is already an Arsenal player. Looks like Mata saw sense and is coming to the good side of London. Its gunna be a quality watching him score a hat-trick at the Emirates.......For CHELSEA ;) PMSL.
This is the 3rd headline this article has had. Mata is great. We get it.
Arsene wenger is the 'idiot' of the year. I am an Arsenal supporter of 50 years. Wenger could have had Mata for a bargain fee, but the dickhead was too mean to see a bargain. Now Chelsea have got one heck of a player. This will come back to haunt Wenger. I love Arsenal, but Wenger is crap. Poor, poor Arsenal.
Its actually the other way around now. Its Mata the one regretful of not joining Arsenal now.
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