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Tottenham to resist Andrei Arshavin bidding war
Tottenham will not become involved in a bidding war with Arsenal over
Andrei Arshavin, with manager Harry Redknapp saying he wants a more traditional
striker, such as Craig Bellamy or Jermain Defoe.
By Jeremy Wilson
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High praise: Andrei Arshavin is a target
for Tottenham but club could resist Photo: GETTY
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Although no bid has yet been made, Arsenal manager Arsene
Wenger is considering making an offer for the ?20 million-valued Zenit
St Petersburg player, who is regarded by Spurs as similar in style to
Luka Modric.
Despite admitting that the global financial crisis has affected Arsenal,
Wenger has available resources and wants a creative midfielder.
Redknapp, who will not face disciplinary action for his criticism of referee
Steve Tanner following Spurs' defeat against West Bromwich, is expecting
a big bid for Portsmouth's Defoe from another club and is still considering
a renewed offer for West Ham's Bellamy.
Tottenham defender Jonathan Woodgate, who has argued that the club must
buy players, also criticised Tanner. "We are in a relegation battle,"
he said. "If we [players] make mistakes, we are punished but if the
officials do, what happens to them? Nothing. Something has to be done."
Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, meanwhile, says that William Gallas
has become a better player since losing the captaincy. "He took on
too much," said Almunia. "I see him on the pitch now and he
is playing better than before.
"I spoke to him last weekend, he thinks that too, because he is not
losing energy worrying about things with the other players.
"Maybe it's not been a great season for Arsenal. For some reason
we lost our way, our character and way to play on the pitch. We are improving
our behaviour on the pitch. But we still need to give a little bit more
to find the real Arsenal.
"We are not in a very good position. The main thing now is looking
for our identity, our way, or character, that give to this club titles
and trophies."
Telegraph.co.uk,
30 Dec 2008
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