Virgil van Dijk has established himself as one of the premier defenders in Europe while playing for Liverpool, contributing significantly to the team’s success in winning the Premier League, Champions League, and other trophies.
Before his move to England, the Dutchman was closely observed by several Premier League clubs during his time at Celtic, including Arsenal and Liverpool. Had either side secured his signature at that time, it might have come at a lower cost than what Liverpool eventually paid for him.
John Collins, a former coach at Celtic, has recently disclosed the reason why Arsenal opted against signing Virgil van Dijk during his tenure at the Scottish club.
He said, as quoted by the Daily Star:
“Arsenal’s chief scout thought he was too nonchalant.
“Maybe that was part of his game but he ticks so many of the other boxes. He’s got pace, power, balance, distribution and he’s good in the air. He can be a bit nonchalant but he is a quality player.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
If we had signed VVD at the time, he may have flopped. His move to Southampton helped to develop him further, so Liverpool signed a much better version of the centre-back.
We do not need to regret not moving for him because he may not have been the right signing for us at that time.
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We have William Saliba now who is equal to the task so no need to worry every coach and pundits have been amazed at how Saliba plays so am thankful to those who bought him.Timber,Saliba,Gabriel and Tomiyasu will give arsenal the most comfortable and fearsome backline the premier League has ever seen so can’t wait to see these guys play together Saliba and Gabriel at centre back Timber at right back Tomi at left back very versatile players to have.
We need at least one natural left footed left back to give balance to the back four, and to bring some attacking support to whoever is playing on the left wing.Timber and Tomi can fill in as defensive,inverted left back but neither can provide attacking flair which is needed down the left flank.Basically Tomi and Timber are right sided centre backs who are also effective at right back.In the case of Timber, he has the skills to adapt to a DM role which he filled in occasion for Ajax.Perhaps that is where his future with Arsenal lies?
Pure footballing common sense Grandad – we had such a player did we not in Kieren Tierney?
The most fearsome backline the EPL has ever seen.
And yet fighting for fourth place.
Van Dijk is a born winner with trophies to show for it. I would take him over any of the most fearsome backline the EPL has ever seen.
What comprises of the most fearsome back four you’ve ever seen?
Arsenal failure in Capturing Van Dyke is water under the bridge, he has served Liverpool well and has justified his price tag.
Klopp is a real coach/manager.he knows when to spend and when to pass a player. If we had Klopp, ……..
Let’s watch in dismay as 800M GBP cannot help us win the, League Cup, forget the EPL or UCL. We bottled up every EL chance these 4 years. If you need to start a bottling factory in North London, and need a strong character as the manger, you know whom to contact.
Err I think it’s you we have to contact. You seriously have absolutely nothing good to say about Arsenal. Are you just here to piss everyone off?????
HOW very revealing of extreme youth is the hyped claim in the post of Naftali, when he claims, in laughably untrue style, that our current best choice back four is “the most comfortable and fearsome backline the Prem m has ever seen”!. Its certainly a very decent backline when ALL ARE FIT, which is rare, in any case
. But “best ever”? Utter nonsense, as even early middle years and ALL we far older fans have long known/
Utter balderdash, as anyone old enough to have seen the Invincibles defenc will know.
Or better still the old George Graham famous back four, inherited and sensibly having their careers extended by the early brilliance of AW.
Mere youths always seen to think those VERY FEW who they have ever known are the best ever . Plainly they cannot know better, as they were not around and many of them not even born.
OPINIONS ARE FINE OF COURSE, BUT WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE BORN OF EXPERIENCE, THEY ARE JUST STABS IN THE DARK, SO TO SPEAK