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Mario Yepes to Arsenal a Token Arsene Wenger Move
By Josh Sippie
Mario Yepes was not a name on many people’s minds when Arsene Wenger pointed out that Arsenal needed cover at the back. With the transfer window shut, Arsenal appeared (debatably) set at the back until January.
Not so, according to numerous reports emerging that the Colombian captain Mario Yepes could be headed to Arsenal.
At 38 years old, Arsenal only have to duel for Yepes with one other possible destination – retirement.
But even given his advanced age, Yepes does not play like a 38 year old. First of all, he captained a very impressive, Falcao-less Colombian squad deep into the World Cup. He wasn’t just a figurehead, he contributed massively, as he completed 84% of his passes (5th on the team) and won 52% of his challenges (also 5th on the team).
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He played every single minute of the World Cup and if you would’ve asked me his age based on his performance alone, I probably would have shrugged and said 31 (his greying beard is a dead giveaway though).
All of this is supposedly brought on by the new Arsenal keeper David Ospina, who has done all he can to coax the experienced elder over to Arsenal on a free transfer.
Leave it to Wenger to wait until after the transfer window shuts to try and find a quality center back, but he may have found it. Yepes has a ton of experience playing for the likes of PSG and AC Milan and the World Cup proved his ability and ongoing endurance. He’d provide excellent coverage at the back for Per and Kocielny and he won’t make any rash challenges or glaring mistakes.
I was a huge fan of Arsenal’s transfer window moves. Yepes would make me an even bigger fan. Experience, skill and the unbeatable price (free!) make this a no-brainer. But again, it’s still only a rumor, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
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