Arsenal: Gareth Bale would be greatest coup in footballing history

Arsenal stumble into the most improbable transfer rumors sometimes, and far are more improbable than Gareth Bale. But could there be anything greater?

Arsenal’s transfer rumor mill is an active place full of whimsical fancies and unrealistic dreams. There isn’t a player in the world that is spared from making an appearance or two. Lionel Messi even entered the ranks a couple years back.

And right now, Gareth Bale has reappeared. I generally ignore rumors that we all know are rubbish, it wouldn’t do to entertain thoughts of Arsenal dropping £100m+ on the injury-prone Welsh superstar. But, if you’ll indulge me, let’s think about exactly what such a coup would mean in the grand scheme.

I’m not exaggerating when I say this would be the greatest coup in footballing history. There have been some massive cannon-fire transfers, funny enough, some on that list already come from the North London Derby – Adebayor, Sol Campbell.

But Gareth Bale would take the cake or all cakes.

Bale was a Tottenham favorite. He spent his youth years there, moving to Spurs when he turned 18. It was obvious how high caliber this player was right from the start. His speed was unprecedented and, unlike Theo Walcott, it grew from there.

But he outgrew a stagnant, mid-table Spurs and moved to Real Madrid, where he has been a mainstay when he can manage to stay healthy (which isn’t very often).

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The conversation has changed drastically since Bale was at Spurs. Now, people try to claim that his former club are actually bigger than Arsenal, which is a hoot and a half, and was put to bed when Spurs were handily put down in this years first North London Derby.

Arsenal proved that North London was still red and would be for at least another decade.

But there are still some who persist in saying that Tottenham are on the up and the Gunners are on the downfall. To those that say the Gunners are still the bigger club, their main point is that bi players would rather go to the Emirates, which makes them the bigger club.

Imagine if, while the Spurs are “on the up and up,” the greatest player to leave Spurs since Sol Campbell opted to join Arsenal when they were on the down. It would absolutely shut up any and all Spurs faithful that cling to their belief that they are the bigger club.

It would stick it top the known world. I’d love to hear Garth Crooks try to justify how this could happen.

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Of course, it won’t happen. Bale is an injury-ridden mess, especially lately, and while that may help the Gunners procure him, given the rise of other players at Real Madrid, the price would still be astronomical. We can still dream though. Needless to say, he’s cover for any potential exits.

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