Arsenal’s Africans impressed by trialist Mputu but Wenger’s dithering lets in Standard Liege

By Aries

Tresor Mputu, as has recently been reported on this site, has finished a ten day trial at Arsenal but as yet there are no news.

This is after Wenger himself stated that he was impressed with the player and the player’s agent predicting that the deal was as good as done!

Mputu certainly impressed the African contingent at Arsenal. It is reported that they laid out a dinner for him the day before he left to return to Congo where Adebayor even told him that his skills deserve to be displayed in Europe.

"The Football you practice is good enough for European countries such as France where you should certainly have been."

Arsene Wenger is delaying making a decision on the matter despite recognising the player’s qualities:

"He has qualities, but he has never played in Europe. Maybe we'll pursue it, but it will be on a six to seven-month plan, you know, you get the guy in to adapt, and then we'll see how well he does."

It appears that Wenger is delaying making a decision so that he can also assess Bulgarian Dimitrov who has started his trial at Arsenal this week.

However this dithering has energised Standard Liege’s sports director, Dominique D'Onofrio, who had shown a very keen interest to bring Mputu to Belgium prior to Arsenal “high jacking” the player.

“We sent the invitation to the player, it is up to him to decide. For his first experience in Europe Standard Liege can be a good step”. We will not wait forever"

If Mputu ends up going to Belgium he will have good company as his fellow compatriot and ex team mate at TP Mazembe, Dieumerci Mbokane, is already plying his trade there.