CABAYE WAS A BIG MISS FOR WENGER
ARSENE Wenger must regret not signing Yohan Cabaye when he had the chance because the midfielder could walk into Arsenal’s team, according to Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew.
Cabaye was so sure he would join the Gunners in August 2013 he refused to play for Newcastle on the opening day of that season, which ended in a 4-0 drubbing at Manchester City. Instead, Cabaye remained at St James’ Park under Pardew until January before being sold to PSG for £19million.
Arsenal travel to Selhurst Park tomorrow and Cabaye, reunited with Pardew after a £12.8m move to Palace during the summer, will face the club he so nearly joined.
Pardew said: ‘I go back to when Yohan wouldn’t play at Man City because he thought he was going to Arsenal.
‘It is ironic he’s with us getting ready to play against them. He is a fantastic player. We are honoured to have him and he is definitely the equal of Arsenal’s players.
‘I don’t think Arsene Wenger or anyone at Arsenal would disagree with that. We have a player who could definitely play in their team and that is a nice feeling for us.’
Asked whether Wenger missed a trick by not signing Cabaye, Pardew added: ‘Personally, I think yes. He would have made a great Arsenal player.’
Cabaye made only 39 appearances in Ligue 1 during his season and a half with PSG but scored on his Palace debut in a 3- 1 win over Norwich l ast weekend.
‘The competition there was immense,’ Pardew added. ‘I think the lads here have taken him under their wing. They understand he is the benchmark for our playing staff.’
Despite their history, Pardew hailed Wenger as a modern great. In 2006, the Arsenal manager was charged with improper conduct and fined £10,000 for shoving Pardew, then at West Ham, after he celebrated a goal too enthusiastically for the Frenchman’s liking.
Pardew, however, holds no grudge. ‘I don’t think we would have ever seen the type of football played in the Premier League without Arsene,’ he said. ‘He’s definitely educated coaches in this country on the beauty of possession. I think he is very brave to play the way he does week in, week out.’
Dwight Gayle, meanwhile, risks being stuck in limbo at Palace. Pardew revealed that the striker asked to leave but that the 24-year- old is now reluctant to move.
Bristol City made an £8m bid which was accepted, but Gayle is understood to be unhappy about dropping down to the Championship.
‘He’s a likeable lad. I have no issue with him at all other than he doesn’t get in my team. He wants to play every week, he’s in his prime.
‘Some players will want to stay and fight for his place in the team but Dwight has said he wants to go elsewhere.
‘Now there is a club and there is a reluctance to go. The ball is f i rmly i n Dwight’s court. It’s about the boy understanding where the best scenario is for him. At the moment, it’s not here.’