Gabi returns to Atletico Madrid – Spanish La Liga special
In the 2011 summer transfer window, Atletico Madrid have been in the news for the wrong reasons. A mass exodus is expected at the Capital club with star names linked to moves away from the nine-time La Liga champions. There is light at the end of the tunnel
for Atleti fans, though, as one of their lost sons returns to the club. Gabriel Fernandez Arenas, or simply Gabi, will play for Atletico Madrid in 2011/12 La Liga.
Gabi’s move to Atletico was been anticipated as the player’s contract at http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Real-Zaragoza-c40344 neared its end. The Aragon-based team entered voluntary administration after severe financial mismanagement led to accumulation of 80 million Pounds in debt. With a wage
cap of 800,000 Pounds per year in place, Gabi’s stay at Zaragoza was unlikely as he demanded an improved deal.
Gabi enjoyed his time in Zaragoza after joining from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2007. In the season ended, Gabi was instrumental in Zaragoza’s relegation battle as he lead from the front. His two goals in season finale against Levante were important
as Los Manos avoided the drop. And now he returns to his hometown club.
Gabi will add much needed depth in the midfield as players have failed to make the position alongside Raul Garcia their own. Garcia, like Gabi, is a Los http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Indios-c39565 youth product. Their central midfield pairing will be mouthwatering for the Atleti fans.
Gabi’s experience at the top level will be very important in the upcoming campaign. The Spaniard was the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Captain-c8314 of his adopted team in two of his four seasons and lead from the front. The defensive midfielder was in top form in the 2010/11 La Liga, where
he scored 11 goals. With Atletico bracing themselves to losing key players, goals from midfield would simply be invaluable.
The 27-year-old’s presence will allow the team to improve defensively in this campaign. The defensive midfielder is very good at breaking up play and his linkup with his defence has seen notable improvement from past campaigns with Getafe and Zaragoza. Better
still, Gabi knows when to get forward and get into dangerous positions, a trait exemplified by his goalscoring exploits this season.
It was thanks to his outstanding defensive abilities that Zaragoza were relatively solid defensively. As the club battled relegation until the last game of the season, it was not the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Defence-c38904 rather attack that left the fans asking for more. The team conceded
53 goals last season. Atletico shipped in the same number of goals, but with a huge difference in positions come the end of the season.
Gabi should be able to partner http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Raul-c30652 Garcia with ease and better still, bring the best out of him. His addition to the roster will allow the club to build on their defensive purchases alongside Portuguese Silvio. Defensive errors cost the club a number of
games last season and the issue in being addressed now.
With purchase of their youth product, Atletico have no doubt strengthened their outfit. The centre midfield has lacked a reliable partnership. Several options were deployed but to no avail. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Paulo-c29431 Assuncao were all
used with Raul Garcia but in vain as the players failed to establish themselves in the first team.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gabi-c14252’s return is a great sign for Atletico Madrid’s fans. They club hierarchy is disappointed with a seventh placed finish and looking to tackle the inherent issues. The team has been strengthened by the additions of Silvio and Gabi with funds to spare.
Atletico Madrid should fare better in this edition of La Liga as the club is ushered in a new era under Gregorio Manzano. Replacements have been brought in to improve the existing squad. A top-six position is the least the Atleti faithful would be expecting.
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