Jagielka bid confirms that Squillaci was never the first choice

Jagielka bid confirms that Squillaci was never the first choice

Prior to the Everton game, David Moyes confirmed that we had made a bid for their centre-back Phil Jagielka.

We made an £8m according to Moyes, something which Everton found "ridiculous".

They valued Jagielka more in the region of £20m , a price which scared Arsene Wenger away.

While it is a fact that English players do cost more than their European counterparts, sometimes it is a reality that English clubs have to live with. It does not make it right but it is the way it is.

I think Everton were prepared to negotiate with Arsenal and that Jagielka was very keen on the move (Moyes said that they discussed it at length) but Wenger typically went for a much cheaper alternative in Squillaci.

While most people are criticising Koscielny, I think Squillaci has actually been the bigger disappointment out of the two.

Koscielny may have been sent off a couple of times (both harsh red cards) but I think he is an intelligent defender who will improve.

He is a lot younger as well.

I was just expecting so much more from Squillaci.

I saw Squillaci a few years ago with France and Sevilla and I thought he was very good, but it seems that he was constantly injured last season.

He has struggled a lot for us and I hope that Vermaelen recovers soon. But Wenger will still need to decide whether to go for Jagielka again in January