ARSENAL have completed the signing of 30-year-old centre-back Sebastien Squillaci, who has joined the club on a ‘long-term contract’ (believed to be a four-year deal) from Sevilla for a fee believed to be in the region of £5.5 million.

Manager Arsene Wenger confirmed the news to Sky Sports News;

“We needed a centre-back of quality and experience if possible, and at the right price – he was all of that. He is a real defender and is good in the one against one, good in the air, and can score goals on set-pieces as well.

I believe he will be suited to the English game. He will train with us tomorrow morning, but will not be involved on Saturday.”

As Mr. Wenger intimated, Squillaci’s registration does not come in time for him to play in Arsenal’s Premier League trip at Blackburn on Saturday, but the French defender will be eligible for the club’s Champions League campaign after asking to miss Sevilla’s Champions League play-off against Braga so as to ensure he wouldn’t be cup-tied for European competition.

What say you Gooners? Do you see Squillaci as a good signing/underwhelming signing/anybody-that-isn’t-Mikael-Silvestre-will-do signing?

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