Heroes & Villains, the Aston Villa fanzine
Heroes & Villains => Heroes Discussion => Topic started by: Risso on July 12, 2011, 01:25:48 PM
-
Interesting quote from Wenger in various places today regarding the sale of players:
"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," said the Arsenal manager. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.
"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you.
"We worked very hard with these players for years to develop them and now it's time for us to keep them together."
"And even if you lose Nasri, to find the same quality player, you have to spend again the same amount of money. Because you cannot say, you lose the player and you do not replace him."
Now replace the words Fabregas and Nasri with say, Young and Downing, and you start to see the difference in approach that seperates us from the big teams.
-
So Arsenal are a mid-table club like us then? As both Fabregas and Nasri are off. Like Modric at Spurs.
There aint half some big ambitionless clubs these days.
-
City. Tevez wants out
Spuds. Modric.
Inter. Sneider
Arse. Nasri and Fabregas
All guys jostling to find the best chance of success and/or money deal. It has less to do with the "ambition" of the club in question, just the chance of success in the following year. Modric shows us that. If Spuds were in CL, no chance of him wanting out now IMO.
Agents win.
Football loses.
-
We've lost three of our best players in the last two years, and it'll probably soon be 4. Both Spurs and Arsenal have said publicly that Modric and Nasri aren't for sale. Tevez wants to go back to Argentina, he isn't being sold to make ends meet, and City would hang onto him if they can. Entirely different scenarios.
-
Entirely different scenarios.
Well yes, Arsenal are in the Champions League. Would Young have stayed if Villa were in the Champions League? Would Downing want to leave?
I'll tell you this if Nasri leaves Arsenal it will look far worse on them than losing Ashley Young looks on Villa.
-
We've lost three of our best players in the last two years, and it'll probably soon be 4. Both Spurs and Arsenal have said publicly that Modric and Nasri aren't for sale.
And we've said Downing isn't for sale, the fact is they'll all leave this summer.
-
We've lost three of our best players in the last two years, and it'll probably soon be 4. Both Spurs and Arsenal have said publicly that Modric and Nasri aren't for sale. Tevez wants to go back to Argentina, he isn't being sold to make ends meet, and City would hang onto him if they can. Entirely different scenarios.
Although no two situations are the same, I don't think it's right to call them 'entirely different'. Arsenal also sold Adebayor and that CB who's name escapes me to the Man City oil money, because they wanted to go, as we did with Barry and Milner. And we've also said publicly Downing isn't for sale.
It's more about what you do after they leave that states what ambitions you have.
-
"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," said the Arsenal manager. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.
"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you.
Never a truer word spoken, Arsen.
-
We've lost three of our best players in the last two years, and it'll probably soon be 4. Both Spurs and Arsenal have said publicly that Modric and Nasri aren't for sale. Tevez wants to go back to Argentina, he isn't being sold to make ends meet, and City would hang onto him if they can. Entirely different scenarios.
Not really. Fabregas, Modric and Nasri will be at other clubs by September 1st.
And what tells you we haven't taken a hardline 'Not for sale at any price' with Downing? It's been rumoured from the fan meeting and by one or two fairly reliable journos.
-
We've lost three of our best players in the last two years, and it'll probably soon be 4. Both Spurs and Arsenal have said publicly that Modric and Nasri aren't for sale.
And we've said Downing isn't for sale, the fact is they'll all leave this summer.
I think AM wants him to ask for a transfer rather than just sell him to the highest bidder.
The difference between really big clubs and big clubs is that really big clubs don't lose players for reasons of wanting CL football elsewhere and if they do want to leave, - also, the club is as adamant as possible that he doesn't join an EPL competitor.
-
Players come and go and they're fickle spoilt brats with agendas. It doesn't say anything about ambition. Sometimes a good deal is a good deal, whoever you are.
But it's what you do afterwards that defines the ambition.
-
We can cope without Young and Downing, I believe there are players of equal quality that we can obtain.
It is also important we build a strong team mentality and cut loose the selfish players. Remember Downing and Young were consistent players in our poor campaign last season, it says a lot about individual talent.
Let Downing seek his "ambition" elsewhere!
-
Taking away the Villa comparisons for a moment, under what context has he said this?
"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," said the Arsenal manager. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.
"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you.
"We worked very hard with these players for years to develop them and now it's time for us to keep them together."
"And even if you lose Nasri, to find the same quality player, you have to spend again the same amount of money. Because you cannot say, you lose the player and you do not replace him."
Sounds to me also like a veiled dig at his own board that they should resist the sales. I wonder if he'll jack it in there if they're sold behind his back?
-
Entirely different scenarios.
Well yes, Arsenal are in the Champions League. Would Young have stayed if Villa were in the Champions League? Would Downing want to leave?
Liverpool aren't in the Champions League, and Downing wants to leave us to go there. They're not in Europe at all.
I think the point is that by selling our best players and appointing a manager very few people rated, we're not showing ourselves as a club on the up any more.
-
I don't disagree with you Risso but it all hinges on what you do immediately afterwards. If you spend the money you got in and a pot more on top to buy a new defence (summer 2009) it looks ok, if you buy the clubs record purchase striker the next transfer window (Jan 2011) it looks ok. Lets wait and see what money we spend and who we spend it on before deciding we lack ambition.
As others have said going for AM, and paying compensation for him, is a terrible way to get the fans on side, they must know that, the only way to win people back is to now back their choice of manager with big funds for the right type of players (younger players with a resale value and not on massive wages). I don't think we'll see beye/heskey style signings again anytime soon, which isn't a bad thing.
-
Maybe not Paul, but I don't think we'll see Milner/Bent type signings anytime soon either though.
-
I'll tell you this if Nasri leaves Arsenal it will look far worse on them than losing Ashley Young looks on Villa.
I reckon us losing Downing and Young will hurt more than them losing Fabregas and Nasri.
They have better players than us and more financial resources.
-
In 2009, Man Utd sold Ronaldo and Frazer Campbell. One was sorely missed, the other was not.
In 2011, Aston Villa sold Ashley Young and (possibly) Stewart Downing. One was sorely missed, the other (will) was not.
Downing is not in the same category as losing Young, Ronaldo, Modric, Nasri.
So, only one of our players would've left to go to a bigger club in Man Utd, of which I don't think anyone on here could argue they are not. So it is not the same situation at all.
-
Maybe not Paul, but I don't think we'll see Milner/Bent type signings anytime soon either though.
Maybe, but did you think you'd see us signing Bent?
-
I'll tell you this if Nasri leaves Arsenal it will look far worse on them than losing Ashley Young looks on Villa.
I reckon us losing Downing and Young will hurt more than them losing Fabregas and Nasri.
They have better players than us and more financial resources.
Do they? They'll get more for their two than we will for ours, but they hardly splash the cash out of their own coffers these days.
-
I'll tell you this if Nasri leaves Arsenal it will look far worse on them than losing Ashley Young looks on Villa.
I reckon us losing Downing and Young will hurt more than them losing Fabregas and Nasri.
They have better players than us and more financial resources.
Do they? They'll get more for their two than we will for ours, but they hardly splash the cash out of their own coffers these days.
I'm sure that will change when they lose two players and receive £50m, the pressure is on Wenger to spend as it is.
The fact still remains that their remaining squad is far better than ours.
The three stand out players in our squad last season were Bent, Downing and Young.
We could ill afford to lose any of them, we've lost one with another on the way, with no guarantee that the proceeds will be used for replacements.
-
"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," said the Arsenal manager. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.
"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you.
Never a truer word spoken, Arsen.
Point is Arsene, in world terms you don't manage a big club so big clubs will do just what you describe.
In world terms, we are also not a big club so big clubs will do to us just what he describes.
We, and they, are stepping stone clubs, they are just a little higher up the footpath. Without a root and branch change of the current system, that is the way it will stay.
Capitalism and a fair sporting chance doesn't work. Even the most cut-throat capitailists across the pond realise that in sport you have to create a level playing field.
-
I'll tell you this if Nasri leaves Arsenal it will look far worse on them than losing Ashley Young looks on Villa.
I reckon us losing Downing and Young will hurt more than them losing Fabregas and Nasri.
They have better players than us and more financial resources.
Do they? They'll get more for their two than we will for ours, but they hardly splash the cash out of their own coffers these days.
I'm sure that will change when they lose two players and receive £50m, the pressure is on Wenger to spend as it is.
The fact still remains that their remaining squad is far better than ours.
The three stand out players in our squad last season were Bent, Downing and Young.
We could ill afford to lose any of them, we've lost one with another on the way, with no guarantee that the proceeds will be used for replacements.
There's also no guarantee that they won't.
Arsenal's 'success' in recent years has come from an excellent scouting system and youth policy, which means they make a transfer profit yet, maintain their top 4 place. Large incoming fees won't change that and I'd expect we'll spend something similar to them, just that they need to spend less due to their conveyor belt producing the next Fabregas and Nasri for them.
-
I'll tell you this if Nasri leaves Arsenal it will look far worse on them than losing Ashley Young looks on Villa.
I reckon us losing Downing and Young will hurt more than them losing Fabregas and Nasri.
They have better players than us and more financial resources.
Do they? They'll get more for their two than we will for ours, but they hardly splash the cash out of their own coffers these days.
I'm sure that will change when they lose two players and receive £50m, the pressure is on Wenger to spend as it is.
The fact still remains that their remaining squad is far better than ours.
The three stand out players in our squad last season were Bent, Downing and Young.
We could ill afford to lose any of them, we've lost one with another on the way, with no guarantee that the proceeds will be used for replacements.
There's also no guarantee that they won't.
There are no guarantees in football, but i'd say that losing 2 out of our 3 best players puts us fimly on the back foot when you look at the standard of most of our squad.
For instance, central midfield
Petrov - Knackered
Makoun - Skilful, but still much to prove
Delph - Good potential, but largely untried
Ireland - Fruit loop
We also have no left back as yet, assuming there is no way back for Warnock.
-
Interesting quote from Wenger in various places today regarding the sale of players:
"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," said the Arsenal manager. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.
"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you.
"We worked very hard with these players for years to develop them and now it's time for us to keep them together."
"And even if you lose Nasri, to find the same quality player, you have to spend again the same amount of money. Because you cannot say, you lose the player and you do not replace him."
Now replace the words Fabregas and Nasri with say, Young and Downing, and you start to see the difference in approach that separates us from the big teams.
I get your point Risso, but I think it's posturing from Wenger as much as anything else.
Like 'arry with the Modric scenario, he's appealing to his own board with those kind of comments -almost challenging them to sell the player and suffer the consequences.
Unfortunately it seems that all the players in question want out - and if the clubs get a suitable bid, the heirachy will sell.
What might save Arsenal is that they at least have CL football (if they negotiate the preliminary round) and Nasri might bide his time for another 12 months and have far more options as a free agent. Barcelona also seem to want Fabregas - but don't want to pay a vaguely realistic fee for whatever reason. So that could drag on and on. And on and on...
-
Fabregas has been linked with a move to BArcelona for pretty well most of the the last three years. We played hard ball over Barry, which I admired, but sine then we've just given in without a fight.
-
Taking away the Villa comparisons for a moment, under what context has he said this?
"Imagine the worst situation - we lose Fabregas and Nasri," said the Arsenal manager. "You cannot convince people you are ambitious after that. You cannot pretend you are a big club.
"A big club holds onto its big players and gives a message out to all the other big clubs that they just cannot come in and take [players] away from you.
"We worked very hard with these players for years to develop them and now it's time for us to keep them together."
"And even if you lose Nasri, to find the same quality player, you have to spend again the same amount of money. Because you cannot say, you lose the player and you do not replace him."
Sounds to me also like a veiled dig at his own board that they should resist the sales. I wonder if he'll jack it in there if they're sold behind his back?
You're onto something here. Why would he make himself a hostage to fortune in such an obvious way?
He's getting his excuses in first. I reckon he's off.
-
Wenger always used to get rid of players when he felt they were past their best and had little else to offer, while he could still get a good fee for them (as did Ferguson). The players are calling the shots these days though.
-
Fabregas has been linked with a move to BArcelona for pretty well most of the the last three years. We played hard ball over Barry, which I admired, but sine then we've just given in without a fight.
I wouldn't say that. We held out on Milner until the deal Man City offered was simply too good to turn down. OK, part of that was Ireland who is a mental, but most on here were thinking we drove a pretty hard bargain there. Plus didn;t we also offer him a large new contract? And we've already said Downing is going nowhere.
What we won't do is let them go beyond the last year of their contract, so we'll always get something, which is right IMO.
-
His comments definitely resonate with us, and it is hard to disagree with them.
-
Spurs have turned down Chelsea's latest bid for Modric apparently.
-
In 2011, Aston Villa sold Ashley Young and (possibly) Stewart Downing. One was sorely missed, the other (will) was not.
Downing is not in the same category as losing Young
That's right, because Downing won player of the year to show how much we'd miss Young?!
-
Every year the same people fall for the same trick.
A player wants more money so says that he wants to join a more ambitious club. Fans then self flagellate, crying over a footballer earning vast vast sums of money who wants to earn more. Instead of turning on said players, the fans turn on their own clubs. It happens at every club - even Manchester United during the Rooney and Ronaldo sagas.
This has the knock on effect of pressurising the club to sign more players on ridiculous wages who will turn around and do the same thing in a few years time. The players and agents laugh all the way to the bank.
It's funny reading how people call our current board unambitious. If paying players almost 90% of your turnover and plunging the club deep into the red while making sustained £30 million plus losses every season isn't ambitious, I don't know what is. Maybe someone can enlighten me.
-
In 2011, Aston Villa sold Ashley Young and (possibly) Stewart Downing. One was sorely missed, the other (will) was not.
Downing is not in the same category as losing Young
That's right, because Downing won player of the year to show how much we'd miss Young?!
Ryan Giggs won footballer of the year in 2009 when clearly not the best footballer of the year.
-
Downing won our player of the year award. So what?
He had a 7/10 season IMO, good some games, missing in others. Add to that his abysmal first season and I won't miss him in the slightest.
Albrighton's stats are just as good and at least he looks remotely interested and will put his foot in
-
He usually puts his foot into the leg of an opposition player.
-
Think Wenger is right, in fact IMO, if you want to show true ambition, you sell Nasri for say 25ML, you go out and buy the new blood even at 30ML, just for intent.
We sold Young and previously Milner, 2 class wide players, we should at least install 1 very excellent alternative at least.
-
Cany somebody explain to me why Modric is considered to be worth that much money?
I've tried to see it and I just can't. Its not usually a problem I have. He doesnt score, he doesnt provide assists, he's not physically imposing, a tackler, a leader... So what is it?
He's about a tenth the player van der Vaart is and nobody is kicking their door down for him.
I cant stand Spurs but you have to be impressed. Here they are getting unbelievable money for an overrated wanker. Again.
They got £18m for Carrick and they'll probably sell Modric for twice that. There is some sort of jewish business magic at play here I think.
-
Cany somebody explain to me why Modric is considered to be worth that much money?
I've tried to see it and I just can't. Its not usually a problem I have. He doesnt score, he doesnt provide assists, he's not physically imposing, a tackler, a leader... So what is it?
He's about a tenth the player van der Vaart is and nobody is kicking their door down for him.
I cant stand Spurs but you have to be impressed. Here they are getting unbelievable money for an overrated wanker. Again.
They got £18m for Carrick and they'll probably sell Modric for twice that. There is some sort of jewish business magic at play here I think.
I agree.
Modric is good, but the money and mystique spinning around him suggests a talent not that far below Lionel Messi.
I really don't know what it is about Spurs, play for them and your value mirrors inflated London property.
You have to admit though, 'Arry is a canny wanker.
-
Cany somebody explain to me why Modric is considered to be worth that much money?
I've tried to see it and I just can't. Its not usually a problem I have. He doesnt score, he doesnt provide assists, he's not physically imposing, a tackler, a leader... So what is it?
He's about a tenth the player van der Vaart is and nobody is kicking their door down for him.
I cant stand Spurs but you have to be impressed. Here they are getting unbelievable money for an overrated wanker. Again.
They got £18m for Carrick and they'll probably sell Modric for twice that. There is some sort of jewish business magic at play here I think.
Exactly, he makes wonderful bagels and his Havla bread is to die for.......................
-
Anybody else struggle to sympathise with Arsenal re: Fabregas?
They did, after all, pinch him from Barca when he was just a kid. Now he wants to go back, who could blame them for forcing the issue?
-
Downing is more of a loss than youngy!
First full season young was unstoppable thats why he won the player of the year award, the last 2 seasons he has been good but not outstanding!
Can't see him replacing Giggs. Definateley a squad player but not first choice.
He went missing too many times in the big games.
Downing has been constantly good, even back in his boro' days he was always player of the year. Big, Big loss if he goes.
The players nowadays aren't interested in who they play for only what money they can get.
Ambition? Don't agree, most of the Arsenal Players have left for more money - Adebayor, Clichy,Toure, Fabregas etc
£75-100k a week isn't a lot of money any more its £150-200k a week is what the big names want.
Where will it end?
-
That lasted long didn't it?
Arsenal will do nothing of note this season at all.
-
Good time to revive this thread. People were predicting with confidence that Arsenal, if they sold Fabregas and Nasri, would go out and show their superior ambition and resources with the purchase of top class replacements, putting Villa firmly in their place. But at present, if anything, they look more directionless than we did.
-
Good time to revive this thread. People were predicting with confidence that Arsenal, if they sold Fabregas and Nasri, would go out and show their superior ambition and resources with the purchase of top class replacements, putting Villa firmly in their place. But at present, if anything, they look more directionless than we did.
If they finish the season with anything less than 15 points more than us I'll be absolutely amazed. They haven't got off to a good start, but I think two games is a bit soon to be writing them off.
-
I thought it might happen late last season but it's surely just around the corner and the frantic head scratching witnessed at the weekend was only the latest episode.
Wenger is slowly going mad, driven to it by a huge persecution complex and the fact that he is unable to come to terms with the fact that his current methods don't work.
Todays two match ban handed to him by UEFA won't help.
-
Downing is more of a loss than youngy!
Uh can I please have some of whatever you're on?
-
Good time to revive this thread. People were predicting with confidence that Arsenal, if they sold Fabregas and Nasri, would go out and show their superior ambition and resources with the purchase of top class replacements, putting Villa firmly in their place. But at present, if anything, they look more directionless than we did.
If they finish the season with anything less than 15 points more than us I'll be absolutely amazed. They haven't got off to a good start, but I think two games is a bit soon to be writing them off.
Sure. There's still a week to go in the transfer window, but at the same time I doubt whether the Arsenal forums are happy places today. Especially as they've just lost to the team a lot of them will be predicting will take their place in the top 4.
-
Good time to revive this thread. People were predicting with confidence that Arsenal, if they sold Fabregas and Nasri, would go out and show their superior ambition and resources with the purchase of top class replacements, putting Villa firmly in their place. But at present, if anything, they look more directionless than we did.
If they finish the season with anything less than 15 points more than us I'll be absolutely amazed. They haven't got off to a good start, but I think two games is a bit soon to be writing them off.
I don't think there was ever a discussion about whether or not Arsenal are a better team than us, which they are, but that when players want to leave it's very hard to keep them, even for a CL side, putting our issues with Ash and Downing into more perspective.
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
But does Wenger have the inclination to buy them as opposed to using his kids?
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
More than that, I reckon.
They need a new defence, they need to replace Fabregas and Nasri and a striker for every time Van Persie breaks down. That's without mentioning the dodgy keeper.
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
3 or 4 I would say. The problem is they need to be 3 or 4 very, very good players and they have just over a week to do it.
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
3 or 4 I would say. The problem is they need to be 3 or 4 very, very good players and they have just over a week to do it.
I think they could find themselves in a real mess if they dont get the quality it and could finish as low as 7th IMO>
-
Good time to revive this thread. People were predicting with confidence that Arsenal, if they sold Fabregas and Nasri, would go out and show their superior ambition and resources with the purchase of top class replacements, putting Villa firmly in their place. But at present, if anything, they look more directionless than we did.
If they finish the season with anything less than 15 points more than us I'll be absolutely amazed. They haven't got off to a good start, but I think two games is a bit soon to be writing them off.
Sure. There's still a week to go in the transfer window, but at the same time I doubt whether the Arsenal forums are happy places today. Especially as they've just lost to the team a lot of them will be predicting will take their place in the top 4.
Had a look at Arsenal Mania last night and they're saying it's the worst squad under Wenger and they're expecting 5th or 6th this season.
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
Maybe a bit more than that now Ozz. It's also the affect it will have on the squad to lose their two best and influential players, and as already been mentioned whether Wenger buys appropriately to replace them. It's all good and well signing the next superstar that we won't see in action until 2015, but he needs proven quality today. He's not done well in the transfer market in that respect. Add to that Wenger's own mental state. It can't be good for the players to see their manager with head in hands pose on what now seems a more regular basis. He's had enough time to find a solid goalkeeper and CB and he's massively failed to bring in either. Yet somehow he signed a 17yr old kid that they really didn't need for incredible money which proves he's still stubbornly listening to the voices in his head.
I think Wenger is on the verge of collapsing because he has nobody at the club to help him through this. David Dein was the one person that he could confide in and he's not there. Just some fat Russian bloke and an American with an impressively dodgy moustache. If he manages to pull some signings out of his arse in the next couple of days they have enough talent to secure a top 4 spot, but right now he's doing his best MON, and leaving everything to the last minute.
-
I can see them struggling on Wednesday night ..
-
Arsenal are fcuked if Van Persie picks up another bad injury this season.
Chamakh's last prem goal was at VP in November and Bedtner dosen't want to be there.
Going back to last season, Arsenal's form stands at 1 win in 11 games.
-
what's amazing is that seemingly everyone sees this except Wenger. The top players want out. I listened to 606 and almost every Arsenal fan that called can see the cracks appearing. The club lack any sort of discipline on the pitch, yet somehow Wenger will tell you they are the victims. It's like Wenger needs an intervention.
-
I've had ten quid at 6/1 that Wenger is the first Premier League manager to bite the dust. It'll be either dump or jump.
-
Arsenal are fcuked if Van Persie picks up another bad injury this season.
Chamakh's last prem goal was at VP in November and Bedtner dosen't want to be there.
Going back to last season, Arsenal's form stands at 1 win in 11 games.
Didn't he have a perfectly good goal disallowed against us at the Emirates? Another one who seems to play well against us only. But seriously with him, was it the cold winter but he disappeared from the team since they played us at home and seemed to barely get a chance even as sub for the rest of the season even though they were desperate for goals.
-
Sometimes people who have had success get stuck and stubourn, the more people question him the more entrenched he seems to become. Fans are saying we bought the debentures we are paying top price for tickets, where are the Trophys, bless em
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
More than that, I reckon.
They need a new defence, they need to replace Fabregas and Nasri and a striker for every time Van Persie breaks down. That's without mentioning the dodgy keeper.
Trouble is, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea are not much better and Arsenal will still beat sides that can't cope with movement. A centre back, and 2 central midfielders and I reckon top 3 still.
-
Arsenal are 3 signings from finishing in the top 4. And have the money to do it, and the pull to get them.
More than that, I reckon.
They need a new defence, they need to replace Fabregas and Nasri and a striker for every time Van Persie breaks down. That's without mentioning the dodgy keeper.
Trouble is, Liverpool, Spurs and Chelsea are not much better and Arsenal will still beat sides that can't cope with movement. A centre back, and 2 central midfielders and I reckon top 3 still.
Apart from possibly Wilshere and Sagna, I can't think of any Arsenal players that would get close to the Chelsea team.
And Chelsea are going to have their work cut out to get close to the top two.
-
Considering how poor Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool are it's disappointing that the club have decided that our chance has gone and are not going to try and break into the top four.
-
The players I see them linked with most often are M'Villa and Hazard. Both have huge reputations as wonder kids but lack experience, so they're classic Wenger signings. Surely Parker would be ideal for them to help bring on Wilshire and Ramsey? Equally Jaglielka rather than Cahill would be a much more prudent signing to me as he has been around a bit and is more of a leader.
It's weird the problems seem so obvious that it should be easy to fix.
-
Considering how poor Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool are it's disappointing that the club have decided that our chance has gone and are not going to try and break into the top four.
I think we've just decided that it won't be this season. I would hope that after next summer we'll again start to invest more in players that are of the right age and with an adherence to a tighter contractual policy combined with a keen eye to continuing to develop our own. My thoughts are that the club want to clear out the last of the aging players on big contracts first before they push on again.
-
My Arsenal ST holding mate was talking today about how important their match tomorrow is. Fail to qualify for the CL and they can forget about spending the Fabregas and Nasri money (that's assuming they have time) - it'll be used to plug the revenue hole.
The Fabregas thing is puzzling. The whole world and his wife knew he'd be off to Barcelona this summer. They should have sold him as early into the window as possible and moved on. It's all very well haggling for the last million or two, but if you get it a week and a bit before the window closes, you're not going to have a chance to spend it.
Or maybe that was the point.
-
I was about to mention that I wondered how big the Udinese game would be for them. Not just for the money but also to attract players.
-
if they go out it could set them back years. It will be a monstrous financial blow.
-
Udinese should have hammered them last week so it will be an interesting game.
-
if they go out it could set them back years. It will be a monstrous financial blow.
Not necessarily. When they moved to the emirates they were budgeting for Champions League once every three seasons and average gates far lower than they've ever achieved.
-
Let's hope they go out and then we will see.
-
I think Arsenal also made a fortune from the redevelopment of Highbury didn't they? Of all the Big 4/5, I think they're the most financially sound. Not qualifying for the Champions League would be a blow of course, but I think they'd feel it the most in terms of trying to attract replacements for Nasri and Fabregas.
-
Arsene Wenger today blamed Aston Villa for Samir Nasri’s decision to move to Manchester City.
Speaking after the player had agreed a five year deal at Eastlands, Wenger said that Nasri, 24 had been forced to quit Arsenal because of Villa’s failure to replace the likes of Gareth Barry and James Milner.
“I have been in England for over ten years now and it has always been Villa’s job to provide City with their best players” said the Frenchman, “we are being punished for their failure.”
“If we are going to hold onto our best players Aston Villa and not Arsenal must provide City with what they need.”
Nasri had trained with Arsene Wenger’s squad on Tuesday in the vain hope that Roberto Mancini would opt to sign Fabian Delph, but the Gunners’ chances were dashed when the City manager saw the player in action.
Speaking after concluding the Nasri deal Roberto Mancini made it clear that his days of shopping at Villa Park were now over.
“Their best players have already played for Manchester City and the last time I went to Villa Park I was attacked by Stephen Ireland dressed up as a chicken, everyone told me that London is good for shopping and that is where I will go from now on” said the City chief.
-
I think Arsenal also made a fortune from the redevelopment of Highbury didn't they? Of all the Big 4/5, I think they're the most financially sound. Not qualifying for the Champions League would be a blow of course, but I think they'd feel it the most in terms of trying to attract replacements for Nasri and Fabregas.
Wenger said tonight that the game was not financially important, and they have practically paid off the loan they took out to buy the Emerites now, within 4 seasons when they projected 10 or something like that. They are in an enviable financial position, but that has been complimented by the ability of Wenger to school players in a style of football that has consistently gained champions league football and big transfer profits. We have seen already that although being criticised to the hilt, the group of young players he has there will likely to continue bringing big fees in. The test he has now is re investing over the next week to ensure they qualify again.
As for the players getting into the Chelsea team, it is open to debate of course, but I reckon you could argue 4-5 of them would currently. Chelsea are ageing and not at all the side they were 2 years ago. Where they have failed in the lack of managerial continuity, causing long term planning and player recruitment to be very hit and miss, whereas you look at United and even with their worst squad in years last season, they won the league, got to the FA Cup Semi and Champions League final. And then have bought 3-4 young players to replace the ageing ones. Fergie gets rid of players when their useful life is up, Chelsea don't seem to have that.
-
Arsenal are miles behind Chelsea.
It's all very well to talk about paying loans off early, but the Arsenal fans want to see a hint of some silverware. Not everyone can win things year in, year out, but Wenger's problem is that the whole world and his dog can see what Arsenal's weaknesses are, and have been able to do for a few years now, but Wenger seems determined not to do anything about it.
They did well tonight, but it's really pretty easy to guess how the rest of Arsenal's season will turn out.
Apparently their CL run last year earned them 26m. Thats a lot of money, and they'll be relieved at tonight's result, but on the pitch it is really papering over the cracks, and they'll stagnate until they address their real problems.
-
Wenger said tonight that the game was not financially important
Do you actually believe anything that comes out Wengers mouth these days?! Of course qualifying for the CL is financially important.
-
Wenger seems to see principle as a substitute for, not a guide to, thought. A month ago, I would have bet that they finished in the top four. Now I can see the wheels falling off the wagon similar to what happened to Liverpool when they lost Alonso.
-
Wenger seems to have forgotten how to coach a defence. Squillaci was a pretty good champions league defender until he went there, and the others all have decent attributes that are in the squad.
Unless he buys an absolute top notch defensive general they will be as inconsistent as last year or worse. He certainly doesn't have to ability to create one himself and his previous success was from a ready made Tony Adams and buying Sol Campbell from spurs.