To further convince any believers that life after van Persie is not all doom and gloom, take this comparison appraisal: to say Arsenal made a profit of £5.5m on Thierry Henry when they sold him to FC Barcelona for £16m eight years after purchasing him for £10.5m is wrong – considering the inflation in transfer fees, the net present value of Henry’s £10.5m 1999 acquisition was roughly £20m in 2007, thus meaning Arsenal made a loss of £4m in real terms. Still, a small price to pay for the club’s all-time top goalscorer. In contrast, Robin van Persie was purchased for £2.75m in 2004, which, as a current transfer fee purchase price, converts to roughly £6.44m. (To explain, if they bought the 20-year old RVP tomorrow, he would cost £6.44m) Therefore, if they sell him for circa. £20m, they are up on their money to the tune of just under £14m. Not bad, considering RVP’s goals to game ratio is 0.47 to Henry’s 0.61.
So far Arsenal’s only transfer activity has circulated round Robin van Persie and his likely departure – fortunately, they are prepared for it. However, aside from Giroud and Podolski, Arsenal are yet to make any other purchases and a defensive fragility must be addressed between now and the closing of the window at the end of August. With just over a month to go before deadline day is upon us, Wenger has plenty of time to make his moves: however, with the Premier League kick-off under 20 days away, there is less time for his squad to be fully assembled in time for their season opener against Sunderland.
Although little can be read into the preseason results, Arsenal have only recorded one 90-minute match win – a 2-1 triumph over a Malaysia XI. Aside from that, Arsenal have: won the annual triangular Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup tournament hosted by Premier League newcomers Southampton F.C, in which they beat Anderlecht 1-0 over 45-minutes, before losing in a penalty shootout to the hosts after a 1-1 draw; lost 2-0 to Premier League Champions Manchester City; and drew two a piece with Kitchee FC. Their next scheduled friendly is against new boy Lukas Podolski’s old side FC Cologne.
Prediction for 2012/13
Arsenal’s success should not hinge on whether Robin van Persie stays or goes – his departure looks imminent and undoubted anyway. Rather, how well they do may come down to what Wenger does between now and September in regards to defensive reinforcements. In Laurent Koscielny, who recently signed a new five-year deal despite interest from FC Barcelona, and Thomas Vermaelen, Arsenal have a solid centre-back partnership which can flourish with the correct level of playing time that has thus far been hindered by injuries to both.
Considering Bacary Sagna is still injured and Andre Santos spent much of last season injured himself, perhaps wing backs are where Arsenal can reassert a dominance in a potential title challenge, with Kieran Gibbs and Carl Jenkinson possibly still too young and/or inexperienced to handle the weekly rigours of defensive duties at the very top, whilst also being the victims of rotation in their position. For Arsenal to be serious contenders for a top four finish, consistency will be vital at the back.
Prediction: 3rd
Written by Jordan Florit for www.maycauseoffence.com/ For more articles visit my website or my Twitter @JordanFlorit
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Can the two new forwards start scoring goals?If they can help Arsenal to challenge until the 38 th match,RVP’s loss will be a blip.
If not it will be back to the drawing board and more time will be wasted.
Arsenal are top 4, knobber.
Very poor prediction! How do you predict third position for Arsenal at this stage of the year with the season still to begin, and new players still coming in?
For me, Arsenal are a good bet to win the Premier League this season, why not? Here are my reasons:
1. This season Arsenal are far better equipped to compete than last season. They have a good goalie and a settled back four, unlike last season when Wenger had to bring in Mertesacker at the last minute, only to throw him in straight away. They are expected to have a far better understanding of each other in all aspects, so expect Arsenal to concede much fewer goals than the 49 they shipped last season.
2. Arsenal lost Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas almost at the end of the transfer window, giving Wenger no time to look for suitable replacements. He failed to land his first choice targets, Eden Hazard in particular, and settled for left-overs (not disrespecting D-day acquisitions). This time however, Podolski and Giroud have been signed already and have all the time they need to form a formidable understanding and score goals. Two strikers to replace one? You can’t ask for more, unless Van Persie were Lionel Messi.
3. Gervinho, as evidenced from the brief appearances in pre-season, and from our experience with most foreign players in England, will vastly improve to replicate the kinds of performances that made him a real star in League 1. Oxlade-Chamberlain will be a real force, no doubt, while Ramsey and Walcott will also massively improve.
4. Abou Diaby!!! He’s back, and back with a bang! I’ve seen enough of him to get convinced that he has recovered from his injuries. His presence is great news and will give Arsenal a real boost in midfield. His driving runs remind me of our very own Patrick Vieira, and I’m sure if he stays free of injury, will be able to justify Wenger’s words that ‘he’s the first on the teem sheet in midfield in the National team’ This will be supplemented by the steady maturity of Coquelin and the Song factor to make an impregnable midfield.
5. News has it that Nuri Sahin, M’baye Niang and especially Santi Carzola will be Arsenal players any time soon. If/when they do, You can imagine a midfield of: Song, Diaby, Arteta, Rosicky, Wilshere, Sahin, Carzola, Walcott, Gervinho, Chamberlain, Coquelin, Ramsey, Arshavin, Miyaichi, Lansbury. That squad is as good as you can get and can CLEARLY compete with the top dogs in England for the title.
Conclusively, it TOOOOO early to start making predictions now. No club has the divine right to win the Premier League. Montpelier won the league in France from absolutely nowhere, despite the riches of PSG, so why can’t Arsenal in England? Ton hell with your predictions!
Yawn!! same crap every year but still a top 4 finish every year. Up the Gooners EIE!!
Your yearly predictions for an arsenal demise should be dubbed “
Your yearly predictions for an arsenal demise should be dubbed “IF WISHES WHERE HORSES”. starting with a title that says “Can Arsenal still keep pace with the top four?” when in fact they have had a 100% record in that respect under AW despite all the doom mechants best hopes, you simply show you are one of the lot and a bitter one at that.
Did you read the article? I expect them to finish top 4 and point out AW 100% record. I didn’t title the article. Please have the decency to read my efforts and rethink your opinion of me.
Ooooh, some touchy Arsenal fans out there getting their knickers in a twist over a prediction.
Grow up you pampered lot and get over yourselves.
The author clearly states he expects you lot to finish in the top 4! which to be honest is overly optimistic in my opinion.
As for too early to predict where they finish, what a load of nonsense….journalists and football pundits make predictions every year weeks before the season starts.
I’ll make one for you, Arsenal will promise much and fail to deliver as usual
You are an asshole…Arsenal will show who they are this year…Podolski and Giroud will rock the Emirates…and probably that time your balls will be up in your brain…Go support the sxxds..