Whilst the transfer of RVP away from the Emirates would not render Arsene Wenger’s position immediately untenable, fans and commentators would yet again make claims that Arsenal are a selling club and thus, will not challenge for the title this season.
Unfortunately for Wenger, Arsenal have previous; the inability to persuade Cesc Fabregas that they could compete for trophies and the sale of Samir Nasri to rivals Manchester City do nothing to help dispel the rumours that RVP is also set to move on.
For all the criticism of Wenger and Arsenals’ transfer policy, the Gunners secured a 3rd position finish last season, finishing above rivals Tottenham and guaranteeing Champions League football this season. Unfortunately this has failed to appease the fans that have cited the imminent sale of RVP as yet another moment in Arsenals’ recent history where they have failed to compete, or give themselves the chance to compete, with the best the Premier and Champions League have to offer.
Reasons to be cheerful?
Not a day has gone by this summer without an RVP rumour. This has allowed Arsenals incoming transfers to almost slip under the radar. The signings of Olivier Giroud, Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla are not to be scoffed at.
Giroud comes to Arsenal on the back of a goal return of 39 in 86 for Montpellier over the last two seasons. With 93 goals in 216 career appearances, one would have expected Giroud to have made more international appearances than the 9 (scoring one goal) obtained already (perhaps suffering from the lone forward system used by France, fronted by Karim Benzema).
The indifference shown by some Arsenal fans to the signing of Lukas Podolski is somewhat surprising. Still only 27, Podolski has scored 44 goals in 101 appearances for Germany, amassing 112 in 291 career appearances. The left sided Polish born forward has a left foot that would rival that of a certain Dutch forward well known to Arsenal fans…
Santi Cazorla provides Wenger with a further wide threat; Cazorla has plied his trade from wing positions, making 323 career appearances scoring 52 goals whilst also making 41 international appearances for Spain. Although a fringe player for Spain (not at all a criticism) Cazorla was the second top scorer in a Malaga team that last year secured Champions League football.
Write Arsenal off at your peril
It must be made clear that at the time of writing, RVP is STILL an Arsenal player. Although it would be folly to suggest he will remain as such, it is worth pointing out that Carlos Tevez was “never going to play for Manchester City again”.
With Juventus and Manchester United knocking on the transfer door, some fans have accepted RVP leaving is inevitable and are looking to see how the Arsenal squad will develop in his absence. Arsenal have amassed a squad with depth; Diaby, Walcott, Arteta, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Rosicky, Ramsey, Cazorla, Song, Frimpong are all vying for starts in the Arsenal midfield for example.
It will be interesting to see how Wengers’ new look side lines up on Day 1 at home to Sunderland…
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No,no,no – you’re right, we’re chopped liver- FFS!
Where did you get the picture from, Gary Lineker’s album?
I think this is an appalling piece of journalism. Go comment on your own club instead of spouting gossip and hearsay that is basically inaccurate.
MJB, care to be constructive?
Hardly “spouting gossip” ? Merely commenting on the existing speculation. I even suggest RVP may stay (I personally hope he does)
Come what may Arsenal will still compete next season and make some journalists look very silly. The usual stuff.