Arsenal fans often tell each other, ‘Arsene knows’. Such is the level of belief in the Frenchman, that they’re willing to credit the slightest swing of fortune and pass off anything that doesn’t accord to their vision of the great man. If he makes a good substitution, ‘Arsene knows’. If he picks a starting eleven that shocks the pundits, but out-performs the opposition, ‘Arsene knows’. If he makes a smart signing, ‘Arsene knows’. Consider, for example, the credit he’s receiving for signing Santi Cazorla on the cheap from Malaga this season. This is the same man that signed Olivier Giroud (and Mikael Silvestre some seasons ago) remember.
In recent times, Arsenal fans have been forced to deal with their club selling on their best talent. Ever since big-spenders like Chelsea and Manchester City popped onto the sign, changing the transfer landscape, the Gunners have found it difficult to keep hold of the best players.
In recent times they have had to watch the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Robin Van Persie leave the club. Worst of all, they’ve ended up at clubs who are direct rivals with Arsenal.
Arsenal fans have desperately tried to reassure themselves that these players made a mistake when leaving the club. But let’s face it. These players are not like Alexander Hleb. Even Samir Nasri, the least talented of the three, has picked up a League title with Manchester City.
That’s considerable more than Arsenal have managed to do over the course of the last seven years. Maybe the grass is greener on the other side after all. It’s little wonder that Theo Walcott is considering his Arsenal future. Should he leave, he’s bound to win some kind of trophy with his new club.
But what about Alex Song? The defensive midfielder was one of the Gunners best players last season, grabbing a large number of assists and showing his tenacity wherever possible. He looked like an impressive mix of physicality, grace and intelligence.
Naturally, Barcelona, who must have viewed him as Yaya Toure’s heir, came knocking and snapped him up. In the limited time he’s had at the club, he’s found himself playing second fiddle to Sergio Busquets and has often been deployed as a centre-back. He’s also displayed his trade-mark lack of positional sense on numerous occasions. In all honesty, he’s something of a liability.
The Gunners on the other hand have improved immeasurably in the midfield, thanks to the arrival of Santi Cazorla.
Given Song’s inconsistency, I’d say that £15m was a fair price for him. He’s a good player, but Arsenal can do better. Maybe ‘Arsene knows’ after all?
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Song had good assist stats last season and overall did well – he’s no worse in his lapses of concentration that others like Diaby or Koscielny are . Those pair are however are still with us and still making costly making mistakes .
Koswho had a mare since his return was at it last again night for France when giving away a penalty against Spain – after making a rash clumsy challenge.
Fabregas missed the spot-kick though and got Kos off the hook – although it’s quids in that Kos will drop more big clangers this season . The German defense last night – Mertesaker in it – threw away a 4 goal lead – and I’m more concerned about the players who are still with us rather than those that have departed. Nasri, Song, RVP, etc, may give us some grief though when we play their new teams -in RVP’s case we may not have long to find out. Wenger should be judged on his overall record on results and not on having made the odd good signing . He can’t e falted though on showing profits on his buying and selling of players.
Wenger should just be left to do what he does best >
To nurture and bring out the best talents n skills in individual players. Grooming them into positions/territories they thought or never even dreamed they will best at!
in Arsene I trust
am only concerned with a bunch of spurs fans masquerading as gunners supporters, how can u compare giroud to silvestre? even Henry had a slow start now he has a statue. giroud need more minutes not unfounded criticism perpetuated by spurs fans(who are wishing he was their striker)
What a horrible article, written by a bitchy writer.
Why the patronising tone? Why the air of superiority?
And why complain of a manager who has made a few bad signings, but has also made the most impressive signings – by your pathetic logic, any manager who makes a bad signing is crap. So, I challenge you to name a manager who has made 100% good signings. You cant? Then a lot of your article is null and void Im afraid – much like your attempt at a theme – the truth is, the vast majority of players who leave Arsenal fail to reproduce their form, struggle to step up a level. That is indisputable.
So your article, apart from being patronising, bitchy and inaccurate, is contradictory and pointless.
Must try harder.
Awful.
>>It’s little wonder that Theo Walcott is considering his Arsenal future. Should he leave, he’s bound to win some kind of trophy with his new club.<<
wow did you stay up all night figuring that one out?
Bound to win a trophy eh? I guess all you need to do is join Arsenal and then leave…Bob's you uncle
dude, how the hell did you ever get a job writing?? poor poor poor poor poor poor poor poor poor contradictory nonsense. You should write for murdoch!
It amazes me that you can carry on with the drivel you churn out. I would have more respect for you if you cut and paste 2 month old stories. perhaps you could write a piece on the signing of Cazorla and how he has made a huge mistake joing arsenal while at the same time attepting to tell us that it wont hurt his international chances.
consider your self blocked………..
No point writing on a stupid post.
What a poor article by a certain arsenal or wemger antagonist, I don’t know how giroud compares with silvestre in any sense… Either u are totenshit fan or a chelshit… Don’t you wish this genius was your manager. Pathetic!