The founder of the Fenway Sports Group and more relevantly the Owner of Liverpool Football Club John W. Henry recently humorously questioned if the tobacco in the cigarettes of the once invincible Arsenal FC was indeed tobacco. This was not just a throw away comment but a serious question. Arsenal’s behaviour lately has been somewhat confusing!
Arsenal fans are now expectant of summers where “the next big thing” arrives from Europe for low amounts. Unfortunately this player never quite makes it. On goes the hunt for the next Henry or Viera. Later that transfer window, their best player leaves. But, these summers could be over!
This year, there has been no sign of “the next big thing” but more speculation regarding “the finished article”. Eight figure amounts have been mentioned and bid. It would seem Arsenal now possess money. Or do they?
Arsenal have a supposed £70m to spend. The more cynical of us presumed this proposed transfer kitty was a ploy aimed at Arsenal fans, unsure whether to renew their extortionately priced season tickets. The most cynical still believe that.
But, let’s forget all this negative thinking and imagine what the club says is true. Why then are they bidding so cheaply? They refused to go the distance with Napoli in the race for Gonzalo Higuain and they are massively undervaluing one of the top five strikers in the world, Luis Suarez. Do they really want these players?
Edison Cavani last week left Napoli for PSG the transfer fee was believed to be around €60million. In my eyes Luis Suarez is better than Cavani and yet the most the gunners could delve out of their big pot of money was £40,000,001. Also why Suarez? He has a reputation that will force any club he associates with into the spotlight for bad reasons and his shenanigans are very un-Arsenal like.
Do Arsenal need to go through all of that bad press? Playing with a man who every journalist/ football fan just loves to hate would surely stunt any team. Besides Arsenal aren’t desperately in need of a striker. They outscored both Tottenham and Chelsea last season. Why don’t they address the more important issue at hand: central defenders?
Per Mertesacker had a good end of the season. That does not mean he is a good enough centre-back for a team who have should be challenging for the title. Ashley Williams would be a great fit for arsenal. A goalkeeper would also be a good addition to the squad. Tim Krul or Michel Vorm perhaps.
What is really strange about Arsenal at the moment, is that Wenger is still in charge. Only a few are questioning the authority of the man who hasn’t won a trophy in 8 years. There is talk of a new contract as well. Wouldn’t Arsenal prefer to go into a new era with someone like Jurgen Klopp behind the reigns? No, apparently they’d prefer a same old season from Wenger.
Unless they pull off a few transfer miracles I would imagine that it will just be top four for Arsenal and no title contention. If they were really serious about winning the title they would bid £50m for Suarez and sign a new centre-back and a new goalkeeper.
Although their best player (probably Jack Wilshere) won’t leave and they might sign a few finished articles. I am almost certain that next season Arsenal will finish no higher than the usual, bog standard, 4th.
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Our defense was second best in the league. That’s not where we should try to reinforce if Wenger listens to you.
We outscored Tottenham and Chelsea but we scored 7 against Newcastle, 6 against Southampton etc. We need a strikeforce which scores 2 goals every match, and not 6 goals every 3 matches.
Fans should not renew their tickets! So they can know that we are also important! As things are now, they are happy coz they money from u! Open your eyes!
I have a funny feeling that come saturday the board and Wenger will fully experience the fans rage and expectations. the boo boys will be out with banners asking to …. SPEND SOME FUCKING MONEY …. I hope higuain score a hatrick against us and Wenger gets dogs abuse for it.
Its ridiculous we are 3 days from the emirates cup and we have signed one 20 year old shit striker who we all know is gonna flop. people are excited about sanogo..?? he is slow lazy and an average striker at best. mega injury prone.
Serious serious protesting needs to be done this weekend to let the board and wenger know how we feel about the lies and trickery they have pulled on us fans. I love arsenal but these old men running it can all die
Picture this: Mertesacker and Koscielny are injured/suspended at some point next season. Who do you turn to? An out of form, out of confidence Vermalen? An academy prodigy? A makeshift centre-back possibly Wildhere or Arteta? None of these options sound very solid. But what about that defender you bought relatively cheaply (£15m) from Swansea. He can pass. He can certainly defend really well. Most importantly he is a great leader. When Arsenal were great they had Adams, Viera, Bould, Keown, Seaman and Henry leading the team. Take out Wilshere. Who else now could organise, lead and inspire their team to turn a game around. When Chelsea were at there peak they had Carvalho and Terry. Arsenal had Bould and Adams. United had Vidic and Ferdinand at their bests five years ago. These great pairings were the cornerstones of great teams. If Arsenal want to become great once more they have to strengthen in this position. Even if they do stay injury and red card free Per and Laurent will not be a strong enough cornerstone. Never mind Per and Laurent. They could have Thomas (what happened to him, he used to very good) Vermalen and Arteta starting at the back in a North London derby. Arsenal could do with new regular starters but if not they NEED back up.