Reaching the promised land with broken promises?
Written by Asser Ghozlan on Wednesday, September 3, 2008
We're into September now, and that only means that the transfer "window of opportunity" has slammed shut. And we have not been strengthened. Not enough to derail Manchester United as champions of the last two seasons anyway, or to be neck-and-neck with Chelsea. In fact, I am suitably worried that the likes of Aston Villa and the new-look Manchester City may be about to snap at our heels for a top-four finish this season. And so should you!
I have been known for my cautious optimism and staunch defence of Arsène Wenger. Not just on here, but you ask anyone related to me; friends, family, random people at football matches, and they will tell you how I have been constantly retorting that "this was our year" for the last three years. Arsenal supporters advised me to "wake up and smell the coffee", United and Chelsea fans turned away and laughed.
But as the clock hurriedly ticked on September 1st, I was still left with a speck of optimism regarding an 11th hour Wenger coup. Waiting. Expecting. Hoping that the elusive big, strong, quality defensive midfielder's arrival would be announced to compete with the frankly elongated and boring news feeds on Berbatov and Robinho. The news never came, and I was left to contemplate how on earth Wenger thinks that a midfield of Nasri-Fabregas-Denilson-Eboue (Ro-"sicky" is just not planning a return this decade it seems) can possibly outcompete a midfield combination of Giggs-Scholes-Hargreaves-Ronaldo or a Deco-Essien-Lampard-Ballack diamond over a long, hard slog of a season!
The widespread of criticism of Wenger amongst many Gooners has been telling and valid all summer for the first time in Wenger's largely glorious reign. However, Le Boss can only expect the criticism to increase and the noose to tighten firmly around his neck should another season of failure to win major silverware ensue.
Now I am sure that many of you will be wondering how one can so dramatically turn on Wenger after defending him so much over recent months simply because he did not make another midfield signing. The answer is straightforward- Wenger has broken his promise to us, the loyal fans.
A man always known for his enigmatic behaviour with regards to transfer activities and almost silent demeanour when chasing players, Wenger was unusually candid over the past two weeks, claiming that he would "get one or two more in", "surprise us again after signing Silvestre" and that "we are short in central midfield". This only seemed to add to the certainty that Wenger knew exactly what we needed.
Not only that, Arsenal director Danny Fiszman had come out so confidently, reporting that Wenger can buy almost anyone on the planet who may cost upto £30 million and that our financial resources were not stretched to the limit as Wenger had implied many a time recently!
This, to me, suggests one of two things: either one of the two men is lying, a crime in itself, or that Wenger is too stubborn to face the reality that we cannot win trophies and dominate teams by nurturing talented youngsters on a regular basis without true reinforcements, which requires significant investment, an even bigger crime, especially considering the pattern of events over the past three seasons.
And unless Wenger is in fact chasing Ghana captain Stephen Appiah (who has been a free agent for weeks), who has been linked with Juventus, West Ham and, unsurprisingly, Manchester City; and it is unlikely that he is after him, then I believe that we will be left in big trouble. Again!
Squad depth is not a matter of quantity, but of strength and quality. If Wenger is relying on the fact that we have Diaby, Song, Ramsey and the unknown Bischoff to cover for Denilson's absence in midfield, did he not spare a thought for Chelsea's cover of Jon Obi Mikel, a burly, tough-tackling midfielder? Or United's reserves in Carrick and Anderson? It is fair to say that, with all due respect to our aforementioned young midfielders, I know which players I'd rather bank on.
As I mentioned earlier, our current first choice midfield contains one truly world-class midfielder, two if you vouch for Nasri who already looks like a top acquisition. However, that is still not enough if you compare that to the respective first-choice midfields of United and Chelsea, all of whom fit under the world-class category.
Criticism over the lack of physical strength and depth has not just come from the fans, but from Club legends, players who you cannot argue with their due knowledge and desire for Arsenal to be successful. Wright, Merson, Smith and Vieira to name a few have all come out stating that for all Wenger's hard work in gelling a youthful team with an exciting brand of "pure" football, the lack of a backbone and true leadership will ultimately be their undoing.
No one can argue with Wenger's track record in establishing young players into world-class performers (although they have recently been transformed and then moved on to apparently "bigger clubs", another major drawback in not showing enough ambition in the transfer market).
However, with all such growing voices of concern around him, one cannot simply ignore them and foolhardily say that "Wenger knows", because to be honest, the majority are against as opposed to with Wenger as we speak today. The man once known for his "I did not see it" quips seems to have now adopted a "I do not listen" stance!
And so the jury is out for now, until our manager can get the current squad to prove its worth. And by that, I mean by winning a major trophy, NOT by enjoying seventy percent of the possession and duly stringing eighty-eight passes together to bamboozle the opposition before hitting the bar and going home from up north with a 1-1 or a 2-2.
User Comments
66jp20
Posted on 8 Sep, 2008 at 09:25 AM - Reply
i think fizzy has more chances of lying than wenger,as i've been telling give wenger this year as a a last chance,i dont think we'll screw up like last year,but if we do then we should be ooking for alternatives
i think his policy will work!
65anon
Posted on 8 Sep, 2008 at 02:10 AM - Reply
(64), I know what you mean. I am all for replacing Arsene, if there is really another manager who can bring the club to the next level - while keeping the club on a sound financial footing and willing work long term. We need a solution that really improves the club and not destroy what we already have. I think that Arsene is trying his level best and I can sense that he is frustrated with all the sugar daddy clubs popping up. I am quietly hoping for a financial meltdown so that all these sugar daddy clubs will bugger off.
64David
Posted on 7 Sep, 2008 at 11:52 AM - Reply
No 61-63, somehow I think you were both right about Wenger. But as fans, how long are you willing to wait to see us lifting another EPL trophy? another 10 years? I think most of the fans has wakened up by now, and even Wenger might wake up earlier than you (63) do. The reality is cruel, and you've seen our young star players leaving after they prosper. By the time your so-called Arsene's way succeeds in say 5 years, there will be more Man City and Chelski's in the EPL, and each year there will be only one winner. Do you have a chance by sticking to Arsene? Now Newcastle are coming...
63ayaz
Posted on 7 Sep, 2008 at 10:46 AM - Reply
you lot make me laugh, not wenger! how many asenal teams play like this. wake up people. We need to spend some money and buy some players well give me some names because it requires a special player to play in this special team and the names everyone says is rubbish because players become ovepriced and arsene will not pay wages and transfer fees if he does not think the player is worth it and that for me is fine because he is the greatest arsenal manager and if you have ever spoken to they guy he is honest and what he says makes complete sense. If the right player is available wenger will get him because arsene knows more than me and you thats why he runs this football club and runs it his way not the way media or press or me and you suggest. From wages to transfer fees to choosing a new ceo,wenger has a say and an important one. In life you dont buy for buying sake so why in football? spend some money and sign some players what a load of rubbish. At the end of the day you cant buy players who are not better than what you have already or have the potential to be better. keep the faith arsene knows! for 12 years he has done it, built beautiful teams you lot wake up.
62tinker
Posted on 6 Sep, 2008 at 05:23 PM - Reply
The threat from Villa is not real ;)Good luck this season. UTV
61anon
Posted on 6 Sep, 2008 at 02:29 PM - Reply
There has been a lot of criticisms of Wenger lately. I would like to offer some other perspective. I have been following football for a long time, and it seems to me that a lot of managers think short term, spend big to try and get instant success. So they get glory for themselves (who cares about the next manager, or the club in 10 years time), or spend and get a big name to appease the fans. They gamble and if the gamble fails , they look for another club. Do you guys still remember Leeds United? Remember how O’leary went on a spending spree, gambled for instant success, lost and Leeds are now competing in the lower leagues. Wenger I guess, could do that, spend money for the sake of appeasing fans, but to his credit he is still focus on the main objective – play attractive football AND win trophies AND ensure Arsenal FC prosper for years and years to come, even after he retires. I think the last bit if anything, shows that he cares for the club. How many mercenary managers can say the same thing.
People seem to think spending money is the only way to bring glory. I think that Arsene feels that if he gets sucked onto this path to glory, he will lose. 30 million pounds to spend? What is that compared to what Chelsea, Man U and now Man City can spend. 30 million pounds for Berbatov? Robinho? I am very sure, if Arsene spends 30 million pounds, the others will spend 60 million. Arsene has to play to his strength – and his strength is finding talent when they are still young and cheap. Lets put it this way, lets say your opponent gets a big tank, then you get a bigger tank. But then he will get an even bigger tank. But because he has more money, he will always get a tank that can pound your tank to dust. But what if you get a rocket launcher – way cheaper, and yet able to destroy the other guy’s tank. That is thinking out of the box. The bottomline is Arsenal cannot compete pound for pound, with Chelsea, Man U , Man City to buy big name players. Arsenal has to compete in another way.
Finding gems when they are young also supports the way he wants to play football. Football is a teams sports, and more so when you play the Arsenal Way, the often telepathic, attractive passing game. Arsene brings in young players not only because they are cheaper, but so that they can be trained to play the Arsenal Way from a young age. Is it any wonder that Henry and most other ex Arsene ‘s players do not play well when they go to other teams. Similarly, big name players (especially older players) may not be suitable for Arsenal. This method however is not exclusive to Arsenal. But, the attractive way that Arsenal plays, the vast scouting network and the record of developing world class players will give Arsenal the edge. Furthermore the sugar daddy clubs will more often want to buy established stars.
Of course I want Arsenal FC to prosper, and its not about loyalty to Arsene. I want Arsenal FC to play attractive football AND win trophies AND ensure Arsenal FC prosper for years and years to come. And I think Arsene is still the man for the job. In fact I am hard pressed to think of another manager to replace him.
60David
Posted on 6 Sep, 2008 at 12:37 PM - Reply
Arsene is preparing for his departure come January, because the rich Arabs in Man City will need him to help them play beautiful football and break into the Top 4. Mark Hughs is just not good enough. In today's football world, especially in EPL, a team like Arsenal can never gamble. Free of injuries? Good luck on refereeing decisions? come on you are making me laugh Wenger, with these kids and your stupid French accent, give me a break! The same history will repeat itself, see Bendtner is injured so as RVP. Adebayor has yet to improve his first touch and dribbling skills, Vela is still 30 min old in the EPL, SO we shall all pray for miracles and wish Nasri becomes our 20+ scorer. Wenger the liar!
59JuanCarlos
Posted on 6 Sep, 2008 at 12:00 PM - Reply
good article...bottom line is....we're screwed again this season....sigh
58Daniel
Posted on 5 Sep, 2008 at 05:48 PM - Reply
simple comment.. AGREED!
57crew
Posted on 4 Sep, 2008 at 02:57 AM - Reply
Absolutely right! I am disappointed to see Arsene didnt sign either Barry or Alonso. Dont be surprised that Arsenal will collapse again like the past 3 seasons.
56Leo
Posted on 4 Sep, 2008 at 01:49 AM - Reply
I hear you load and clear. I also think le boss should have bought an experienced central midfielder and a leader at that. But as a Arsenal fan you learn to have faith in your boss and altough we have not won anything in tree years, we have played amazing football. Last year people were wondering what we were going to do after our beloved titi left us but we managed and we should have won the league and in the champions league it was just bad luck, no one can argue about that. Flamini came trough no one expected that and i think denilson and ecpecially diaby can do the same thing this year.
55tigercore
Posted on 4 Sep, 2008 at 12:30 AM - Reply
it is time for wenger to go it has been for a while actually as a arsenal fan i am sick of knowing that we are never going to buy big name players and we will never have any english players because they will not want to be only english player at the club and to top it all off our captin is a man who if he was not made captin whould have left the club.
54Ibrahim Mohammed (Abuja-Nigeria)
Posted on 4 Sep, 2008 at 12:24 AM - Reply
wenger should know its not all about owners of the club making huge profit, the Fans should make huge happiness too, we can't afford another trophyless season, i couldn't help refusing buying jersey this season, cos i cant absorb jeering from rival fans again
53Carter
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:54 PM - Reply
I am tired of the false promises and the heart ache evry season. I simply cannot do it anymore and Arsene Wenger is a very stubborn chap who may find himself in deep waters this season.
52gunner des
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:23 PM - Reply
its like we all stuck on crossroads one way is saying trust wenger and onother is saying onother disapointing seasonwhen all we needed was one more experianced player.i never believed wenger wanted to bring anyone in.if he wanted anyone he would have brought him in before this last minute shopping.i love arsene and think he is a great manager and i believe in his ideology of not pumping more money into football.he has done a fantastic job at arsenal but i think we will come short and all that work down the drain all because we couldnt buy one player.i really hope he is right as i think we wont wait any longer.onother trophyless season will be too much to take.arsene will always be arsene remember the carling cup final defeat aganaist chelsea,fa defeat at man united and the carling cup defeat at spurs.we all begged him to play some of the experienced players and we got a no thank u.god be with us
51ali
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:12 PM - Reply
u dont know wat ur sain lad arsenal will win the treble wat type of fan are u i must ask i am a true gonner and denilson is fabulous we have a better midfeild than any team if rosicky comes back and if appiah comes or not it dosent matter we have a team which can win the champions league.
50The Silver Grape
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 09:23 PM - Reply
Keep cool - Arsène has a plan and Arsenal FC a business to run. Buying old and dated players for 30 million pounds demanding sky high wages - players you later can't sell - is bad for the team and bad for business. Not do we need them to help to fill up Emirates either.
So trust me, the players we have with outlast the old midfield at both Chelsea and Man U and the the 2008/2009 season will bring us silverware! And be surprised - Tomas Rosicky will be back soon and SHINE!
49Ken
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 08:47 PM - Reply
Agree completely. Only 4 words I'd like to add: kids don't win titles. And I honestly fear that our remaining truly world class midfielder will have had enough should we not win anything again this season.
48John
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 08:35 PM - Reply
How annoying are you, you've just bought in to what the media have been repeating the last 4 months about squad depth. I came here to read a different perspective, not just pessimism. I think we do need ONE more midfielder, but I dont think thats enough to write off the rest of the season already and turn full circle on Wenger and his methods.
47Lakey
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 08:33 PM - Reply
Read an article in last Saturdays Gaurdian, it explains Wenger attitude and view quite well.
Our performance against Newcastle showed we can perform like we did last season, so if we get lucky for once injuries, we can win the league.
46Vince
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 08:11 PM - Reply
The writer has said it all. Wenger is actually playing the script of his masters and there is no genuine truth regarding contesting for the silverwares.
To me, he appears to be doing more of talking (to whoever that is keen to listen)with nothing to show and does not seem to mean what he is saying. Indeed, he dwells more on history - Arsenal is 3, 4, or 5 points short of the title holders. The club has gone beyond this level. Like the writer rightly said, either the Boss or Arsenal Director Danny Fiszman is not telling the fans the whole truth.
To be precise, the issue of signing experienced players to balance the young squad did not start now. He seems to use the trick to quell tension and keep Arsenal fans hoping.
The STARK truth is that Arsenal is in the BIG 3 in the premiership and there is no PRETENCE about it. To live up to this is to be focus to unseat both Man Utd and Chelsea and NOT to go long years withot a trophy. I hope the Boss believes in this because he was quoted as saying that football is not all about winning trophy. To continually rely on his 'young team'who he cannot guarantee of keeping when they mature is fast becoming old fashion. To sum it up, the Boss appears to be a problem also.
My prayer is that Arsenal qualify for the next Champions Leaque. The threat of Liverpool,Manchester City and Aston Villa is real.
45Saaid
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 07:47 PM - Reply
Ok, an Arsenal fan can never give up hope. Now why has Wenger put so much work into nurtering young talent over the last few years only to go into the transfer market and buy a few players? I honestly think this article should have been written after the Blackburn match. Only after that will we know if Wenger will keep his promise of delivering exciting football and at the same time winning.
44Jay
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 07:37 PM - Reply
I agree with everything said and I sincerely do think Stephen Appiah would help a lot. Wenger makes us smile a bit
43JUAN LUIS SANCHEZ (PERU)
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 07:37 PM - Reply
ESPECTACULAR
IS JUST WHAT I WAS TYING TO SAY IN MY BAD ENGLISH
THANK YOU RIGHT NOW YOU TELL US THE TRUTH I THINK ITS ALL TRUE
I REALLY HOPE WE ARE WRONG
I WAS WAITING FOR ANOTHER MIDFIELDER.
42rick
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 07:33 PM - Reply
Wenger was right not to panic buy. He has never rushed into buying players and should not start now.
Why the doom and gloom, we may not of won anything for a few years, but we have always been there or ther abouts. Loosing two finals in those barren 3 years. The entertainment has been 1st class. You were right to believe in Wenger !!!!!
REMEMBER ARSENE KNOWS BEST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
41delboy
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 07:23 PM - Reply
it's because of the likes of you and your negative views that people are turning against wenger. Diaby is going to be the central mid with cesc and that could work well. Denilson, song, eboue, Ramsey how many more do you want. Did you ever think that he could'nt find someone good enough to come to arsenal or someone who would ruin team spirit like robino.( What a joke that was by the way, it must be their style of play!) Your sarcasism towards Rosicky typifies your attitude in my opinion. If your a real supporter get behind the team and stop your whinging man.
40diceman1984
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 07:04 PM - Reply
this is a break or make season for wenger and this team.
I'm always wenger's advocate, anyone who reads various arsenal blogs would know how I protect the man so much it hurts.
I know u were right there with me before this article. This article, although I don't agree with totally, its very sensible and honest. I'm furious too, but let them laugh mate, those man u and Chelsea fans, especially Chelsea's who know their club got no fucking history.
U supported him through and through for 3 lonely seasons, one more wouldnt hurt, would it?
On papers we are weak, I know.
but call me fucking too optimistic or whatever, I still believe this is our year. Under wenger, we always hit an unlucky season before going on to win big. I still believe.
Come may we ll know if my belief will be in vain or not.
39Gooner Stryker
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 06:39 PM - Reply
I agree that Wenger should have added one midfielder. In his defense he is trying to build a longterm champion. His invincibles won only two championships and did not compete well for Europe. Wenger wants to build a team like Man U did in the 90's. He is also showing fiscal restraint which is going to help in the long run. I don't want to be a fan of Leeds. Do you? The faster we pay off this debt the better. Also, wait til Chelski's Oligarch gets bored or when the Glazer's credit gets cut off. ManU and Chelsea are putting themselves into a lot of debt. We will be the beneficiaries of that.
Patience is the word. Faith in Wenger.
38Solid Snake
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 06:30 PM - Reply
i waited till around 11pm and nothing - woke up in the morning and went on arsenal.com and the major headlines were Randal and gibbs have signed new contracts!! Then i saw Man City had signed Robhino and Man u Berbatov!! the reality was that we wanted Inler but he decided to stay in italy and liverpool wanted more money for Alonso then he's actually worth!! i just hope Diaby can stay injury free and so can Rosicky when he comes back!!!
37Peter
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 06:04 PM - Reply
Disagree with your assessment for once! We have got Nasri (oustanding), Ramsey (too early of course) and Vela (could well be great) and some others. Intrigued by Silvestre and I do hope Wilshire plays in the Carling cup. Chelsea got Deco. All of our players are one year older (good for us) as they are for Chelsea (bad for them) and ManU (not so good for them). If Man C spends like Chelsea did then they will cause everybody problems. Of course I would have loved to see Viera mk II arrive at the club. It did not happen and I am sure there is a good reason. Am I worried? NO.
36Prabu
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 05:12 PM - Reply
AW,Please shut up.Who needs your opinion on this and that.Esp in CL where you are a nobody.
You have failed to answer the legitimate concerns of hundred of thousands Fans all over the world.Burning issue you are completely avoiding.You also talk about PR!
You have to come out and say NOW where we will end up come may.If we dont end up there,what PRICE ARE U WILLING TO PAY.JUST ONCE BE STRAIGHT.
35TOBI
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 05:00 PM - Reply
hitting the bar and going home from up north with a 1-1 or a 2-2.....................or even an outright 0-2 to Man-U(1 from Berba and 1 from Ronnie) or 0-3 to Man City(1 from Robinho and 1 from Robinho and 1 from Robihno). That's what we call class!
34MOLLEL
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 04:28 PM - Reply
I FEEL YOUR PAIN FELLOW GOONER!! WE SERIOUSLY NEEDED REINFORCEMENT NOW WE CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE TWO WORLD CLASS MID FIELDER'S WE HAVE DON'T GET INJURED. WE MIGHT FIND OURSELVES IN MID TABLE IF THAT HAPPENS
33You know who
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 04:27 PM - Reply
This time last year we had a wealth of centre midfielders but with Gilberto at the Copa America there was no obvious choice to partner Cesc. Who would have thought Flamini, the versatile utility player would have stepped up and along with Cesc formed one of the most formidable midfield partnerships in the world. My arguement is that with denilson, diaby, song and even the likes of bischoff, ramsey and coquelin, Wenger sees them everyday in training and knows exactly how well equiped each one is to step up to the job. If he didn't think any of them were upto the job and there was someone on the market that he felt was, he would have bought that player. The board nor Wenger have ever stated that we do not have the funds. The reason we did not buy is a combination of the factors of Wenger believing that one member of our squad has the ability to be the flamini of this season and nobody on the transfer market having the same pedigree for their value.
32AbujaGunner
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 03:19 PM - Reply
I agree completely...but the remainder of my optimism tells me that Wenger will certainly buy in the January window. You will see an Arsenal trying to keep pace with the rest of the pack and then may be spring a surprise in the January transfer window to give that depth and extra needed for a challenge. I only hope that we are gonna be still in contention by January!!
31Rich Crawley
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 03:15 PM - Reply
Asser mate, I agree with what you're saying to an extent. We do only have one true 'world class' midfielder in Cesc (who is still only 21 remember), but do really need another so desperately? I still feel that we have a number of players who can step into that role to partner him, with Diaby and Denilson leading the chasing pack. It is that time again for one of our young players to step up and say 'It's mine', much like a relatively-unknown Cesc Fabregas did 3 years ago when Vieira left. Surely that didn't turn out badly did it? The acquisition of another midfielder would push them all further down the pecking order, and not getting first team football, another 'Bentley-esque' situation would arrise. I still support Wenger's descision making, though I agree, if we don't push all the way for silverware, he'll need to start making more quality signings to keep us all happy.
30Babba Deo
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 02:53 PM - Reply
Am really dissapointed because l was hoping that we could get someone at the 11 hour but it never happened and l asked myself can we really compete indepthly with the top four interm of players avalaible now and to be realistic and truthful to myself the answer is No! we can and doubt it if we can make the top 4 this season and that would be a big blow to the loyal fans of Arsenal.
Am not really happy sincerely, am emotional addicted to Arsenal and l cant stand us been humiliated this season. Expect a Miracle happens but l believe the time can stand its own if they really blend together but to me its a Big risk and we cant be taking risk all the time and this particular gamble is not sure l most confess! but if by chance we manage to survive the top 4 till January if l strongly doubt. l obliged Wenger to get some exprience this time around not youngster. we have more than enough.
l wish that we wont be disgraced!!!!
29elninio
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 02:37 PM - Reply
We are not strong enough to sustain a challenge in the PL. If however, we win a major this season I will happily eat humble pie and ask for seconds. We were not far off last season but as you say in this excellent piece... I would gladly take the ugly 0-1 away wins but we need serious steel to give us a chance of keeping that clean sheet. We dont have that steel. Still, prove me and my humble opinion wrong and I will bow to thee!!!
28Gunner whose gonna die
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 02:36 PM - Reply
We are not finishing top 4 this time round!
27josephs
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 02:25 PM - Reply
A naked truth, that stubborn man is discouraging the loyal fans and making us ridiculous. Does he remember the recent Fulham match?
26simon
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 02:06 PM - Reply
we are skint, Gilberto, Senderous, Diara, and Flamini Heleb will confirm. Nasri came in because his wages are 30k, Heleb wanted 80k that is why he went. Nasri is young we can sell him in 3 years and get our money back just like Heleb
The stadium is killing us and top 4 this year will be a big ask and next year with city bristling with new players will be very difficult to maintain Champions League football, we need a sugar daddy fast
25thunderstorm
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 02:03 PM - Reply
it is sad when Wenger promised to sign a midfielder but end up signed a defender. the main reason Arsenal was strong, invincible last time is because of the strong midfield. our midfielder create chances and closing down perfectly to ensure that others cannot bullied us but now it seems like our midfielder are being bullied by the others. i just hoping that this year, without 3 maestro in midfield we could hold the opposition attack and create more and score more than last year..
24mr t
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 01:59 PM - Reply
i think you will eat your words if we keep wining and top the league by dec
23A disgusted fan!
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 01:50 PM - Reply
Im soooooo dissapointed with mr wenger, because he has lied to me as an arsenal fan! Too many fans over the years has become a arsen wenger fan n nt a arsenal fan...and are blinded with his words and cant see what is happining to our club. No human is bigger than Arsenal FC....so unless I see trophys this year, something will have to change...either the chairman to be replaced with someone that has more money to help us! or a manager that aint so tight and sceard to spend a bit of money to bring in guys so we dont have to play eboue CM!
I am absoulty disgusted with what i have seen happen to my club!
22G
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 01:41 PM - Reply
i have always said that wenger is arsenal problem
21HH
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 01:34 PM - Reply
I agree with everything stated in this article. It's almost like reading my own thoughts.
20Jay
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 01:23 PM - Reply
This time last year I was quietly confident but this year I am horrified.
A club should never rely on one player the way we are going to be this year,
if Fabregas gets injured for a month or two we won't be worrying about whether we can win the league but whether we can make it into the uefa cup or not
19Dan
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 01:16 PM - Reply
What a shockingly bad article - ill-informed and typical of a band-waggon fan. If you don't like it get off the band-waggon and go support Chelsea. Or better still Tottenham have spent lots of money - go and support them.
What do you want Wenger to do? Would you have been happier if he'd blown £20m on Gareth Barry? Sometimes you have to accept the players you want are not available at the price you're willing to pay. This isn't Championship Manager afterall.
I have faith in Wenger's perusing the market and seeing the cost of buying someone better than Diaby and Denilson as too much for him.
18Hericoni (Nigeria)
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 01:07 PM - Reply
Well said. I am one of Wenger's faithfuls but to be honest, he broke my heart with his too stubborn & over confidence attitude. Well, the transfer window is shut now & there's nothing we can do about it so, lets get on with the game & keep our support for the team (who knows if they are more determined to surprise us,they read stuff written about them & they are not happy been called second class). Seriously, something in me keeps telling me that Wenger's broken words this season might be due to the board. Maybe there is something happening that they are keeping away from us. Maybe the board is just taking us for a ride or maybe Wenger wants to live in the world of his own...we will never know. But whichever reason, I can only hope things won't backfire on him because he is at the center of every blame & also hope the lads will carry him this time because am not sure we fans can stand another trophy less season. Not signing big name players is not actually my problem but losing your well trained & tutored young lads to so called big clubs after they've become stars. That is total lack of focus because when will Arsenal be a team if this keeps happening? That is why am furious with him for losing Flamini & Hleb. My fear now is Fabrigas. What happens if we keep playing the baby club till next season? Then Madrid or maybe Man City by then will snap him up. Dear Lord, please don't let this happen...please......
17Jacob Bandur
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:52 PM - Reply
arsenal need to get rid of arsene wenger to win some trophies, unless he starts spending some money on big players. at the moment we can't compete with Chelsea and Man utd. I don't see us winning a trophy this year
16kenneth
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:40 PM - Reply
Arsenal fans r the most loyal and steadfast supporters in the premiership. Mr. Wenger should br the first to acknowledge that. We don’t undermine what wenger has done, but in the same vein, we can't be too less ambitious to allow him to destroy what this club has built for centuries including his (mr wenger) contributions. As a case in point, even clubs with less prestige will not tolerate wenger this far. For instance, it took Sir Alex seasons to land his first league title for Man U in 92/93 season and later went on to becoming their greatest and most successful manager.
Now ask yourself, can man u fans ever condone their manager if he happens to go four years without a trophy? Mr wenger should know that the profit making shareholders r not the heart of the club but the fans. They've made their money, but we need trophies.
i think this may be wenger's make or break season. He could face the greatest revolt from fans if we end this season empty handed.
15Fireblade Living in NZ
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:35 PM - Reply
Are you serious?
Wenger is the finest Arsenal manager we have ever seen and will see, he brings football never seen before to our shores. Ok so we have not seen any silver ware for a couple of seasons, so bloody what!!! I live to see the football the team produces and the entertainment they give, if we get silverware on route then great, if not it was a pleasure watching it. People forget silverware but even none Arsenal fans are admiring the footy we produce with our teenager squad! We do not want to end up like Leeds do we, they played some good footy but look at them now!!
Trust SIR Wenger (you heard it here first well if Almunia can play for England, why can't they knight a frenchman, Fergy is scots LOL)
Lets see how the season pans out and I will wager than Man city can spend as much as they want it still will not bring them the champs or top 4!!Don't knock him till the end of the season, there is another transfer window if he needs it, its obvious he either does not at the moment or could not buy who he wanted and did not want to buy just anyone to make up the numbers and increase the wage bill.
Wenger is a great if not the greatest Manager we have seen and equally I would say a great Businessman!!!!
14Chimango in Leicester
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:35 PM - Reply
Wenger is a liar, so is Danny Fiszman. They lie through their teeth. They take the fans for granted. This team is not going to win anything. I don't see them winning anything at all. Another year of frustration! I too waited until mid-night hoping for a signing and nothing happened. I think we are watching the apocalypse of a club. This could have been comedic were it not for the cold, deadly way Wenger is going about it. There is an almost purposeful manner in which Wenger is moving the team away from competition to mediocrity.
13Roman
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:23 PM - Reply
I think you are absolutely right, he has dissapointed the fans. he should be more reliable to us on his comments to the press.
12kwaku
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:11 PM - Reply
i think i agree totally with this author. sometimes i wonder why after arsene wenger's unwillingness to listen, i still have great love for this club. of course, there is no turning back for me, so so sad. i have said before, and i would go on to repeat it again that arsenal is not winning a trophy this season again. nobody should be deceived,that would be a wishful thinking. the fact that we won at home to newcattle does not make us title contenders and it is something all like-minded arsenal fans should know and understand. i hope we would one day get a manager who would listen to the plight of fans as well and not just serve his interest and that of the management just for the purpose of protecting his job.
Gooner4Life
11Subh
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:07 PM - Reply
I agree with Joe. I think this man writes sensibly. howevr; we all should know that Wenger does whatever he is contained with in terms of MONEY. Whatever someone says, I know it for sure that Arsenal do not have money. Finance is my career. And hence Wenger just cannot pay the money people want. Anyway ROBINHO is not worth 32m. But I think we will again be at 4th come May. May be quarters in CL and noweher in Carling and FA.
10adewale
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:03 PM - Reply
i strongly support the writer above, asene wenger should know that arsenal is a world class club and not for british people alone, people around the world love arsenal expecially in my country nigeria, i'm an arsenal fan and i will always be for the rest of my life.......
asene wenger should buy players that will make us happy. then, will have the likes of viera, ovamas,wright,kanu,adams,anelka,henry,cambell and the rest of them and arsenal were doing very very very well then winning titles.
we cant afford to go another thophyless season.
thank you....
9Kevin
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 12:01 PM - Reply
I just like to say, what you just wrote is exactly what ive been saying, the only differents is that ive been saying this about le Boss for the past 2years.....great article by the way. Whenever I talk about Wenger I get told to shut up and stop being so negative......yeah ok. WENGER KNOWS???? I dont think he does anymore
8cuban
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:56 AM - Reply
ok..your opinion..now mine...bullshit, he didn´t lie to fans...he said he will buy player if he will find anyone suitable for us..obviously he didn´t so what? i believe we have enough and quality options in our midfield...our midfielders central midfielders cesc,denilson,diaby,song are not any worse than scholes,anderson,hargreaves and carrick...if you look at united right now they have no midfield..what their midfield did againts zenit? or even pompey or toon? nothing or how awfull looked chelsea midfield without ballack againts tottenham? and ballack,hargreaves,carrick for example are as injury prone as for example diaby, and as you said we can still bring appiah, we have squad as good as any top 4 premier league side
7hairygooner
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:51 AM - Reply
got to agree with these comments. Le Prof is showing to be a typical stubbon Frenchman. I understand he sees his squad day in and day out but ffs can't he see that our season will be over if God forbid anything happens to Cesc? Wenger should stop bury his head in the sand and should have gone out and bought a quality midfielder and central defender for NOW, not two or three years down the line. Things change very quickly in football. Two words: LEEDS and UNITED.
Don't let this be your legacy Arsene as being remembered as the man who wouldn't rather than the man who did.
6ugoo
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:39 AM - Reply
i think its time wenger wakes up 2 the fact that modern football involves financial investment and for arsenal to present a real challenge for trophies, he has 2 spend some money. manchester united after a sussessful season last season and a truly formidable team splashed some cash, how much more a young, comparatively inexperienced team like arsenal.. yes he's a great coach with a real affinity for developing talents but he needs to realise that beautiful football will even be more beautiful with trophies....
5maya
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:32 AM - Reply
This is harsh. Simply harsh. It seem only one thing, Denilson is getting better as well as Somg and Wenger can't bring himself to kill this two young players opportunity to shine.
4Mickey
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:23 AM - Reply
I hate to say it, but I reckon you're right. And I too have been a staunch supporter of The Great Man these last few years, in the face of increasingly stinging barbs from rival supporters. Indeed I can empathise with how much it must have pained you to write the article.
But when you look at the squad, it seems so glaringly obvious that there's a gaping hole in the defensive midfield area that it's almost like watching a team line up with out a goalkeeper. I just cannot believe that AW was unable to find a suitable replacement. I personally would have been in for Gareth Barry when it became clear that he wanted out of Villa, regardless of cost. But whoever - there must have been some player they could have got to the job.
I hate the spend spend spend culture of the other top clubs and of course I love our kids, but there comes a time when you have to put in to the kitty to stay in the game. Worryingly It looks like AW just sat on his cards.Prove me wrong Arsene. Please.
3PHADER
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:17 AM - Reply
WHERE DO U PEOPLE SEE ARSENAL IN 3 YEARS TIME...
REMEMBER MAN CITY ARE GOING TO BREAK INTO THE TOP 4 NEXT SEASON WHICH IN A CERTAINTY....
UNLESS WE BUY PLAYERS WHERE DOES EVERYONE THINK WE WILL FINISH??UEFA CUP FOOTBALL??
2Mark Nk
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 11:04 AM - Reply
Wenger will surprise us all. Just look at the way we played against Newcastle. The team is upto scratch and will win trophies this season. Trust Wenger. The attacking style of football will surely put our opponents on their back foot - and once Van Persie improves on his goal scoring, we shall be home and dry!!!!
1Arsene Knows
Posted on 3 Sep, 2008 at 10:43 AM - Reply
What do you expect? 32 million for alonso? And now rumours are surfacing that the world's 7th richest person is aiming for Liverpool. Since when will we accept that we need to change strategy, an the strategy came along with the risk that the youngsters may not perform to expectation. And that Song is not world class? Denilson? how many chances have they played in defensive mid? We forget that Flamini ONLY came to age at the last year in his contract....there are those of us who are wishing for his departure and end up eating our words. Arsene Knows.
© 2000-2010 Arsenal Mania. All rights reserved. Site developed by Chongster. Page processed in 0.02 seconds.
