Are mistakes about to be repeated?

In the summer of 2007, Arsenal entered the new season with seven central midfielders. By the start of the 2008/2009 season, they were down to four, with experience, talent and desire all walking out the door. Is the same about the happen to the centre of defence? And at what cost?

Kolo Touré is being heavily linked with a move to Manchester City, a team who have to be acknowledged now as our main rivals for the fourth Champion's League slot in the Premier League. Having already sold them Adebayor, this is another move which would weaken our first team while strengthening City's, effectively handing them a much better chance to beat us at qualifying for the 2010/2011 Champion's League. I can't help but look at this situation and see disaster looming. Again.

In the summer of 2007, we had an assortment of central midfielders including one who was indispensible, three experienced partners and three young players looking to break through. Fabregas was the indispensible. He's still here. Lassana Diarra, the newest experienced recruit, was allowed to leave after six months when he was upset about not playing every single game as soon as he arrived. Gilberto, the experienced old hand who had provided years of solid defensive play and stability, was sold per his request in the summer of 2008 as he had a longer contract on the table elsewhere. Mathieu Flamini, an exciting player who many fans watched grow through the 07/08 season into a central midfielder of real class, a reminder of Ray Parlour's tireless energy and willingness to work for the cause, also left when his contract was allowed to run down. Three experienced partners for our creative, central midfield dynamo upped sticks and moved out. And what did Arsène Wenger do? He signed nobody but an even younger player than those in waiting - Aaron Ramsey - and "kept the faith" with a group of unproven, young players who had done nothing to deserve the first team slots they were about to be handed.

I'm sure all Arsenal fans remember this, it's a disaster we're still recovering from today, a time when the majority of Arsenal fans are still asking for a central midfield signing, appeals that have (as yet) gone unanswered. By leaving that second midfield slot in the hands of three unprovens, Wenger wasted a full season trying out various combinations, and as yet has still to come up with a definitive answer that doesn't involve the word "transfer" - something he still refuses to consider (and, to note, moves for Xabi Alonso last year and Melo this do not count as consideration, you actually have to be willing to pay for it to be consideration). And, much as I don't want to be bringer of bad news (I'd much rather be writing about several major signings) I have to say, Arsenal look ready to repeat this serious and damaging mistake in the centre of defence. Looking at this from the outside, the situation could be infinitely more damaging than that of central midfield, if only because there is no "indispensible" player in this position. Not anymore.

If we were to compare the two situations, new signing Thomas Vermaelen is the Cesc-style "indispensible" - the one player who is likely to start both this and next season still here. Touré is Diarra - most likely to leave now; and Gallas is Flamini - most likely to leave at the end of the forthcoming season, when his contract expires. I know the timetables on both their time at the club and their exact leaving dates are off, but the situation remains the same. The only other players in this position are Djourou, an as yet unproven young player, Senderos, who cannot be trusted in the biggest games, and Silvestre, a Manchester United cast-off who most Arsenal fans still wouldn't trust to carry out the trash. If both Gallas and Touré leave, likely without replacement given Arsène Wenger's previous enjoyment and stubborn pursuit of the idea, suddenly the Arsenal team is left very light in the centre of defence with only unprovens and youth to rely on.

Now, Vermaelen may be God's gift to defensive football, I don't know. And the fact is, a majority of Arsenal fans don't know either. That doesn't mean we were not pleased by his signing, which given the fee is expected to prove both useful and valuable, but it just means we're not able to pin down with any great accuracy what Thomas Vermaelen will be for Arsenal, what type of defender he is, what his main attributes are, or even how tall he is... This uncertainty made me glad (at the time) that we were keeping both Gallas and Touré. Introducing a third, quality defender into the mix was just the type of shake-up I felt the defence needed, but by retaining the original pair, the club placed less pressure on the new signing to adapt to English football immediately. Instead, we could still rely on last season's choice pair while the new-boy adapted to English football. Touré's sale (pending it going through) will change all of that, forcing Vermaelen to start the new season first choice and adapt immediately or let the team down. It's a risk that, in my opinion, the manager shouldn't be taking.

That's not to say there aren't challenges with Touré and Gallas. Never the strongest centre back partnership, their years together at Arsenal have been marked by arguments, Gallas's problems with the captaincy, and a similarity in their defensive styles which some fans still fear means they cannot play together and remain effective. While it is pretty certain that Gallas will still be at the club for the upcoming season - he's made one of those public statements that have become all the rage with players who are definitely staying - Touré's future is much less certain, and made all the more obvious by the lack of aforementioned public statement regarding his own future. The silence, in his case, is deafening. In addition, while it's certain that Gallas's contract runs out in the summer 2010, there is a lot less certainty about when Touré's contract expires as he signed a "long-term" contract in 2006 which, if it only lasts four years, will see his contract also up in summer 2010, thus making £14m a good return for him, though perhaps not at the best time. The obvious answer would be to buy another centre back - Hangeland comes to mind - but that's an answer I fear is not in Arsène Wenger's dictionary, especially now people know he has money to spend.

So there we go. It looks like they're off. One now, one next summer. Vermaelen came in, much as Nasri did last summer, and was thought to be a squad addition. Now he looks like a replacement at best, just as Nasri was for Hleb. I wish him luck, truly I do. For many eyes will now be on him. Pressure is inevitable when you join the Arsenal first team. Expectations may not be quite as high as they were five years ago, reduced somewhat by four years of no trophies, but if he is to be first choice, then he will have to adapt quickly and well, and for that, I wish him a lot of luck.

To Arsène Wenger, if this is your intent and your summer signings are over, I worry for you. I worry about your dreams for your team, which are unfortunately not backed by the squad you keep selling more of; I worry about your ability to keep your job, given the lack of quality depth in the squad which will probably - again - not deliver trophies; and I worry about your legacy at the club. It is unfortunate that you arrived and set the bar so high. Financial circumstances may have constrained you, I have no idea. But in any summer where Arsenal Football Club (pending the Touré sale) earn £40m or more from selling important first team players and only purchase one replacement for £10m, I must ask: can the short-term bank balance really be that significant? Yes, financial prudence is important. But that prudence must be considered in both the short and the long-term. You can only make so much money off a declining product (brutal terms, but that's what Arsenal is in its simplest form) before some people stop buying. There has to be a balance between investment to sustain quality, and prudence to ensure financial stability.

The defence looks like an upcoming problem. Investment could fix it. I know it, and so do most Arsenal fans. But then hey, investment could've solved the centre of midfield last season. I knew it, and so did most Arsenal fans. This moment is crucial, just as the upcoming season is crucial, and for that reason I hope Arsène Wenger grows a pair and buys a few players (not just a defender either, but also a midfielder and probably a striker). To not do so because he's "keeping the faith" and "trusting in youth" and whatever other standard phrases he has, and then parade such lax behaviour at the end of another trophyless season as an excuse for said trophyless season, will not be tolerated by fans who are already tired of his excuses. Especially if City take the players we sell them and take the fourth Champion's League slot.

My heart hopes he invests. My head says he won't. And for that reason I'm very worried.

User Comments

Moiz

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 02:58 PM - Reply

I believe we must keep faith in our team and our manager. We need to understand that we can not compete with our peers by the pecuniary forces, they are much potent with billionaires at their back. The only way we can achieve something is the Wenger's way. Just imagine if we win what we want to, even after having so much money from the players we sold. Many people betting against us to win, when we prove them wrong then that victory will be much more bigger than all the trophies that Manu, Chelsea and Liverpool could manage to win in last 4 years. That victory will give the players the confidence which I believe is the only thing thats missing in our team and it will create a team which might become invincible in the years to come. As far as departure Ade was concerned it was a good deal for Arsenal. Toure was my favorite but not bigger than team. I think one or 2 addition in CM and some good luck this season (remember we were always short on luck in previous 2 seasons) I am sure we might be able to surprise many and win at least one silverware this season.

needtorewardloyaltynotcashin

Posted on 30 Jul, 2009 at 01:07 PM - Reply

What is going on? Toure is a great defender Arsene should have fought to keep him, why do we sell our best players every season ? Why are we hoping for fourth spot when we should be challenging for the title?
If Arsene doesnt buy proven good quality players (especially a defensive midfielder)soon then i fear arsenal are to become afeeder club great for business stats but terrible for the club. Every year there is talk of Arsenal needing experienced players yet instead of investing in some we sell the most experienced players it just doesnt make sense. I really hope i am proven wrong and will gladly eat my words if so.

Big T

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 10:41 PM - Reply

Wenger is a legend. An icon of our club. Although I do agree with some comments made here I think some of the fans impatience from last season will implode into the beginning of the new season, tarnishing this status and forcing him out of the door early. If this happens (which I hope does not) the blame cannot be solely pointed at him - our board of directors should hold equal if not more responsibility.

Toure and Ade had average seasons last year and £40m for these two is good business for the club - however at what expense? No other top 4 team sell their players directly to the benefit of rivals (I count Silvestre as being the opposite of beneficial) and Man City can now been seen as a serious challenger to our top 4 status.

The next 2 weeks in the transfer market are critical in determining this seasons success, and consequently Wenger's future at his adopted club.

I do suspect the board have a mighty influence on Wenger's activity in the market and have restricted him in terms of the amount of money available - although they will never come out and say this.

What is frustrating is Hillwoods comments during last season were he stated transfer kitty of £40m was available to Wenger if needed - instead Wenger has had to raise this £40m himself, although expect the board not to make this all available to him - what do we expect as they are shareholders and want a return on their investment. For this reason I wholly believe that the fans frustration should be directed at the board and not Wenger for the lack of transfer activity this summer and if the squad does not deliver in the new season.

Only Wenger knows the amount of money he has available to bring in new faces to the club, I can no more than 1-2 signings. We have plenty of attacking options and so defensive priorities are a must - whether Wenger can get this right is another matter. He can not rely on young and inexperienced players to fill these gaps. In order to push this team forward, players of proven ability and experience are required to fill in these gaping holes in the squad.

If Wenger he hasn't got the money available to spend on the 2 high quality signings - then moves for our former invincible's 'Vieira and Campbell' wouldn't be a bad idea - experience and leadership the team so desperately need. In Wenger I trust. We should all trust.

nicholas mccoy from Nigeria

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 06:55 PM - Reply

WE ARSENAL IN NIGERIA WE NEED ARSENE WENGER TO BUY GOOD PLAYERS SUCH AS HUNTELER AND CHAMACK AND OBAFEMI MARTINS IN ARSENAL AND SOME DEFENDERS WITH WINGER TO SUPPORT ARSHVIN.WE CANT PREDICT ROSICKY COMING BACK AND NASIR HAVING INJURY FOR SOME MONTH I WILL LIKE ARSENALS OFFICERS OR SHARE HOLDER TO GIVE THE COACH SOME FUNDS WITH THE ADDITIONAL OF ADEBAYOR AND KOLO TOURE PLEASE KINDLY LET THE COACH TO SEE THESE MESSAGE IS VERY IMPORTANT WE(FANS)IN NIGERIA WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT ON GOING TRANSFER WHICH I THINK ARSENAL IS BEHIND OTHER CLUBS PLEASE SIR DO SOMETHING BEFORE IS TOO LATE.THANKS FROM
NICHOLAS MCCOY.

goonerallover

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 05:30 PM - Reply

I agree with big dave and little tim, £16 mil for toure is good business. He only had one year left on his contract and would not have signed a contract extension. I am a firm believer, the second a player expreses a desire to leave, show them the door.
There is a long time left in the transfer window and we all know le boss loves to leave it to the last minute.
All you non believers, at least show some faith in your manager until the start of the season when we know the squad we will have for the year. Get behind your team and manager and stop complaining.
Arsenal operate on a fraction of the cost that all the other 'top four clubs' do, you cant expect the board to put us into huge amounts of debt, Arsenal FC is a business remember that.
No wonder arsenal fans have a reputation for being complainers, listening to you lot winge I can see where we get that name.....

lamzo

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 03:39 PM - Reply

I agree with the writer a 110%, wenger needs to buy a DM (gokhan inler),CB (Brede Hangeland),ST (Klass Huntelar) without buying new exp. players we cannot stand a chance keeping 4th spot no doubt a few injuries and we are out of it.

clyde

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 03:12 PM - Reply

Time to say goobye to Arsene

time2waste

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 02:15 PM - Reply

kenya must be getting sad by the time next session arrives we may not even field one African in our arsenal team!? seriously?...an if u do regret supporting da gunners, an if its silverware u grave so much i believe there is a town up north that feels it can buy it next session so y not sell your arsenal shirt an let me point u in the right direction...

Janne

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 02:12 PM - Reply

Some people need to get a grip, Toure may have been one of our great soldiers over the years and a model professional, yes. But in the last 2 seasons he's been a liability with little to no real sign of returning to form. The only reason Hughes wants him is desperation on Man City's part.
I know it sounds disrespectful but I'd say it makes more sense to cash in while we can, with Djourou now pushing for his place and Vermaelen coming in.

Toyex

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 01:52 PM - Reply

It is amazing how we fans seem to know better than somebody that has been picking a team for decades.
I believe Arsene is working within his means and please dont forget that he made FLamini who he is today.If Arsene did not tell him to hold on and fight for his contract would AC have been the team to buy him?

Merlin-London

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 01:39 PM - Reply

Let's face it, this is a meltdown! We are witnessing a glorious team shrivel and die before our very eyes!!!! This is Leeds United all over again!

Gilboy

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 01:28 PM - Reply

Toure needs to go there is no doubt about it, we all know he does not get on with gallas and this does affect there performances on the pitch, even though they say otherwise. 16m is a lot for a 29yr old defender with poor performances in recent times! he has to cash in and invest. if this money is not invested in players like hanngeland we will struggle!

Wayne Millar

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 12:28 PM - Reply

Dont care what everyone thinks, if we dont spend to bring in big players other will follow(fabregas,van persie and arshavin).
Hangelannd, Vieria for a season, Huntelaar,if cant get him i would like Klose.
Also id like Fernandinho from Shakhtar.Senna as well.
Its about time arsenal spend otherwise we wont be in the big 4 and will sink.

Disillusioned Gooner

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 11:33 AM - Reply

Some of the comments here state Toure is no longer at his best & should be sold, economically this might make some sense, but then money doesn't play football. Can anyone tell us who in the defense is presently at their best? Vermaelen is at present an unknown, Djourou & Senderos are not ready (God knows when they will be, Gallas is an unreliable prima dona, and as for Silvestre, that shareholder said it all at the last Q & A.
In The last 2 or 3 seasons Toure has been the only Arsenal centre back capable of making daring charging runs from the back, putting in some impressive dribbling along the way and its a big shame some team mates were not taking up great positions or making the right kind of runs to take advantage of his runs (I remember his goal vs Liverpool during our 1st season at the Emirates). Toure is one of the invincibles and should be kept as part of the experience on the team, however AW 'knows' and may well decide to sell him; If this happens I hope it doesn't come back to bite us 'cos for now I am optimistic about the coming season.

Leruo

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 11:32 AM - Reply

I understand the concern, but honestly, I think its time Senderos and Djorou step into the shoes. They have been trained long enough. Cant we leave things as they are until the January transfer. We cant have five central defenders. I think we need a rtght winger more, to keep pressure on Walcot. Diaby, Song, Denilson and Cesc, would for me handle the mid field quite well. They deftnatly are of age now. Not forgetting Wilshere and Ramsy. They will do good. Keep the faith

Groundsman

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:45 AM - Reply

Right about now we are facing a situation where we are sinking into the doldrums of mid table obscurity. Worse still, this great club could be facing relegation at the end of next season if we do not make it to the champions league. ALL our players worth anything will leave at a pittance. Furthermore, when did just reaching the champions league become our prime target. What happened to challenging for the title. Looking at this critically i just can't tell the difference between Arsenal and other mid-table sides like spurs, villa and everton. This may be the last season that many arsenal fans remain arsenal fans.

sam

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 09:32 AM - Reply

well said mate, i agree with you 100%.

Dean Hankins

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 08:50 AM - Reply

How can the board justice that in a recent survey we pay the higgest ticket price in the country to watch what??
The 4th best team. Kolo unlike Adebayor will move on with the blessing of Arsenal fans and I for one would like to thank him for that. The fee is good do not get me wrong but how can you replace the guys passion, desire and most important thing we lack EXPERIENCE!!!. I went on a lot of long trips last season, newacstle, boro, sunderland wigan but to name a few and its always kolo getting the fans going. In my eyes he should of actually been handed the captaincy. Enough for him anyway.
As much as i hate to say it fergie was right we will win nothing with kids- wenger take note. The biggest and most worrying thing here is we are likely to probably only strengthern at most with one extra player. Rememeber before the start of this transfer window Wenger said we would make and i qoute 'at least 2 signings' ok so time is still there and we were also meant have 25 mil for transfers so we have 15 left over from the Vermalen deal which leaves now 55million to play with I dont want hear his useless rubbish that we dont have the money anymore the fans are fed up and board why can u not see this.
I still belive the problem lives in one area why why why why why did we let david dein go????????????????????????????????

Addisuw

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 08:21 AM - Reply

What is happening? Why do Wenger need to sell, he has his pocket full of money to buy best player with Adebayor's money! Come on man just don't sell and start buying!!!!!

Darius Stone

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 07:53 AM - Reply

This is a very negative and poorly thought out article.

This is the same group of fans that have been screaming for Wenger to strengthen the squad and don't seem to understand that strenthening sometimes means letting people go. Kolo has done his time for Arsenal and it's OK if he moves on.

What's even more sad for me is the panic being shown here and on the blogosphere about Arsenal falling to bits, yet Wenger hasn't even received the cheque.

There's 33 days to go before the end of the transfer window - folks should just get a grip of themselves already. For Arsenal to buy new players (and there most certainly won't be more than 3 of them as Wenger has never bought more than 3 players in one transfer window), we need to sell players.

Frankly speaking, selling Kolo for £15 million after buying him for £150,000 and 7 years of solid service is a damn good piece of business. Let the Ivorian go and set up his retirement fund - he's earned it.

And what's this nonsense about Man City threatening Arsena'ls champions league hopes. Any threat they supposedly pose will also apply to Manpoo, Liverpoo and the Chavs.

This blog post is so depressing it pisses me off.

vilo_in

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 07:15 AM - Reply

I think its a fantastic piece of business. Toure and Gallas cannot play well together and neither of them will sit on the bench either. Between the two of them, Gallas is a better defender hands on. We all saw what happened once he got injured, Toure is a good defender, but cannot organise the defence as Gallas does. We need a big ball winner playing next to Gallas and for that we need money, which we now have with toure's sale. From the rumours we seem to have made a bid for Hangelland for around 15m.
About the price, 15m is great money for a defender who the club doesnt want in the first place. So, if we buy Hangelland, we have him, Gallas, Vermaelen, Djourou, Silvestre, Senderos(if we dont sell him) and Song(if need be) which in my opinion is enough depth and certainly better than last year.

Johan

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 06:50 AM - Reply

I don't really care about Eboué or Senderos leaving, but Touré is another issue.
I'm not sure that he is the best defender to start all our games, but like you say Vermaelen is probable not ready to be our starter at least not this season. Also, I'd like to point out that competition for places is a good thing! seven players for two positions is perhaps not ideal but it would mean that the players would have to work really hard every week to get that starting place. Also experience is equally important, Toure and Gallas are after all experienced and they know each other, now! that is important in big games. But I guess Wenger has a better understanding of this than I do, I just hope that the money won't go to the board room. Wenger himself identified himself the lack of depth and now we've signed one and probably sold four, in my book that's not adding, that's losing players and depth!

gunner4lyfe

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 03:41 AM - Reply

wenger has a plan up his sleeve that will shock alot of the doubters. IN ARSENE I TRUST

Digo

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 03:27 AM - Reply

Looks like our fans are confirming our infamous reputation as the worst knowledgable fans of all the top 4 clubs. Titles and competitions are not won in the transfer market, they are won on the field. There is still time for the transfer market to close, and we have cash from Ade sale and probably will have more cash with the sales of Kolo and Eboue. I personally believe that we are in the market for a DM and if Eboue goes, a replacement for him. And of course, our manager is not going to shout from the roof tops that we are doing that. He has never done that before and he is never gonna do that just bcos some inconsequential bloggers have developed itchy feet over his transfer dealings. I donno why our fans are such pathetic panic merchants and so bloody negative.

Have anyone noticed Kolo's performances over the last 2 years, people saying that he was our best defender should get their eyes and brains checked. He was one of our weakest links. Of course, he was a great for us, loyal, gooner through and through. But 15 million for a 28-year-old who is not exactly in the form of his life is rather good business, dont forget that!!!

Cyril

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 02:03 AM - Reply

To be honest, I'm not seeing the problem in central defence. The reality is that central defence isn't a position which you keep rotating players through. It's a position where you stick with a pair of players, and only make a change where you're absolutely certain that the potential disruption will cause less damage than leaving a player in who's been out-of-form.

If one of Gallas and Vermaelen has a rough patch, then Song can move back to his natural position of centre-back, or Wenger might want to blood Djourou. There's also Silvestre, although I know that Arsenal fans in general don't have much faith in him. The bottom line is that there's a good reason - in terms of the team balance - why Senderos was sent on loan last season: he just wasn't required as back-up. If, later on, Gallas wants to move or Vermaelen doesn't turn out to be a good investment, then Wenger can make a move in January or next year: bringing in a new central defender isn't something that he really needs to do right now.

The most important question associated with Touré's departure relates to the effect on the team; in terms of losing an experienced player who played a leadership role at the club.

goonertid

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 01:37 AM - Reply

This is a joke wenger is practically putting our top four spot on a plate and waitoring itt himself to man city. hes destroying our club, it all goes down from here if he doesnt spend, he is just unbelievably stubborn. Dont get me wrong i will stick with this club through thick and thin although there is a plus side because come next season atleast we will have some silverware i mean the uefa cup cant be that hard to win can it ?

Gunner from Miami

Posted on 29 Jul, 2009 at 12:37 AM - Reply

Finally someone is talking the truth. I began supporting this team several years ago becuase of their style of play and the beauty of the game they played. They had players out on the field who would fight and take the bull by the horns when needed. This is not the same team I started to support to support several years ago. Wenger is failing us and anything short of an FA Cup, Premier League or Champions League willbe a disappointment. Is his ego really this big or does the team not want to spend? What is the truth? We are going to suck and be a mid-league team within the next year or two. I'm fed up and hope I'm wrong.

gunner4lyfe

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 11:51 PM - Reply

IN ARSENE I TRUST.

redjellydonut

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 11:43 PM - Reply

Adebayor was toxic in the locker room. He's talented but lazy and played like he didn't care last season. He can be replaced by a fully-fit Eduardo, as well as an improved Bendtner. All we've done is give Mark Hughes a headache trying to deal with a petulant player like Adebayor.

As for Kolo, a beloved and loyal member of the Invincibles, he wanted to leave. He turned in his transfer request in January, revoked it, and is ready to chase the money. Good for him! He's been too loyal a player for us to stand in his way. It's not like we sold him against his will.

We have Vermaelan. We may well get Hangeland, maybe even De Rossi. If we manage to pick up someone like Huntelaar, too, I'd say we come out way ahead in the deal. The summer isn't over. Let the manager do his job before we all start dumping him. However, if we make no more moves this summer, I'd have to agree with the naysayers: We're in trouble.

gooner mike

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 09:14 PM - Reply

If Toure, Eboue & Senderos all depart then Arsene should have (including the Adebayor funds) a minimum of 50 to 55M to spend. This is very good business for the club as these players aren't good enough for Arsenal going forwards and for winning anything serious.
IF and only IF, Arsene has genuine targets for a quality midfield, centre back and striker then Arsenal should challenge for the title and really move forwards this season with real belief. This is Wengers big chance to replace dead wood / dead attitude with three quality players that will propel the basis of a very exciting Arsenal squad forwards big time!!

Mike

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 07:47 PM - Reply

A lack of ambition could affect the squad in many other ways. With Arshavin already moaning about the British tax system, Van Persie and Fabregas stated that Arsenal needed to strengthen.

The next month will define not only the next season but the future for Arsenal. With the shift in power towards clubs with mega-bucks, Arsenal need to be in a Champions League spot at the end of this season or we'll be on a slippery slope to obscurity. Especially as we are unlikely to fill the stadium for every game now that poorer fans will be voting with their wallets.

Perhaps Wenger has a plan, perhaps it's all going to work out fine. I hope so. But we're lacking two players (CB and DM) and that's without our usual poor luck with injuries.

Big Dave

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 07:41 PM - Reply

I think you have to look at the economics behind this. Mark Hughes is willing to pay 16 million, around what we paid for Arshavin, for a Centre back who hasnt been top class for 2 years. Just saw a stat on sky sports that said he was only in the top 20 ratings for defenders in one stat and that was passing. Heading he was 61st! Tackling 40ish!

Mark Hughes will be out of a job within the year because he has frankly blown money in like a kid on Championship Manager. Arsenal as a self sufficient club, a proper club, need to take advantage of this sort of stupidity. This is 16 million in Wengers pocket for someone like Hangeland.

I'm almost certain that Arsene will get a DM or a CB out of the money he has got. If not, I still stand by him. I think you can see from some of the games and the attitudes of the players in the friendlys that there is a good mood about the club and the players something that probably hasnt been there for about 3 years. They look willing to work for each other.

Remember Arsenal don't have to sell to anybody. They are comfortable the only reason they need to sell is if they really nee to buy. On that logic they either are selling him because they haven someone better lined up that they need more money for, or that Wenger simply doesnt see him as up to it anymore which a lot of people were saying last year.

Arsenal are gelling all of the players are reading from the same page now. I dare say Van Persie new about this when he signed his new deal, and he must have fatih.

Were clearing out the 50/50 not really up for it players and bringing though pationate youth and some class included. This is true pure football at its best, the complete opposite to the crass irresponsibility of the people taking our players.

Little Tim

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 07:36 PM - Reply

Whenever his teams have been thrashed by Arsenal, Mark Hughes has moaned that he didn't have Wenger's players or training facilities. Yet, given good players, he has achieved nothing. Wenger has recognised that Hughes is kid with more money than sense. Like Shearer, he thinks that football management is about standing on the touchline in a smart suit and chewing! He has cash and Arsenal need cash so why not offload Toure, who is nowhere near what he was, and Ade, who will soon reveal his lazier side. Other than Henry (who of course had real class) which players have left Arsenal and done better elsewhere? Don't expect Mark Hughes to bring anything extra out of his recent purchases. He'll be gone by Christmas!

laurence c

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 07:03 PM - Reply

what a read , i agree 101% . i for 1 will ponder parting with my money if arsene fails to spend his

Mannix,kenya.

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 07:00 PM - Reply

That's so absurd,we haven't even replace Flamini, here we want to dispose Toure and dream of winning trophies!?We can't be serious. Ths Board must be sucked for being silence of wht happening in our great team..

smithy

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 06:53 PM - Reply

well said son!

Mannix,kenya.

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 06:51 PM - Reply

Honestly we (funs) are in a very serious problem. Sometimes i keep regreting ever supporting whole heartedly ths team. We funs are after silverware bt management are after money.Let us start forgeting abt leave alone winning trophies bt also remain in top 4. Selling Toure is a joke.

Sauzo Paul

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 06:35 PM - Reply

Who is going next according reputable source Wenger has agreed to sell cesc fabregas, and arshavin for a reported £80m to barca. In return he will buy the following 1. Marcos de' silva (16) Brazilian 2. Jean Maconda (15) French 3. Any left overs from the championship

zeff

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 06:07 PM - Reply

another toure maybe, yaya

nic

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 06:02 PM - Reply

man, im really getting worried about this season, selling toure would be a huge mistake, are lack of depth has cost us really dearly in the last few years, and rather than adding to the 1st tea squad wer are at best just replacing what went out, there simply has not been enough improvment over the last few seasons and other teams like villa and now many city,

if we have financial difficulties i for one would prefer wenger and the board to just come out with it and would be more accepting of the situation, i just feel the gunners have been quite static and at the same time are very close to being a great team, and we certainly shouldnt be man citys feeder club, if everton are rejecting 15m for lescott then why are taking that for kolo, granted hes been out of form, but hes a winner and a fighter, and we all know if he is replaced by wenger it wont be with anyone close to his abilty, how wenger can say we have to many defenders is beyond me, injuries will occur as per usual with us, and im sure silvestre and sanderos should be moved on before kolo!

rant over, peace out!

Samsagoona

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 05:17 PM - Reply

Ive been defending Wenger for the last year and all he has done is put Arsenal in a terrible position. Not only has he sold two of our most experienced players after promising no one will leave and experience will be brought in.. he has sold are best goal scoring striker and doesn't look to be replacing him.. he also has sold one of the best defenders we have had at this club, a defender that has always been loyal and always given 100%.. surely this man is key to our success? his replacement is unproven and i agree with what youve said.. only a bad manager would throw an unproven defender into the first team with no time to adapt..! We had 25 million in the bank after the Ade sale and still Wenger spoke about his faith etc... the same old rubbish ive been hearing for the last two years... He talks about finaces and the economical crisis.. but how does he expect us to cope without Champions League Football, without great sponserships, Tv rights and ofcourse the money from trophies... Football has moved on.. what i mean is that money is vital for sucess in modern football... smaller clubs below us spend more and wenger just seems to stubborn to accept it and spend.. the money is there... a 60,000 sellout stadium everyweek with very high ticket prices alone should guarentee signings.. Why should we pay 40 pounds + for a ticket to watch a bunch of kids that are not good enough... if we dont buy a New defender, new midfielder and new striker this season we will struggle to keep up with city... let alone The other top 3 teams.. And it scares me to say this but if we dont do well this season.. the likes of Fabregas, Arshavin, Gallas and even are younger players could be walking out the door...

A word of advice, Wenger if your going to destroy this club then just leave now before its too late for your replacement to fix us..

Please dont let your legacy die and please dont let this great team slip out of the elite.. because in all fairness it seems like your selling are place in the top 4 to Manchester City..

Duv

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:56 PM - Reply

I've got to admit, I am definately worried about our defence. I have always been a great admirer of toure but I think £16million is a great bit of business for arsene given his recent form. I don't think le boss will sign anyone before the end of the window though, which fills me with dread. We need a no nonsense bruiser who can get people by the scruff of the neck and give our team some much needed fire in their bellies.

Striker wise I feel we are fine without ade. With Nik looking good at pre season and our injury list depleating (for the moment). its defensively (and DM) where we need to bulk up and get some experience in. Without that Mr.Wenger, i'm afraid I'm going to lose the patience I have given to you in the last few seasons!

davy wenger

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:39 PM - Reply

well said, I unfortunately have to agree with you.

Scott

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:34 PM - Reply

I agree. Now is not the time to sell Toure. Why not sell/give away Silvestre? I know he is French (an added bonus to Wenger) but he is cr*p and needs to go. If Toure goes and Wenger does not buy an established replacement WE ARE IN TROUBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Digo

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:32 PM - Reply

A pointless article. Looks like you know more about football than Arsene Wenger. Btw, nothing can take away his legacy even if he didnt win anything and if he is sacked. No jose mourinho will come to our club to save us.

Some of the fans need to get a reality check.

theiceman10

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:18 PM - Reply

my blood is boiling how on earth can he let toure go???????gallas again being looked at again(french connection)wenger not look at age??i really feel for us it hurts me as a supporter explain this how do you go from the invicibles to the jokers ??the loss of hleb and flamini has just ripped us apart would do anything for flamini to be back the player that we have been missing..wenger get rid of all the dead wood instead of proper EXPERIENCED players.....get the hell out with senderos,eboue,denillson,diaby,almunia now!!!!!!!!!

Ole Gunner

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 04:00 PM - Reply

The only thing I could possibly disagree with in this article is the premise that Wenger has to be cajoled to buy players. Since he's been at Arsenal he's brought in at least 2-3 players per season. This year he's already brought in Vermaelen & Arshavin.

It's the bleeding experienced players that's become very worrying.

goonergerry

Posted on 28 Jul, 2009 at 03:31 PM - Reply

Good blog- - huge mistake by Wenger to sell Toure especially to City. This is actually insane. Arsenal might have 7 centre backs, but only 3 are competitive and Toure is the best of the lot. Silvestre is not a competent centre back and never was, We are stuck with Senderos because no one else wants him and Djourou has not made sufficient progress. In fact we could lose all 3 and get 15 m and this would not impact on our chances.
Wenger will buy no one capable of replacing the 2 who have left- because they will cost more than the 2 who left. This is disastrous for Arsenal.

Yes Wenger has done wonders- but what team has prospered by selling 2 or 3 of their best players each year and replacing them by teenagers?

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