RocktheCasbah said:Ha, that got your attention, didn't it?
Wrighty is an Arsenal legend, a hero to many of us, I would say particularly to those of us growing up watching a team on the downslide following 2 league titles in three years. Yes, I am talking about me here.
He was, up until 2002, the only Arsenal player I had ever met and I worshipped the ground he walked on, albeit not to his face. But, in the past, I have wondered where Wrighty's motives lie, especially when he writes for a certain tabloid. Which is odd, because when faced with Adrian Durham's senile dribblings on the radio, he always comes across as pro Arsenal.
Wrighty's latest "article" begins with a gratuitous reference to another hero of mine, David Rocastle. I'm not disputing the fact that they were great mates, I know they were, but I think Rocky might have had more of a problem with Wrighty's article than with what is happening in N5 right now.
Wrighty says that he was desparate to finish his career at Arsenal, like the great Dennis Bergkamp did. He forgets to mention the fact that, and I have to be fair here perhaps he saw the writing on the wall, he was agitating for a move to Benfica as Arsenal chased the Double in 1998. He then asks who is the star name who will attract other star names, before answering his own question with two words, "Cesc Fabregas". But then qualifies that by mentioning how young Cesc is. For the record, Cesc is now two years olders than Patrick Vieira when Vieira arrived at Arsenal and with 4 years Premiership experience behind him. Ian, in his old age, also seems to have forgotten that the excellent Bac Sagna and Eduardo, like so many Wenger signings before them, were not exactly "star" names on their arrival.
For someone who has no managerial experience whatsoever, questioning one of the most influential managers in football history and his way of doing things, which is exactly what Ian is doing, smacks of utter ignorance. Well, it's either that or a thinly veiled attempt at cheerleading for the return of Wrighty's mate, David Dein.
Fair enough, the departures of Flamini and Hleb have seen the knives out for Arsenal this summer. But let's not get carried away, let's not forget Flamini could just as easily be playing in the Championship as the San Siro this summer. And as for Hleb, well, if only he shot a bit more than he opened his mouth. I think Diaby can replace Flamini, whether he will is open to question. And I think Samir Nasri, can be have a much more positive influence on the Arsenal side than the Etch-a-sketch football of Alex Hleb. Did Arsène really sound that bothered to lose either player?
Maybe a lot of what Wright has said could be deemed fair enough, but this hilarious line is so out there, even the X-Files Agent Mulder would laugh at him,
"If any Arsenal fan told me they expected the club to finish in the top four this season, I reckon they would be optimistic rather than realistic."
So, in Wrighty's opinion, we're gonna go from 4 points (and in effect 2 second half set pieces from Manchester United) off the title to not even qualifying for the Champions League. Why?
"United have shown resilience by fighting tooth and nail to keep Cristiano Ronaldo. And though Dimitar Berbatov may not arrive, United signalled their intent with their audacious bid for the Tottenham star. Liverpool are refusing to stand still and have flexed their muscles in the transfer market with Sp**s striker Robbie Keane. Chelsea have landed Deco and Jose Bosingwa and are on a high-profile tour of the Far East and Russia. "
So, United have, it seems, managed to hold onto Ronaldo and have had a failed bid for Berbatov. Chelsea have signed a playmaker who has to fit in somewhere with Lampard, Ballack, Essien and co and Liverpool have signed Robbie Keane. Well, that's it, isn't it? We might as well give up and go home now, if Liverpool have signed Robbie Keane (for £20m? Levy is nearly as good as we are). And what Chelsea's tour of the far east has to do with anything, God only knows. I don't see where a serious and sustained challenge to our top 4 status can come from. Especially when the club who everyone thought most likely last summer are losing strikers like they lost points at the beginning of last season.
Ian Wright, opening his mouth without apparently engaging his brain, now there's a first. What Wrighty seems to be forgetting is that Ramos and Scolari are still unknown quantities in the Premier League, Rafa Benitez has never been proven to be much more than a spanish George Graham- without the league titles. Only Alex Ferguson can really be considered the equal, or better, of our own Arsène. And we've still got him, so Flamini, Hleb and, yes Ian Wright, can talk all they want. The only talking that matters is that which begins on August 16th.
And I, personally, can't wait.