The storm after the calm?: Transfers reaction and Liverpool preview
By David Swaden
Well that was the footballing equivalent of a lap dancing club. So much to get worked up about, but for Arsenal and its fans, not getting our eager hands on anyone.
Am I pleased with our inactivity? No of course not, and I suspect even the manager is not fully content. But once again I find reactions from certain fans a bit much. I myself am a reformed anti-Wengerite, so I understand the frustrations. I mainly softened given last season’s finish, the realities of competing with the oligarchs and the mastermind appointment of “Uncle Bouldy” Bould.The fact is we have still spent a significant amount of money this year and brought in three players who have improved the squad. It is far from the shambles, last straw or demise that some would have it to be.
As I’ve said already, my main concern is up front and where the goals will come from. I’m delighted to have got rid of Park and Bendtner, as I really feel it would have been dangerous to rely on them for anything more than haircare products. I get the feeling Wenger was prepared to go for a striker if the right factors came into play, but in the end, they didn’t and so Chamakh, probably the best of a bad bunch, has remained as back up. The manager has maintained that a top team needs 4 strikers for many years now and so I expect Theo will now get more time there, particularly with AOC arguably more effective in midfield than him. If he delivers the goods and goals then he will justify his desired pay rise. If he doesn’t then he will either have to like it or lump it and will no doubt be shifted on. No big losers in that one for me. AOC is listed as a striker on the website of course, not sure I agree but let’s watch that space too.
On the midfield, the possibility of giving Coquelin more gametime to replace Song is something which Arsene has clearly factored in. Those of us with memories long enough to remember past yesterday evening will recall that this sort of succession has happened before, e.g. Silvinho to Ashley Cole and Edu to Fabregas. Those two did rather well, whilst they were with us.
Looking ahead to Liverpool, and if there’s one fan set more frustrated than ourselves, it will be the Kopites. Suarez is a gem of a player but not primarily for his goals, Borini looks promising but beyond that they are very short. Perhaps the only thing worse than getting no signings is being linked with some absolute gamechangers like Llorente and then getting no signings. Did the relative rawness of Rodgers as a manager of an elite club give cause for hesitation to some targets? who knows. Regardless, it will be a really tough game tomorrow and, in isolation, a draw would be a decent result, giving us arguably two satisfactory results, albeit with a measly 3 points from 9.
So to sum up, I share the disappointment of our relative inactivity yesterday, but neither the anger nor resignation. The younger players now have a real chance to step up and I actually think that a few of them like Coq will surprise this year. Many have looked at Spurs with envy, but with the exception of the exciting Dembele, I’m not overly bothered. Dempsey is a good player but I’d far rather they had him than Moutinho. In addition, I say again that in Cazorla we have potentially our best player of his type since a certain duck-running-styled Frenchman.
So let’s shut the window, close the curtains, and get behind who we have, we can’t change it……..until January.
I think we can change the manager the cause of our all trouble , Wenger is a dogma , rigid , reluctant , indecisive and hopeless . a credible young ,ambitious manager to make a real change and listen to the fans and stand up for the members of the board.
Mate get a grip, Wenger is our bloody saviour, against all odds he keeps us in there, he is massively restricted, one day the truth will come out and all the fans that slate him will bow for forgiveness…….
Wenger has won naught for 7 seasons because of his stubbornness and greediness to keep money in the bank and probably lining his pockets. Youve drank the kool aid and believe wengers rumblings that 4th place is achieving something. Even though the CL is something we well never win with wenger in charge. Unless he changes his ways. In wenger we rust
Whether or not you support Wenger, it comes down to results. We can all have our opinions and pontificate all we want, but until the results are in it means nothing.
Clearly AFC, that includes ownership, the board and management, have the goal of qualify for the CL while keeping spending within a certain budget. So far, they have been successful in doing so.
For us Arsenal fans, we have to decide whether we will continue to support the team now that their ambition is abundantly clear. The question as to whether you continue to support AFC or move on to one with greater ambition depends on your DNA. If you have AFC in your blood, then you either accept their level of ambition or start screaming bloody murder until new ownership with greater desire comes in.
With the sale of Song and without a replacement, it seems Wenger is taking a huge risk and may well miss out on CL qualification. My thinking is that he will wait til the January window and bring in reinforcements as the situation dictates. But, the best we can hope for is a top four finish and bowing out of the CL when the the going gets tough. Just keep taking your blood pressure meds.
Dax, fair comment mate, your right in a lot of what you say.
I am not so sure letting song go is such a risk as not buying that extra forward we need, I rate Coquelin and think he will compete with Diaby for a berth. And the otehr risk is getting Sagna back asp, would have liked another right sided defender who could play midfield.
But as you say its in the results, people are getting out of their prams before a ball is kicked…..
For me AW isn’t the problem its the board. Look at the players wenger can bring us on a pittence. Imagine what we could get if we had an owner who could actually afford to own a football club. Usmanov and dein should take over and get rid of ivan and our american freind. Then we can have a chance to compete, you know Kroneke had to get DB involved in order to afford his shares and doesn’t want a rights issue because he hasn’t got any money himself! Thats why we have to run Arsenal like a supermarket in order for this useless owner to have a nice investment. Funnily enough the commercial sector flags so badly in this so called sustainable system we have to make up for it in selling off our most attractive products. The board promised to invest heavily and yet again a profit has been made again. Please sign the petition on petition buzz to get Usmanov IN.
Dax – that’s the Rub. Its not as if one can just change your team allegiance. Not for me anyways!
In for the ‘Longhaul’, but I guess that’s the bit the owners are banking on. They’re well aware of the so called Brand loyalty that exist in football.
Yes, let’s shot the window, close the curtains and get behind Wenga! Indeed , there’s nothing we can do till january. But I think we’ve got a very good squad. And CAZORLA… I do agree with u , A REAL CLASS, and if you ask me, THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ARSENAL this seasYes, let’s shot the window, close the curtains and get behind Wenga! Indeed , there’s nothing we can do till january. But I think we’ve got a very good squad. And CAZORLA… I do agree with u , A REAL CLASS, and if you ask me, THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ARSENAL this seasYes, let’s shot the window, close the curtains and get behind Wenga! Indeed , there’s nothing we can do till january. But I think we’ve got a very good squad. And CAZORLA… I do agree with u , A REAL CLASS, and if you ask me, THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ARSENAL this seasYes, let’s shot the window, close the curtains and get behind Wenga! Indeed , there’s nothing we can do till january. But I think we’ve got a very good squad. And CAZORLA… I do agree with u , A REAL CLASS, and if you ask me, THE BEST THING TO HAPPEN TO ARSENAL this season.
We are used to the bullshit; Wenga this, Wenga that.. Arsenal won’t qualify for CL, will get relegated, no more a big club and all the hugwash. Yet every other season Arsenal remain in top 4. You only wish arsenal will get worst, but it only remain a wish, cause you are always disappointed. And if you don’t believe Arsene has a good quality this season in Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski, then you must see a medical doctor cause you must be suffering from a serious (acute)MALARIWe are used to the bullshit; Wenga this, Wenga that.. Arsenal won’t qualify for CL, will get relegated, no more a big club and all the hugwash. Yet every other season Arsenal remain in top 4. You only wish arsenal will get worst, but it only remain a wish, cause you are always disappointed. And if you don’t believe Arsene has a good quality this season in Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski, then you must see a medical doctor cause you must be suffering from a serious (acute)MALARIWe are used to the bullshit; Wenga this, Wenga that.. Arsenal won’t qualify for CL, will get relegated, no more a big club and all the hugwash. Yet every other season Arsenal remain in top 4. You only wish arsenal will get worst, but it only remain a wish, cause you are always disappointed. And if you don’t believe Arsene has a good quality this season in Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski, then you must see a medical doctor cause you must be suffering from a serious (acute)MALARIWe are used to the bullshit; Wenga this, Wenga that.. Arsenal won’t qualify for CL, will get relegated, no more a big club and all the hugwash. Yet every other season Arsenal remain in top 4. You only wish arsenal will get worst, but it only remain a wish, cause you are always disappointed. And if you don’t believe Arsene has a good quality this season in Cazorla, Giroud and Podolski, then you must see a medical doctor cause you must be suffering from a serious (acute)MALARIA.
A. Wenger done his business early, got 3 players early and us as fan got excited but just as everything was looking up Wenger sold are 2 top players of last year. Im the end the board and Wenger are happy with what business we have done during the transfer window . Arsenal FC have made a profit from sales from players and loan moves . We as fans must except that this will be the end of us as a top team in the top flight l hope l am wrong .
There is a lot of truth inwhat many folk say First. If you want a new Manager WHO!! None of the recent new boys this season have covered themselves with glor..early season as it is. We have an experience guy wo has weathered many storms – true he seems a bit ecentric but at least keeps us in the hunt!! SWith thenew mwen we have I believe we are in goodn shape withe the injured guys coming back and a couple of tyeh young guys coming through we can do it!! here is a thought to ponder give Arshavn a long run in the reserves with some sterm supervision we might yet come up with a four goal specialist.And a wonder Barcelona goal again. Who knows it is worth a go surely
As a life long supporter and season ticket holder I feel the board need to reinvest in the club..CHEAPER BURGERS AND TEA NOW!
Whoa, I genuinely learned something new.
It’s not the same rubbish I’ve been reading the past 60
minutes. Informative, detailed, and helpful! Amazing work!