From Simon: Transfers
It’s funny how since Wenger took over everything at Arsenal HQ we’ve been beset by ‘nearly’ and ‘not quite’ when it comes to signing top players.
Can these players see through Wenger?
When it comes to the pitch, does he not convince with his ‘selling the future’ spiel? Maybe these players turn their nose up at the 3rd Losers trophy that we manage to hold aloft at end of each season…
Who can blame them? Too many tomorrows in Wenger’s world when players live for today.
From Manmohit: you were right about Wenger all along
Hi,
I always thought you were always over-critical of Wenger.
I was not the biggest fan of him but still your bashing always seemed harsh.
But this transfer window has changed my view for once and all.
After such a horrible season, I was really optimistic about this transfer window. It was the time to sign players we need and move forward and put the misery of last 2 summers behind us.
This has cost us players like Mata, Xabi Alonso in the past, but I believe its not anyone’s concern.
This season they are penny-pinching again and may end up not signing both Fellaini and Higuain.
Arsenal are yet to agree fees with either club and if in meanwhile any other big club become interested, I am not sure why any of these player would join us.
KLV : Stingy Wenger
Hi Myles,
Watched the entire Wimbledon Final, men’s singles, that is.
First time in more than 20 years at that.
Loved the match. Not perfect, but admired the guts of both players who, despite friends from a very young age, were out to kill each other from the first stroke. That’s what I enjoy in a contest, unlike some Arsenal matches past few seasons, when we were best at foreplay but no orgasm.
When it comes to buying new players, AW is a stingy, procrastinating manager.
He waits and hopes that selling teams will become desperate and forced to sell to him at utterly low prices. The fact that he missed out on so many good to great players is because this will never happened, and never will. Selling clubs can read his game through and through. Like Real Madrid, like Everton.
So, have a great summer, enjoy the cricket, and very likely by the end of the Ashes series, AW still will not be able to sign anyone.
From Dave Roberts: Jagielka/Fellaini
Why don’t you Gooners just buy Everton shirts, come to Goodison and watch them every week?
From Arsenal-Steve: no significant signings
The club have bid for no one.
Not Higauin, Jovetic, Fellaini, Rooney, Capoue or Suarez. They want to look like the have made big bids. They will probably get Gareth Barry as the marquee signing.
The club is creatively dead.
They have now sold the season ticket,s so once again they will aim for fourth place except they will not get it because other teams are refreshing their teams.
This now sad club, which I have watched since 1958, are now humiliating it’s fans.
Best that all the fans boycott one game and bring some fear to the board.
From OzGoonerGuy : no transfers
It wouldn’t surprise me or many Gooners if Yaya Sanogo represents the extent of our summer signings.
The clubs that have their act together identify their targets long before the transfer window opens and wrap things up quickly so the new signings integrate well into the squads.
Arsenal’s recent history is one of low-ball bidding, last minute knee-jerk signings and complete failures to replace key players that have moved on.
Whether it is AW, the Board, the negotiation teams, or some combination of them that are responsible, Arsenal’s conduct in the transfer market is a joke, and not befitting of the club’s stature. We shouldn’t be rummaging at the bottom of the bargain barrel for players, we should be investing for success.
No excuses now – the club should have serious reinforcements in place for pre-season. Our competitors will, and will have moved up a notch from last season.
If we fail to secure someone of the calibre of Cesar (where we are the only viable London option, and our kid keepers are sub-par) there is something seriously wrong. We need more than that, but I won’t be surprised if we kick of in August with no one more than Sanogo on the squad list.
From Will Roney : business
I totally agree that if Arsenal miss out on targets this year there will be a lot of angry gooners out there. As much as I defend Wenger, I would agree if we don’t get a couple of quality signings in (at least) I would be hugely disappointed and serious questions would need to be asked.
However,let’s see. It’s still early days, the season doesn’t start for over a month. I hope that Arsenal don’t drag these signings on that long though….
The problem with prices is that now with so many clubs with unlimited funds the market is inflated, but that is the way it is and if Arsenal want to buy players they are going to have to spend what the market dictates.
From Steve Green :Wenger
Myles,
I’m sure you’re right with the info. And it makes me so angry.
Wenger is scared to spend money in case he fails and has n where to turn to.
But why doesn’t he think : Let’s buy these players and maybe we can compete and win.
It’s because he’s scared of failure and wants to stay in his protected bubble.
I so wish I could give Wenger the board and all of them a slap and a rocket up their backside.
It’s time to wake up, Arsenal.
Myles says:
Don’t let a spin-doctor decide whether you’re happy or not, Steve.
Nothing has changed.
Wenger runs Arsenal and nothing will change while he decides everything.
So there’s nothing to talk about till he leaves.
Despite that, I’m really looking forward to next season.
2013-14 will be more surprising and more compelling than usual, I’m sure.
But until then, I’m really looking forward to five more weekends without football.