From Michael Atkins : Wenger got the Arteta deal back on track
after he intervened and told the Arsenal Board to give Arteta more money or a longer deal.
It was only then that Arteta asked for the move to be back on.
So much for Gazidis and co doing it all behind Wenger’s back whilst he had the huffs in Switzerland.
Telephones are very useful things!
Yesterday Cesc stated that Wenger was also responsible getting the the board to release him at a lower fee. Essentially the board were screwing up the transfer window.
Wenger as usual took the rap.
From John Feeney : Yours was the only article I needed while on holiday in Spain
Hello Myles,
Really insightful piece.
I have just had a fabulous break from it all in Spain.Didn’t read papers didn’t go on the internet. Just watched the matches.Wengers madness is now quite troubling. He is reminding me more and more of the Woody Allen film Bananas.
After the Liverpool game, he claimed that the game was decided by the sending off.
No Sir, Arsenal were only still in the game because Dalglish went with the lumbering clown Carroll and not the brilliant Suarez.
Liverpool stuffed us and Liverpool are ordinary. It has actually become really funny.
Fast forward to that game at Old Trafford.
I suppose an 8-2 game hinged on the penalty miss too. Surely he won’t say that ? Oh sweet Mother of God…he is now saying that as well.We were weeping tears of laughter/rage into our San Miguels by this point.
My concern is not only who he plays but where.He doesn’t like being told who to buy.
Let us not forget that he has marooned the brilliant little Russian out on the left wing for three years now.He may well play Arteta in goal.
From Freddy : Art?
Hi Myles,
I refer you back to something you once said: Arsenal want Mata, but does Mata want Arsenal?
There lies the primary reason for our failings this transfer window.We were the artists of England, maybe even Europe. But no ones buying that story any more. Its not a matter of whom we could have bought is it? Who wanted to come, did Hazard press for a move, would he rather wait and see how far we are about to fall?
I’m surprised you’re not excited about Arteta. He’s going to be massive for us. Incisive, strong and hungry at 29. Finally a deadball specialist. Arteta and Gerv will do what tippy-tappy could never. And Wenger will not expose Chamberlain after Wilshere’s injuries exposed Wenger.
I’m relieved with the transfers though, that speaks of how little I expected as August drew to a close.
It’s a beautiful monsoon in Bombay this year.
From Melvyn Segal : Brilliant comments
Hi Myles
Just loved your comment – “Park is better than Chamakh or Bendtner because any striker is better than those two .â€
The TV news makes it even more remarkable we didn\’t buy Cahill – I still cannot believe that AW was not asked to leave following the 8-2 thrashing and I believe that notwithstanding the new signings it will only get worse especially without JW & TV. Wenger will be delighted at the injuries because he will give him his excuse but it is as clear to all us less than 30 minutes in football people that something is awry with our training for us to suffer all these injuries.
I have no confidence that we will beat Swansea on Saturday. Watching their defence play in the play-offs, I could see they were so much better trained in the art of defending than our so called superstars. Squillaci would not get into the Swansea squad and Djourou would also struggle – what an indictment.
Are we still paying wages for Almunia ?
Best wishes and thanks for all the great reads.
From Alex Chung : I find it interesting that
Arsene has said absolutely nothing about the 5 new signings in the 6 days since they were signed.
In fact, no quotes at all on any topic.
Nothing to say “We have brought in some experienced heads to help us get back to winning ways” (not that I believe he has brought in anywhere near enough), which leads me to believe he either sulking or they were not ‘his’ buys.
Just think, he could have gotten Jones for 16, Cahill for 15, Young for 15, Lukaku for 13 (rising to 18), Mata for 13 (when the release clause was in effect), Enriqe for 6 and Martin for 13 – had a young hungry spine with a solid defence, using the budget available to him.
You could even move Vermaelen to replace Song in the holding midfielder role (as I don’t think he’s as good a defender in the box as Jones or Cahill, but better outside of it than either of them).