Wenger himself said Arsenal fans are divided into different groups including international fans who drop in now and again to see a game and corporate visitors. And to some of those, questions about where they stand on Wenger are irrelevant.
Also it is an artificial question, as some fans, one week think Wenger should go, the next, not so sure. Some think in their heads, maybe he should go but in their hearts, being Arsenal fans, support the club, warts and all. And of course who would replace him?
Some others now see football as a cultural not a sporting thing. Why bother about finishing higher than clubs who spend £300m more on players in a league which masquerades as sport and regulators [see the article on money laundering and the Premiership in yesterday’s press] hell bent on maximising the honey pot.
So in that respect it is great to see Arsenal ce Ivan Gazidis saying the Premier League should consider introducing a salary cap for its clubs as a way of encouraging financial stability and more even competition.
In an interview with The Guardian, he says: “I think it is worth our while to investigate whether there are elements of the salary cap system, which they have in US NFL and baseball, which would benefit football,” he said.
“Clubs have a duty to provide more stability in our business models and some form of wage restraint is one element worth looking at. There are many different ways in which it could work.”
There are powerful vested interests against it. I once asked David Dein – what are the chances of wage cap, and he said it had to be worldwide, FIFA based, and therefore unlikely. But at least Gazidis is putting a marker down.
Somewhat ironic then, today is the day the Arsenal board decide on Usmanov’s call for a £100m rights issue, to which Gazidis says: “I am open-minded and we have commissioned Rothschild [the merchant bank] to advise the board. We have to be sure it can make a real and lasting contribution to the club.”
Gazidis is part of a European clubs’ association working group considering improvements to the financial running of football.
Meanwhile, the squad is taking shape for next season. William Gallas confirmed (Sky Sports) he has no intention of leaving and looks set to see his contract out. He said as much last season.
“I am at Arsenal, my contract is still valid for a year, so I am an Arsenal player. We have not talked about renewing the contract, but I am relaxed and looking forward to next season with Arsenal.”
Aaron Ramsey has signed a new five year deal
Wenger, in a press briefing, revealed he is unllikely to sign more than two more new players. “In my opinion, to recruit more than three players in a transfer window, as Real plan, is taking a technical risk.”
The Express says Wenger is switching his focus to Spurs target and Marseille skipper Loik Cana.
Cana said: “The door remains open for a departure, even with three years remaining on my contract. I will talk with my family and my representatives. It will then depend on what I want to do. Of the possible destinations in the future, England and Germany are the two leagues that attract me the most.”
The Irish Examiner says Udinese’s Gokhan Inler is another midfielder on Wenger’s radar, and probably a better all round player than Melo.
The Daily Mail reckons Aston Villa are keeping tabs on Philippe Senderos.
The Guardian rumour mill says Wenger is after Mesut Ozil, who mesmerised England u21s in the final. Unlikely as he’s filling Diego’s shoes for Werder Bremen. Also Sweden’s Marcus Berg, who also interests Spurs and Boro Goalie Ross Turnbull who interests Chelsea.
Young Arsenal right back Abu Agogo has signed a two year deal with Dagenham & Redbridge.