A quick look at the news:
Arsenal are under attack from the BBC via Robbie Savage saying they are not a big club any more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19351843
Pretty spurious argument as ‘big\’ is subjective in this case. And a definition of big should include debt, which Robbie, like most football pundits, don’t delve into.
Those backing Savage\’s view will see Ashley Cole caressing the Champions League trophy in the Sun, with a list of medals that relatively recent departed Arsenal players have amassed: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4498786/Stars-quit-Arsenal-and-win-44-medals.html
The list includes 17 players, who won 44 major medals with 11 different clubs with Arsenal getting £163m for them.
You\’d expect Barcelona to figure, but the surprise is Birmingham and Portsmouth – 1 FA Cup for Sol Campbell and Lassana Diarra and 1 Carling Cup for Seb Larsson and Alex Hleb.
Some would say this tarnishes the folklore that those leaving Arsenal rarely go on to better careers elsewhere – but this is TEAM medals not individual performances and reputations.
Those looking for positive signs, have a look at the article in the Daily Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/premier-league/9493345/Manchester-United-and-Manchester-City-split-by-proposals-on-Premier-League-financial-controls.html
At the league\’s annual meeting, the idea of taking UEFA\’s FFP directly into the Premier League is one idea being mooted.
Looks like clubs are ganging up on Man City, who don\’t want to accept home-grown FFP restrictions.
Not surprising as their operating loss in the 2010-11 season was £194.9 million. And the UEFA rule is break even within a margin of “acceptable deviation†of €45 million ( £35.5 million) over the first two years.
Several years ago, it was predicted that American owners would bring in a fairer system, given the culture of sports in their country. And this appears to be the case, with JW Henry and Liverpool pushing and David Gill, the Glazers and Kroenke, reportedly not resisting.
In terms of transfer gossip, several sites reported that the loan deal for Real Madrid\’s Nuri Sahin had gone through. But this is Arsenal. It hasn\’t been officially reported. And doubt remains.
A newish name entered the fray yesterday in Seville\’s Jesus Navas, with the obvious ‘answers prayers\’ headlines: http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/268307/Arsenal-line-up-Sevilla-ace-Jesus-Navas-as-Theo-Walcott-replacement/
ANR reported the interest in this player years ago, along with the fact the lad didn\’t like travelling. At 26 he\’s maybe got over that now, and would be a welcome addition.
There\’s a good article on the new Under-21 Premier League in the Independent: http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/the-worlds-toughest-playground-new-under21-premier-league-kicks-off-8073635.html
Terry Burton says the Monday night game was a great tactical experience and character building going down to ten men and fighting back for a 3-1 victory with Eisfeld starring.
BTW: ANR is seventeen years old this week.