From Tel :
Hi Myles
I am like most people that visit your site. Don’t always agree with your views but enjoy reading them regardless.
You seem to be vilified for going against the Arsene Knows brigade but I am one of these people that like hearing both sides of any argument.
Now that the Squillaci deal has been confirmed I have a few points regarding this and wondered what your thoughts were?
1) Why did we a sign a 30-year old on a ‘long term contract’ (that says to me a minimum of 3 years) when we only offer over 30’s currently at the club a year at a time. It is the equivalent of a mobile phone company shafting their existing customers (ie players already at the club and 30/30+) but rewarding new customers (ie new signings who happen to be 30/30+) This surely cannot be good for squad harmony amongst the older squad players.
2) If the fee is true and is approx £6.5m is this arguably the worst piece of business since Wiltord was allowed to leave for free? The player will have minimal re-sale value at end of his contract and we will prob end up free transferring him to get an ageing player off the wage bill.
This type of signing would have been ideal if he was on a free or a minimal fee but £6m+!? I just dont get it. Has desperation set it?
3) We have spent millions in fees and wages signing William Gallas back up in the national team. Surely from footballing AND financial point of view were we not just better off re-signing Gallas? Was he that much of a cancer in the dressing room or was it his obvious will to win that made for the uncomfortable atmosphere due it lacking so badly in others?
4) Squillachi hasn’t been signed in time for Blackburn away on Saturday. Why on earth not? Again I am going by media reports but the word is he flew into London on Monday. Why has it taken that long to seal the deal? Wages would not have been a problem he was extremely keen to join us. Did the paranoid medical staff take 2 whole days to carry out a medical?!! I know he was injured most of last year and due diligence has to be done but 2 days? Why werent we rushing him through in time for Saturday where an aerial bombardment is imminent.
5) I know top defenders aren’t falling off trees but the end result of Wenger’s WORLDWIDE scouting network was approx £17m spent on 2 French defenders one of whom from very early viewing looks like a work in progress (unlike Tommy V, who looked the business right from the off) and the other is approaching the tail-end of his career and spent most of last season on the injury list.
I know us Gooners are notorious for never being happy and we have been crying out for an experienced centre half, and now we have one I feel guilty for having a moan up but I am just left feeling completely underwhelmed with the transfers again this summer. It’s that bad we are keeping our fingers crossed we sign a 37-year old goalkeeper who had a terrible World Cup and looked way past his peak. Happy Days
Myles replies :
Typical Gooner angst.
Start worrying when Pedersen starts to swing those set-pieces into the six-yard box for six foot six Samba. If that old tactic wins the game, other teams will copy Allardyce.
But if Arsenal keep the ball, and Chamakh sparkles. and Fabregas makes one and scores one, Arsenal could win 2-1. Let’s wait three hours and see what happens.
I haven’t had a bet this season and won’t gamble till the transfer window closes. I’m feeling my way into the season, or trying to.
On transfers, he sold Eduardo for £7m, got Koscielny for £4m plus add-ons, Squillaci for £6.5m. And he got Chamakh on a free.
So he’s laid out £10.5m and recouped £7m.
With three days to go in this transfer window. Arsene Wenger has spent £3.5 million.
He would call that good French housekeeping.
From Tomiwa :
He spent £3.6m on Squillaci. So, technically, he hasn’t spent a dime. Good housekeeping, innit?