Writing about Arsenal during a transfer window can make the writer seem boring and repetitive, and while I resent feeling this way, the subject matter is what it is.
Arsene Wenger’s stubbornness is legendary – I won’t mention his narcissism anymore (read my last few articles if you’re interested), and we used to be called “boring, boring Arsenal” anyway. But I wonder, when did we become a joke? Perhaps you are amongst the ever-shrinking group who don’t see it that way?
Le Prof, as Wenger was once affectionately known as, was given that name partly for his specs but mostly because of his alleged expertise in economics – Wenger enthusiasts are quick to point out his scholarly work. Okay, but that necessarily mean that his education is going to extend to managing a transfer window? Just asking…
Whatever transpires during this current transfer window, and there is plenty of it remaining, Wenger and Arsenal have continued to show remarkably little or no respect for the Arsenal faithful, and the stingy hypocrisy shown by Wenger has increased the unrest amongst Gooners and created a very clear divide between us, the like I have never experienced before!
You only have to follow on twitter to feel the angry disillusionment that I believe a majority of Gooners now feel towards Wenger and his supporters. The animosity expressed towards Wenger supporters, or “AKBs” as they are referred to, can in some cases exceed the animosity felt towards Spurs supporters – it really is getting that bad. In some cases a lot of fans stated that they would have gladly suffered the indignity of Europa League football if it hadn’t meant finishing below our sworn enemies.
The Champions League has become redundant to many of us. We cant win it, and the revenues it generates are not re-invested in players. The so called marquee players CL is supposed to attract are not finding their way to London Colney.
When we secured a fourth place finish ensuing Champions League football, the ensuing celebrations that erupted amongst Wenger and his players were a massive embarrassment to me and many Gooners, especially those of us who still retain some self respect. The open top bus jibes for finishing fourth have made Arsenal a laughing stock (rightfully so), as was Wenger’s relief which was there for all to see. The only thing missing was a lap of honour led by Wenger parading an invisible trophy.
Now you would think a man earning £7.5 m in his final contract year would be eager to make sure the embarrassment of those celebrations would never happen again. You would think a man on £7.5 m a year would be desperate to reunite the fans behind him, and come out to reassure us of the future. But most of all you would think a man earning £7.5 m a year who in the proceeding 8 trophy-less years had earned in excess of £50 m would not have the audacity or the shear nerve to be haggling over player prices, especially when he was solely responsible for the acquisition of at least 10 players not fit to wear the Arsenal shirt, and whose collective wage bill has been wasting in excess of £25 m a year.
Our so called “master of economics”, who has a unilateral equality wage policy at the Emirates which EXCLUDES HIM, has spent this transfer window squabbling over player prices and their wage demands, none of which exceeds his own. In the meantime he has been trying to unload the deadwood he has lumbered the club with.
Bendtner, Squillaci, Arshavin, Santos, Dennilson, Myachi, Park, Chamakh, Djorou and Cocqulain were all players once heralded by Wenger as part of the “strongest squad he has had at Arsenal”. They comprise the shameful list of players inexplicably signed by Wenger who are now being unloaded before Arsenal actually spend a dollar .
Current reports in the media suggest that Arsenal are not close to signing any of the numerous marquee players we have been linked with. Rooney is reportedly not for sale, Felliaini, who for me is a must for Arsenal, is reported to be too expensive. Reports in the media suggest Wenger feels the same towards Ashley Williams.
Arsenal’s dithering has turned the Higuain transfer into Juan Mata revisited, which was so maddening at the time. Grenier and Bender are others that seem to be too expensive or not for sale and the alleged £30m Suarez bid was an aberration – why would he come to Arsenal ? We need a spine; Higuain, Fellaini, Williams and Richards would create that spine in which Wenger could build a team around that could at least challenge for honours .
As Wenger’s looks and antics increasingly relate him more to Mr. Bean rather than the man who once bought and led the Invincibles to Premiership glory, it begs the question “Without David Dein, can Wenger be trusted with spending this so called’ warchest’, as the only person he seems to believe worthy of earning in excess off £150k a week is himself.
Bearing in mind a player not on the list of deadwood that perhaps will be seen as such in the near future is the £10m purchase Gervhinio! Wenger has got a lot to answer for now in terms of wasting money, but at least he played and scored the odd goal. Still, how did Wenger ever pay £10m for him?
Ya Ya Sanogo is a classic “two fingers up to the fans” from Wenger. He may yet turn out to be a great free transfer, but on the back of paying for the most expensive season tickets and merchandising in the country, when will Arsenal, Wenger and Gazedis cut the fans some slack? When will they throw us a bone and sign some marquee players with the money we have been donating to them for so long? I’m talking about something other than an unproven French Ligue 2 kid from Auxerre.
We deserve to know the truth and Wenger needs to earn at least some of his yearly fortune by getting back in touch with the fans and healing the Arsenal fans’ divide. I personally would like to see the back of the man, as he has scant regard for the fans and I honestly believe that at 63 he has become deluded in his assessment of players, is evermore stubborn in his refusal to buy players from the Premiership, and has become clueless in his tactical awareness as our losses to Bradford and Blackburn proved. I just do not trust him anymore. Can you honestly agree with, “In Arsene We Trust” any longer?
£70m, or whatever the funds available add up to, will be wasted on Arsene Wenger who would be better off managing the French national side . All those young French players at his disposal without spending a penny would suit Wenger’s style of management, and would free us Gooners from his stubborn narcissism. I’m actually serious, he is more suited for that role!
The silence is no longer deafening because of all of the laughing at us, and that is sad for a proud club and group of supporters around the world.
Richie Rich
Thanks for reading! Be sure to follow Rich on Twitter – @R1chierichguner. Give the rest of our Arsenal team a follow – @RoryHarbaugh, @TonyNYGooner and @jimpow77. Give the site a follow while you’re at it – @LastWordOnSport.
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands of fans at r/football.
Interested in writing for LastWordOnSports? Find more info at our “Join Our Team” page.
