I’m generally an avid fan of what Arsene Wenger has done for Arsenal Football Club. But when you see Andre Villas-Boas at Spurs you can see what a youthful managerial approach can achieve. Our hated rivals have made some quality signings, while Arsenal seem to be, as always, left clutching at straws at the end of a transfer period – or was that their plan all along ?
While Spurs lost Clint Dempsey to Seattle Sounders of the MLS, Steven Caulker to Cardiff City, as well as both Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore to Hull City, who they brought in bodes well for their future. Etienne Capoue, Roberto Soldado, Nacer Chadli, and Paulinho are four excellent, aggressive signings from A V-B. They didn’t cost a fortune, are experienced and quality players. If Spurs can find that talent, why can’t Arsenal? Arsenal are clearly a bigger, more historical club with apparently money to burn.
As we have all heard in recent years from Wenger, “We are active on the transfer window. We are looking to bring in new signings.” Then the famous words the day after the transfer window closes after a few panic buys, “We tried, but the players we tried for weren’t worth the prices we were quoted.” I wonder how many Gooners believe the Professor any more?
All in all, can any Arsenal fan say with a true heart that they have been happy overall with our transfer policy since 2005? Yes, there have been a few good bargain buys – even Santi Cazorla was a steal given the low fee paid to Malaga, but this late in the window, what team is going to give up quality when there’s barely time to find replacements? Mikel Arteta was a great late buy, but those deals are not readily available, and besides, we need a truly big name, perhaps more than just one.
As far as I can see the rumours of players coming in always starts right around season ticket renewal time – interesting, that. Then once they have the quota sold, the transfer news goes quiet. Really, it’s as blatant as that, and I know I’m not alone in thinking so.
I will always support Arsenal and the manager, but I seriously think fourth place every year isn’t good enough. We need major investment to be able to challenge. I don’t want to see us struggling three weeks before the end of the season to get fourth place. I think it starts with whether or not Arsene Wenger himself, with a rumoured 10million pound contract extension over 3 seasons, will in fact be our biggest signing of the summer.
As painful as it is to say, just look at what Spurs are doing with a young, aggressive manager in the transfer period. Now look in the mirror.
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