da realsbet：
da luck： Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger frivolously responded to ex-Gunner Sol Campbell’s quotes surrounding his doubting of the clubs ambitions to win trophies last week reacting ‘Sol Campbell has a lot of money, his gifts are welcome’. Whilst the coming summer transfer window might represent a busy one for Arsenal in terms of overhauling a youthful looking squad with added quality and experience, Wenger’s continued emphasis on buying quality and not quantity pays dividends to the belief that the Frenchman is tight with his money, and is anything but cavalier-like in risking large sums of money on ready-made pros.
Of course, Wenger has a point and the quantity-quality debate may secretly forge some linkages between the clubs regretful and very un-Arsenal like summer spending of last year whereby they took until 11:59 on deadline day; August 31st to conclude their shopping with Mikel Arteta proving the only shrewd buy amongst what could be arguably be deemed ‘panic purchases’ in hindsight.
Every time the Gunners are linked with a big name; most notably the pending signing of Lukas Podolski, there is a huge sigh of relief and an outburst of joy, uncharacteristic in relation to other big clubs, simply because Wenger has built up this reputation as a groomer of more youthful talent. Whilst it would be unfair to judge Wenger merely as a Dario Gradi-like character in making players then selling them on, the Frenchman has somewhat constructed an obsession following the successful manufacturing of stars such as Nicolas Anelka, Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry and more recently Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri. The Premier League season is much more than an experiment for Wenger however, and this season the fans have vented more frustration than ever before at the team’s Jekyll & Hyde state. Whilst Champions League qualification may represent a trophy in the eyes of Wenger, it certainly doesn’t in the eyes of the loyal fan base and certain ex-pros such as Campbell and Bergkamp have uncharacteristically gone public in questioning just what direction the club is heading in.
Arsenal’s transfer relationship between the manager and the fans almost resembles one between a mother and child whereby the elder tells the youngster to eat all their greens before they can have ice cream for dessert. For every ice cream or marquee signing, Wenger tries his hand at transforming good; not great talents who take time to adapt such as from Ligue 1 in the form of Laurent Koscielny, Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho. Whilst Arsenal usually battle on four fronts, there is less time for a so-called bedding-in period during expectant campaigns. Whilst these players are steady and relatively experienced pros, they are not ready-made in the sense of not experiencing Premier League football before and not being acclaimed worldwide as top talents but instead category B personnel.
Additionally, the Gunners usually embark on an impressive, yet frustrating end of season run which somewhat papers over the cracks of what has been before, convincing the fan base and most importantly the manager they might not need as much imports as first feared, and a superficial essence that ‘next year is our time’. The last couple of months have signalled redemption of the team to some degree in the eyes of the fans in that they have been able to somehow overhaul rivals Tottenham and witness Robin Van Persie only build on his growing legendary status.
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Twinned with this has been the feel-good factor in the club being linked to players deemed ‘worthy’ and ‘big name’ enough in terms of their potential signings. Podolski, Vertonghen and M’Vila would particularly reinforce the Gunners in terms of quality, and experience at national team level too fulfils the criteria of the strength of the squad as a whole with this criticism having been levelled at Wenger’s side this campaign. Many youngsters have had to step into the void left by injured first team pros and the team have suffered this term as a result. It was evident more than ever before during Arsenal’s nearly but not quite second leg against AC Milan that they didn’t have anybody on the bench who could truly add fresh impetus and spark the comeback once more.
Only time will tell, but Arsenal fans are often left between a rock and a hard place hanging on Mr Wenger’s every word with the Frenchman most recently uttering that ‘things are starting now’. Whether this means the much anticipated move for Podolski is seconds away from fruition in privacy we are yet to find out, but fellow murmurings of finding the ‘right player’ and ‘quantity-wise we will not do a lot’ only slow down the heart rate in that Wenger is unlikely to change his stubborn traditional ways. Arsenal fans don’t want Wenger to be so careful and sensible. There is always a burning desire to see him raid Europe gallivanting for ready-made stars to light up their fitting Emirates Stadium home. Annual profits and reduced debt sound great but not as great as the signing of a top class international player in the eyes of the fan.
Having Jack Wilshere back next term will be like a new signing but the Gunners particularly require an adequate back up goalkeeper, an experienced deputy for Bacary Sagna, another midfielder and another worthy support striker to replace Van Persie when he isn’t fit. I’m a strong advocate in the strength of a squad and I’m afraid if Arsenal only address a few positions, and don’t overhaul the squad as a whole this summer, the same old story will come back to bite Wenger’s men. Beyond a strong looking first eleven, there is little power in reserve and this factor should play foremost in Wenger’s mind going forward.
Who should Wenger target this summer? Would you like to see him buck the trend, signing ready-made stars instead? Follow me @ http://twitter.com/Taylor_Will1989
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