Interesting times at the club. Could be a very interesting summer.
The club have been hinting that there is up to £100m available for transfers this summer, without the additional money made available by selling players - actually more than hinting, the club have been talking with journo's and various supporters groups and have been putting the word out and about that they are expecting signings to be made this summer and that next season the team are expected to actually make a realistic title challenge. This is a very interesting pr change from Arsenal, it appears that they are putting pressure on Wenger in the final summer of his contract (he would be expecting to sit down with the board in Jan to discuss a new contract) to start actually competing with Man Utd, City and Chelski. It was also made quite clear that the £100m does not include potential wages they will be covered by revenues going forward.
Last season was a real mixed bag again. Whilst we conceeded the second least amount of goals in the league, we still finished 16 points shy of the top spot. 26 points from a possible 30 in our final 10 games was what got us the final champs league spot.
So to really compete what is the minimum Arsenal need this summer:
A decent keeper to challenge Szczesny for the number 1 shirt.
A quality Striker.
At least one new centre back.
A defensive midfielder (Arteta is great but is not a DM)
Ideally added to this list would be a central midfielder, a left sided midfielder, right back.
and Wenger actually needs to be prepared to pay top money for the players as well - no more cut priced deals.
Only time will tell if he is able to change.
I think you could Wenger £1 billion to spend but he won't change his principles - there were rumours that he was looking at Wayne Rooney but he would n't pay his wages.
If Arsenal are going to attract these top players then they will need to meet their outrageous wage demands
The club see no issue with wage demands - the real problem is can Wenger change his spots.
David Dein was famous for commenting that part of his job was convincing Arsene to spend the cash available to him. Remember this is the manager who was content to let Ashley Cole (Arguably the best English left back for 20 or 30 years) leave the club for the sake of 5k a week. :huh:
Wenger's idea of transfer fees appears to be 10 years out of date. He has always maintained that he would spend big money on "super super quality" and then has claimed for over two seasons that no one of that ilk was available. :huh:
I think that Wenger should be asked to leave the club as I do not feel he has the ambition to take the club forward
But who would replace him?
So Arsenal have offered £30m for Luis Suarez!!
Interesting but I think he wont go anywhere but Real Madrid and Liverpool will hold out for £40m - not a bad return (better than the Andy Carroll debacle)
Not sure, if it was a real attempt to snag him or if we were trying to force Real Madrid's hand over the Higuain. We are in the market for a top striker though..........
Interesting times.....
Interesting times indeed. I have a friend who supports Arsenal who believes Suarez should have been banned for life for the recent bite - i asked if Suarez ended up at Arsenal would that change his mind, he said NO. What are your feelings?
Banned for life - no
Educated and told this is his final chance - yes
Transfer to Arsenal - never!!!