A few years ago I happened across a Coroner’s Report in one of the more respectable UK broadsheets. The subject of the inquest was the untimely death of a middle-age man who’d passed away whilst availing himself of the intimate attentions of an honest lady of the night. Called upon to give evidence, she had this to say (and it was brilliantly quoted verbatim in the paper). “He gave a great sigh, your Honour, and I thought that he’d come, but he’d gorn.” I always imagine Barbara Windsor delivering the line – she’d do it perfectly. I suppose one way or another it all boils down to beginnings and endings, comings and goings, and if that is true of life then it is certainly so of the summer transfer window.
Unfortunately right now there seems precious little to cheer about, but plenty of gloom to keep the doom brigade paradoxically cheerful.
Sagna’s departure was long expected, and although anticipated it still came as a wrench to see him go, especially as he was playing as well as ever.
Although few will have mourned the passing of Bendtner or Chamakh, many are now braced for the imminent departure of Vermaalen, and this will be a sadness. It’s a hard situation for him and the club: he wouldn’t want to sign an extension to play second fiddle to Per and Kos, and much as the club would like him to stay, it seems almost foolish to pass up the chance of a decent transfer fee to keep him as a potentially disaffected bench warmer. It’s a damned if you do, damned if you don’t situation.
Although this doesn’t really count, the decision not to sign Fabregas felt like another death, and was certainly mourned as such. Actually, I am wrong there: given that it is never nice to see your own playing for another it was more like a betrayal than a death. Jealousy is a powerful emotion, and predictably enough many turned on the club for seemingly having stood impotently by while a Portuguese lothario exercised his seductive charms.
Given all of that, the rumour recently circulated that Cazorla is on his way found plenty of fertile soil within which to breed and spawn discontent. So in the space of a month, nay not so long, a little month, The Arsenal had gone from “Trophy winning side ready to embrace bright new future” to “Jaded Arsenal, happy to play second-fiddle Arsenal, congenitally unambitious Arsenal”.
Except, of course, that perception is a long way from the truth. Nothing has actually happened that any reasonably intelligent supporter couldn’t have foreseen. The club has the same players on its books, minus the eleven that have just been released, and it would be hypocrisy of the highest order for some to claim the decision to let Bendtner and Kalstrom go indicated any kind of weakness. We don’t know whether Arteta will ply his trade elsewhere (today’s latest rumour) just as we can’t know the status of any possible transfers, however much they have been touted in the press.
We can put two and two together and surmise that it is likely that we sign a right-back, but we are only guessing if we say with any certainty that we know who it will be. For sometime now it has seemed that Serge Aurier would be Bacary’s replacement, and conveniently he looked similar enough to satisfy all those who don’t really like change, but that rumour has now gone a bit lukewarm, and this, combined with the news that another reported target, Seamus Coleman, has penned a new contract with Everton, has started to cause panic in some of the supporting ranks.
Now throw in a few big money signings by the Manchesters and a home-bred exotic to Liverpool, mix with pictures of AW besporting himself on a Brazilian beach surrounded by bikini-clad babes and you have the makings of a perfect twitter storm. And all this still a few days before the transfer window actually opens, and two weeks before the world’s best players, some of whom you might hope to be genuinely Emirates bound, have done with the compelling side-show that is the World Cup.
In so far as I can know anything, I know that Arsene is keen to strengthen his starting XI and his squad. I also know that although The Arsenal has a lot of money available it does not have unlimited funds and this will have a bearing on how the club goes about its business. I think I know that a lot of scouting and a lot of negotiating will already have taken place, and if it has then I suspect at least one deal has already been done, but has yet to be made public. If it is the tradition to announce a new signing with a picture of him proudly holding his new shirt, then it makes sense to wait until he can do so with the blessing of the brand new sponsor, and this, as much as anything, could be the reason why Coleman has pledged himself to Merseyside.
In short, because I believe that the club is ambitious, and because I read between the lines, I remain as confident as ever that the club remains on an upward trajectory and is firmly committed to long term success. However, while it is all very well me thinking all of this it doesn’t do the club much good if a sizeable number feel the opposite, especially if some of those who do so are either influential bloggers or journalists.
In fact, far from it not doing much good, it can do active harm if The Arsenal brand becomes associated with a sense of tentative and parsimonious under-achievement. That is not what sponsors want to buy into, and very much not what the best players in the world want to sign up for. When will there be good news is a legitimate question to ask right now, and given that nature is all too ready to fill a vacuum, I would question how carefully the Public Relations Dept have been taking their responsibilities over the last three weeks.
There was a brief moment after the first round of World Cup group matches when everything seemed possible: Balotelli, fresh from damaging England, was surely ours, Campbell was like a shiny new toy and Aurrier was the newest assist-king on the block. All this, and we hadn’t even begun to decide between Bender or Khedira, Pogba or Vidal. Leaving aside for one moment the actual worth of these players, it was quite clear that Arsene did indeed know, and that once again North London was the sexiest place in the footballing world. It felt good to be a Gooner.
Ten days later, and that impression has faded ever so slightly and that is a pity, if only because I now find myself wasting time reassuring the faint of heart that everything is indeed all right, and feeling slightly irritated that the club doesn’t do more to reach out positively to its supporters. At times, in fact, it is as if it goes out of its way to disappoint and alarm, such is its seemingly blithe lack of concern as to how it is perceived.
I am certainly not suggesting that we should be privy to the intimate details of all our transfer dealings, for that would be absurd, but I do think that now we have heard all about the goings some reassurance that there will be the odd coming to look forward to would be nice. And if it could be Barbara Windsor who could whisper that everything was going to be alright and to just lie back and enjoy the ride, then so much the better.
Today’s post was by @foreverheady.
Positively Arsenal 
blimey what a brace, is their a positively first hat trick coming? we should be positive however a new signing, whatever the quality, will always be more sexy than a player already at the club even if all the evidence points to promotion and progression more often than not initially proving more successful than procurement. To be honest any gooner who has not learnt to expect to be surprised and not to believe anything until it happens is plain crazy. When there is no football fans often assume wins by buying playing players and other off the field activities, which is why the spuds most successful months are often June and July while we love the beautiful played in the sunny months of August and May.
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That is probably the best opening paragraph I have ever read on here! Thanks FH! Brilliant piece!
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I found the negative responses (by a few) to Arsene being pictured relaxing and playing keepy uppy on a Brasil beach hilarious and proof that some people just have to let every single thought escape from their meandering consciousness.
I admit to checking Arsenal’s newsnow feed, but if I took every single headline (the ones that I have not excluded), then I’d be expecting us to sign about 250 players and selling off all our players. And it seems these headlines are designed for those very same gullible and easily offended “fans”. The same ones who got angry about the boss having a little break!
I read someone suggesting that van Gaal has not only managed to guide Holland to the knocl out stages, but also signed two players! As if he had anything to do with those deals! Seriously, some people will find any ridiculous reason to hammer the manager.
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Well written and spot on. I dont believe the club understand how to objectively communicate when there is little to say- they arent by far the only company to suffer this but they are also seem blithely unaware of the damage done by making bold statements to their customer base (Gazidis/Keswick) and then allowing their competitors to make them look inept.
Two things to think about here- firstly Arsenal, like any football club are gifted that their customer base wont go to the competition as they are tribally tied in to the relationship. This sadly means they are less inclined to have to have a customer first policy and can in essence take the p!ss and get away with it to a degree.
Secondly, whilst it is possible that none of the mentioned candidates are on Wengers list, there generally isnt smoke without fire on all. The historical lack of transfer performance by Wenger, ie the dithering that loses key targets to competitors, remains the benchmark that all are judging by and the longer the inaction remains the more will presume that once again we will be making an arse of this window.
As transfers are a key component on a football club I would say that the board have to take responsibility for these failures. Its OK to lambast Wenger but we all know his foibles. Its the board that removed Dein, its the board that give AW absolute power and the board that seem to be happy with an increased shareprice whilst spending sod all.
By end of first week in July we will know if AW is on it this year or not, if, as usual, we drift toward the close of the window with nothing of note achieved then we will know that the poor practice of waiting for supposed bargains that only come to market when the ‘big’ clubs have done their business is actually the strategy. If it is,that will allow the naysayers huge volume to what will be at that point a relevant point of anger. We shall see?
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Excellent article FH
I’m sure it is all going on in the background somewhere…… but sometimes I do wish we’d get some news. The FA Cup glow hasn’t faded for me yet….. I hope it continues till we win something new next season.
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thanks FH.
arsenal and arsene may not have signed any player, but they certainly have been making and taking decisions. players not needed have been asked to go. which means some players must have been penciled down to take their places. the player who called to inform them of his readiness to return have been rejected. this also means the club has a game plan already in place for the new season. players the media said we are nailed on to buy have been promptly denied by arsene. which means he has once again proved that the press cant push him around. players the media reported was bound to move on has seen bids for them rejected. this also means despite the presence of samba girls around every beach in brazil, wenger is stil thinking very clearly.
i trust wenger to do the best in the interest of the club. not the those the media want us to buy or those that feel the need to play for us because they support the club or like the colour. or those that puma feels we need to buy.
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Ian, I’m afraid you have taken some mythical facts and run with them.
Arsene dithers? We don’t know this. In fact it seem very unlikely.
This board did not remove Dein, With his underhanded antics he effectively removed himself.
Arsene is all powerful for good reason.
The reason we have missed targets was 100% (ish) down to finance.
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its great seeing wenger so relaxed despite all pressure. its also heart warming that wenger is still very fit at his age. is it an indication that he stay here beyond 70 years?
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People love to believe in myths!
Any Arsenal Expert/Mythmaker who does not expect shenanigans involving the Arsenal & at least some of their transfers to go on into the last week of the window is certainly no expert worth referring to: *Scream*”I know what you did last summer” and that was to make a very public Arse of oneself. Uncredible.
You have signings like Podolski and Mertesacker, made over many many months even seasons involving complex friendly arrangements (watch and learn Bunga Bunga Barca….) and these signings can and possibly were concluded before the window in which they were announced began.
But you don’t need to be an expert to understand that any Big Money signings made by Arsenal will involve a fair amount of stealth and subterfuge, what with the petro-clubs tryin their best to track Arsene Vulture’s movements as he sweeps his way across the plains. These Experts went crazy over Dick Law doing his job, but I bet they’re happy with Campbell now: Uncredible.
There are many things we an critique about the club, but at least it is not a Glasgow Rangers type vehicle / laundromat (still v.little coverage on any of the 24/7 sports broadcasters of the ongoin stupidity up there, that which you do hear is misleading) which is what many clubs have been transformed into: that is the bottom line, it’s not difficult to understand or appreciate.
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I am sorry George but that opine is as speculative as mine and I am basing my post on what I can see, not your so called mythical perspective. We DO know Wenger has dithered in the past from other club and player comments that suggest a very real interest that is then withdrawn when the value becomes more than he sees as acceptable. The point here is there is nothing wrong with that persee and you may be right that it is financially linked BUT but clubs of note get the players they want- not the best bargains. It must be remembered that the ‘myth’ that we have been bereft of revenue for the last 7 years has been disproven- we have had between 70m and 100m in the coffers during that time- mostly driven by smart property investments by the club.
The board did remove Dein, as a major shareholder he was within his rights to investigate other funding options for the club. The fact that others did not support his position made his position untenable but he was not underhanded in any way as far as I can see. He was removed from his role because the board felt they had reached an impasse and would not accept the position he would not budge from.
No – AW being all powerful is not the positive thing you presume- and I am a huge fan of Wenger. History shows you that when he worked alongside a power broker he was more successful. You clearly feel that he can balance training/tactics/player sales/player purchases/ media commitments/ managing. I do not. I think he is one of the finest managers in the world and as such should be given the space to be so.
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We don’t need to ‘debate’ the above gibberish on PA: last summer blew that lame ducky out of the water (Gunnersauros rising from the depths).
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If you repeat something over and over people will copy you: this is true with children and it is also true with adults.
If the media, I the car of football news media with a particular political philosophy*, is saturated with a particular narrative people will believe it regardless of anything else. There is plenty of evidence to support this understanding.
Watching the presidents of Ghana and Uruguay get involved in the WC I think it is reasonable to repeat that sport, in this case football, and politics do mix. Whether we like it or not.
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Dither is a highly pejorative word that connotes feeble-minded hesitancy. To withdraw interest in a purchase when you believe the price has risen to the extent that not only has the value gone but that to continue would be profligate is a strong-minded position to adopt. Language is important and the choice of words is seldom neutral.
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< in the case of football news media generally most of the sources do have a political philosophy, not forgetting funding.
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Iain, you are presenting guesses as gospel like facts.
That’s not how we roll here.
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Tottenham didn’t dither in the transfer market, look how well that worked!
except for stalling till the last minute on Bale. they had an inkling that Arsenal were in in for Özil money paths before and thought it would be impossible to for him to fly to London in time for a medical before they finally release Bale.
In fact Özil had done a medical for Arsenal in Germany weeks beforehand.
The above is just one example of how Arsenal go about their business. Discretely and effectively.
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now now Finsbury. To what are you referring as gibberish? Whats PA by the way- player acquisition? Public Affairs? Private Assistant?
Uncredible?? Did you mean Incredible
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Double Canister- I do believe I am quite free to have an opinion and who might you be to tell me ‘thats not how we roll here’. We are both fans of The Arsenal so open your mind to healthy debate rather than your own perspective being the only path to follow.
Secondly mate- read my post please- I have provided a summation of what is driving the negativity for the naysayers- I havent said anyone should follow the Spuds and Levy’s farcical approach so why the daft comparison?
I repeat what I said before- it is difficult for the club to communicate when nothing is happening and foreverheady is spot on, the vacuum that this nothing creates for fans is difficult. Thats it. If you think the Arsenal are top bananas at transfers then good for you chap- I just dont think we are
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…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rat5DvCf6qs
…
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lol fins … aerodynamic wenger
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It’s the dithering oscillating resonating Arsene Wenger flying machine!
Alsatian efficiency, fortunately free of BS (that’d be Bull Shit*).
bull·shit (blsht) Vulgar Slang
n.
1. Foolish, deceitful, or boastful language.
2. Something worthless, deceptive, or insincere.
3. Insolent talk or behavior.
v. bull·shit also bull·shat (-sht) or bull·shit·ted (-shtd), bull·shit·ting, bull·shits
v.intr.
1. To speak foolishly or insolently.
2. To engage in idle conversation.
v.tr.
To attempt to mislead or deceive by talking nonsense.
adj.
interj.
Used to express extreme displeasure or exasperation.
bullshitter n.
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Of course sometimes AFC deliberately engage in a bit of BS. All a part of the game I guess. Ivan Gazidis’ comments on spending at the beginning of last summer: Cheeky. Very cheeky. Takes big bollocks to commit to making a statement like that without having everything dotted and signed. Not many would’ve enjoyed the unbelievably hilarious events of the 31st August 2013 more then IG. I doubt we wil ever see as funny a transfer saga again. Shame the Groaners missed it! Ah well…
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i think the correct term for that fins is : plongeon
the landing is epic…in fact the whole move…the jump the hangtime and the palms /knees for landing and the header gives reverse swing at the ball….science
and as for first touch…puts ox per jenks to shame really….64..haaaha
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Iain
I am as eager as anyone for the club the sign new players. In fact I am rarey, if ever satisfied with the numbers we end up with!
But this whole Wenger dithers schtick is bollocks and a bit like the old WMD lies that were used to invade Iraq (steady on!)
Just look at the dates we signed players in the past and you will see that the “Wenger dithers” thing is based on very dodgy misinformation. I mean, didnt we sign Giroud, Cazorla AND Podolski very early not 2 years ago?
If you have an agenda you will only use the information that appears to back up your manifesto.
Let’s face it, it’s all getting hysterical because the mancs, scousers and chavs have signed a few players.
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So the club not engaging in fervent noisy and early transfer activity is “difficult” for the fans ?
That is a new one on me.
My ideal transfer window would consist of total silence from manager, directors, CEO, players broken only by a budgie cage style unveiling of the new signings the morning of the Palace match.
The cloth is whipped back to reveal……………..,
Three new players perched on a bar, a striker, right back and reserve keeper, decked out in red and white, chirruping contentedly as Arsene feeds them a handful of seed.
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And great writing Tim – very funny
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It must be remembered that the ‘myth’ that we have been bereft of revenue for the last 7 years has been disproven- we have had between 70m and 100m in the coffers during that time- mostly driven by smart property investments by the club.
=================
Sorry, that is just absolute BOLLOCKS. You do have angenda! Didnt take long for it to emerge did it sunshine?
If you believe that then by extension you are stating that Wenger has refused to adequately strengthen his squad out of some masochistic urge to make his life and team’s chances as difficult as possible. Given his early spending sprees and his subsequent huge outlay on Mesut, I think it’s pretty safe to to say that is yet another agenda driven lie.
There’s more;
“The fact that others did not support his position made his position untenable but he was not underhanded in any way as far as I can see. ”
—————-
So, you can forgive Dein for jumping into bed any billionaire with a winning smile, but somehow the current board and manager are out of order for trying to keep us afloat and competitive without having to resort to short term fat cats and sugar daddies/ The LONG TERM health of the club has been sorted thanks to their prudence.
And for me personally, what I find abhorrent is the fact the club financed the move to the Grove without the aid of any fat cat, yet after such a fantastic achievement, we should just drop out knickers and allow some rich twat to take over after the hard graft has been done.
Has any sugar daddy actually built a new stadium for his play thing?
Dein flogging his shares was the last straw for me too. Usmanov fucked him off as soon as he got his mits on them too. Karma is a bitch.
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The incessant nature of “news” on the net, where whole stories are introduced, developed, pooh pooed and forgotten about in the space of an hour, fuels this impetuous, impatient hysteria! I know, because I am afflicted by it!
IF the likes of newsnow didnt exist, would we even be that arsed yet by a lack of activity? I mean, it is getting to the point where a manager will be sacked in may for not strengthening his squad for the upcoming season!
The late late show of last season’s signing of Mesut will colour a lot of Gooner’s thinking and IF the club leave things very very late and/or the new signings do not fit the groupthink ideals, then of course there will be disquiet and much wringing of hands. (Then again, there is always something for some Gooners to find to whine and bitch about).
For the team to have as good a chance as possible, I do hope we make signings as early as possible, so they can be assilimlated into the group quickly. But that might not be possible for every signing. Especially with the world cup and subsequent rest period needed afterwards.
I have lost count of the number of strikers and right backs we are supposedly signing!
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Another excellent piece by FH perfectly capturing the angst that many well thinking gooners feel about the transfer window.
It is useful for all of us to be reminded that the transfer window is a totally artificial construct created by the premier leage in 2002-03, that is only 12 years ago. In other words it is completely alien to a free market. No wonder it is now thoroughly manipulated by the main players especially agents and clubs with external non-football wealth as well as those with excessive debts. A combination of artificial deadlines and and too much money chasing too few players has resulted in clubs like our hapless friends, the Spuds, blowing massive amounts of money on worthless players. Driving this nonsense is the commercial media and blogs, who like touts at the betting parlour, whipping up a frenzy among the footballing public, especially supporters of AFC, about the sure-fire picks we have missed. Reminds me of the sure-winners the touts at the race track urged me to wager-on in return for a small share of my winnings but who disappear in the crowd when that sure pick flounders down the back-stretch. So instead of Arsene being hailed for his strong will, he is accused of being a ditherer because he is disciplined and vigilant about the true valuation of a player. Thus he was villified last year for passing on Higuain who almost overnight moved from being a £20M to a £30M player.
Just a reminder from the stock market; the most successful investors are those who act contrary to public sentiment. Ergo, the majority of us are losers in the stock market. I am willing to bet Wenger, Ivan and the club hierarchy are fully aware of this reality and have no problem acting contrary to the majority sentiment of supporters. (The Iain’s of this world reflect this reality. It is a majority opinion but in the long run it will be proved wrong.)
In closing, it is useful to quote the very bright and perceptive Tim Stillman (Little Dutch) in his latest piece on Arseblog:
“…. transfer windows are portrayed and perceived as a contest in themselves. You can see it pervade many discussions around a club’s transfer activity. The actual footballing value, in terms of tactics and player personalities, of new players has given way to the impression of activity or ‘making a statement.’
“To borrow a Wengerism, a new signing has effectively become ‘like a trophy’ (not for everyone of course, but for many). A temporary lift during the summer months, something to parade in an act of one-upmanship in lieu of actual results.”
I am willing to bet that with all our rivals outspending us this summer we will remain in the top-four and even make a credible run at winning the League.
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My work here is done.
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I had a discussion over breakfast with a couple of (Man U supporting) mates. They feel that the outlay for Shaw was totally crackers and pretty desperate, while the same amount for an untried Spaniard was also not well received.
Conversely I maintained that even if we didnt sign any players (WTF?) BUT all our best players stayed fit, we would have a better season than the one just finished. Basically, I am not advocating not making any signings, but the fact that signings alone will not make the difference in terms of a title challenge, trophy win etc.
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You’re such a shit stirrer George.
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George @ 2:38 pm
Mind you dislocate your shoulder reaching around with that back-slapping.
How you keep us together despite being so self-opinionated is the work of a genius!
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Just what in the blazing saddles are Arsene & Gunnersaurus up to whilst everything around them degrades into chaos?
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Another superb piece from FH
Iain
Many of us on here demand hard evidence for many of the accusations made about Wenger. I heard Henry Winter describe Wenger as a ditherer on the Sunday Supplement but he did not provide any evidence for this. Also, do you think that Wenger is so powerful that the Board cower under the table when he enters the boardroom?
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A truly beautifully written piece, this.
If anything like this was written in the press, I’d buy it. (Not really, I’d read it online, but you get my drift, hopefully).
Those of you buying into the “dithering” shite might choose to bear in mind that the whole press/blog thingy is about denigrating Arsenal. Almost all of them.
It started so many years ago and has gathered pace. Slag off Arsenal. Lie about Arsenal. Make anyone with feelings for Arsenal unhappy. You bought it. Tut.
Here’s an accurate piece:
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I have been critical of Wenger over the years for various things. But I do think the vast majority of criticism is based purely on the fact that he has been in “office” for so long that people are sick of him, want change for change sake and therefore completely baseless “myths” get treated like facts by those that consider themselves disaffected, or hard done to.
Bit like Blair really, although I would hate to put Wenger in the same box as that c***!
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Fugsake!! C’mon Chile!!!
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Good game.
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Get in Sanchez!
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Arsenal XI next season (or Wenger/Gazidis/Law/Chips should be sacked);
Casillas
Debuchy Lovren Richards Isla
Martinez Schneiderlin
Sanchez Ozil Griezmann
Benzema
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30 mill for an unproven player? 3 international caps. 0 premier league/league/domestic/champions league/Europa league cups won 0 champions league/ Europa caps. 1 full premier league season (just 1). This is y? England will never have good players @ the top. Beside the top 4 who can afford to waste such amount on unproven player when I can buy 3 players with better statistics and talent to meet the price tags than just a passport for show. Can anyone tell me where zaha is? Or moyes? Just to name a few.
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Swap Ozil for Fabregas and I’m in Dex.
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You’re on George.
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I see on Twitter we should buy Sanchez and Vidal at any price or Wenger is a wimp. Some of these spendthrifts are big bloggers, mind you.
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In fact I think we should sign Jackson Martinez, Javi Martinez and have Roberto Martinez as the kit man.
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The best opportunity to sign Vidal was when he was playing in Germany. I really wanted AW to try and get him before Juve did!
Now? His price tag will be ridiculous. And anyway, I have my heart set on Javi M!
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I kept telling Vengarghhhhhhh to sign Sanchez (he’s quick!) when he was at Udinese but the cheeky blighter never listens to me. *sobs*
Praise be to the football furies that we have Keown in the plundit’s seat not ruining such a good game. I’m not biased.
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How much Wonga did City burn on Jo?
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Right said Fred, Im swapping you for Jo…
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