For me the ideal situation for Arsenal from this point going forwards would be finishing third above spurs and chelsea. Then having an active summer with the signings of Podolski, Gotze and Vertonghen, and the sales of Almunia, Squillaci and co. And to top it off RVP signs a new contract and all our players are fit for the start of the new campaign. Ah to dream... If we do finish 3rd i'll be really pleased with the team, no-one thought it possible with the poor start to the season we had. And it looks like Podolski will be comming to Arsenal and if a couple more decent players are brought in RVP may well sign a new contract. Next season we could be a trophy winning team once again. If this happened i'm sure the AW critisism would die down and the atmosphere at the club would be fantastic, that is what we need to start winning again! If we ended up 4th and RVP signs a new contract i'll be pretty happy though!
Almunia, so unloved we want to sell him twice . Funny - when I read your post on my computer it read Almunia, Almunia, Squillachi etc - still does!
The man is so passionate that he repeats it twice! Even giving players like Almunia and Squishy for free would be a major feat!
a big problem with the reshuffling of the squad is the re-arrangement of the current wage structure. while we agree that poorer players are paid over-inflated wages in comparison to their importance to the team, addressing this is a long-term problem. new players coming in can be paid to reflect their true worth, but those existing players are still going to be paid disproportionately high. the problem can be addressed somewhat with a mass clearout this summer of underperforming players, and bringing in new talent on the new wage structure, but the issue will persist with several years of disparity between the current players who are on silly wages, and newcomers who have to settle for less. that could be a problematic area for a few seasons to come as the wage structure readjusts, if in fact, they are adjusting it.
can you afford to get rid of bendtner? who is the best player, not just at arsenal, but in the whole wide world. no team will be able to afford him. (removes tongue from within cheek).
