I doubt that many sensible Arsenal fans (oxymoron?) would actually disagree with him, at the moment. Their board seems happy lining their pockets and using the stadium as an excuse for their lack of spending and failure to keep their best players. It was a genuine reason for a while, but I don't think that it holds up any more, especially when they're charging so much to their fans. I agree with Spurf on Jol, too. Nice to see things working out for him.
Aside from the snide remark about Arsenal fans, I would agree with Jol too. There's no way that we can compete with the financial muscle of City, Chelsea and Utd. I think since our move from Highbury there were genuine reasons why we couldn't spend big, so we went down another route. For all the cries of 'failed youth project' mainly from our own fans, those teams actually did really well and but for some cruel luck, probably would have won a trophy. I actually think we're punching above our weight at the moment. Despite some of the cries of 'Wenger out' I think it's because of him, not despite him that we're consistently in the top four. It's my firm belief that without him, we would have already finished outside of the Champions League places. I think some people underestimate just how difficult it is to finish in the top four, just ask Spurs. And spending big isn't necessarily a guaranteed route into the cherished positions either, just look at Liverpool. Now, I think we're in a position where we probably can spend. Certainly not on the same level as the Oil baron funded clubs, but certainly to raise our level. Our CEO talks about 'keeping our powder dry' but for how long ? We're falling behind the top three and it could reach a level where we can't spend our way back into contention. I think our board need to be bold, they are too conservative and they are placing a lot of faith in FFP to redress the issue. However in the meantime, we are slipping further behind. There's nothing controversial in what Jol is saying, it's common sense and it's an honest assessment of the situation. I think you'll find that most Gooners would wholeheartedly agree with him.
Sorry, but being one place above us, just ten games into the season does not constitute a power shift. You have nearly two decades of consistently achieving more than us for that to happen. Although there were one or two on our board last year who proclaimed the shift had happened, before they ran off with their tails between their legs
It would have happened last season if Harry boy had kept his eye on the job he had, instead of the one he coveted!.. Re Martin Jol. I met him once when he was our manager. My brother knows him personally as he lives in the Dutch town (waalwijk) where Jol was once the manager of the local team. He seemed a genuinely nice guy.,
As I mentioned, you have nearly two decades to catch up on, of consistently achieving more than Arsenal to claim any sort of power shift.
Yes, I suppose power shift is the wrong term. Probably more that we are now your equals. We certainly should have finished way ahead of you last year. This year I think will also be close.
...and you finished 1 point ahead of us, with your one-man-team still playing for you. Who do you have now, to make up the difference?
