Gordon Simpson from the echo (yes i know it's the echo) has just tweeted saying that Chamberlain 'definately isn't having a medical at Arsenal'.
Can people please stop throwing themselves off the Titanic before it's even sunk? A few days ago in the light of the fantastic result against Leeds (which, shock horror, Alex played literally no part in) people were dancing in the streets dreaming of bright lights and better things to come. Now, with the news Alex is off to Arsenal (which still isn't finalised) people are acting as if our season is over and we might as well all go home. I have to question just how utterly ridiculous this is considering we are getting upwards of 10 million pounds for a 17 year old who has never played football above the third division. Can we please just take into account just what exactly that is? We are getting a load of money for a kid who isn't even that important to us. Alex got injured at Charlton 10 games before the end of last season. How did those 10 games without him go? Oh yeah, I remember! We won 9 of them! A 90% win record without Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain does not, to me, indicate somebody the team would be stranded with out. I'm not denying the guy's talent - several times last season did we see him destroy the left back, do well to get himself on the scoresheet or set someone up (granted a few times we saw him struggle to get past a fullback who wasn't afraid to give him a kick, but he is just a kid) but still we performed better without him in the team - cause and effect we don't know, but it certainly showed he's not vital. The game against Leeds further backed this up. So if you're arguing that we shouldn't take £10m and sprint straight to the bank then I'm honestly not sure why. For the people now baying for Alex's blood - why? Put yourself in his shoes. You're a 17 year old boy who doesn't support Southampton (you have to keep this in mind, he's different to you!). You've been told by one of the biggest clubs in the world that they have headhunted you to play for them and are willing to shell out £10 million to get you to wear their shirt. They are willing to multiply your wage packet by god knows how much. Are you really, honestly going to stick it out at a second division team instead of signing over to the glory and glimmering lights of Arsenal?! I'd be very surprised if put on the spot like that, anybody would say know. I wish him the best, I wish Walcott the best and I wish Bale the best. And let's not forget... in the last few years we've had those three players go off to top Premiership clubs. Don Cortese is actually putting more emphasis on youth from now on. Really... is Alex going to be the last wonderkid to come through? I think not.
good luck to the lad, lets use the money wisely and concentrate on the football rather than when arsenal are going to finally lodge a decent bid for him or the lads father is bleeting about moving to arsenal. To be fair if we get £12 mill for a player that has never played at championship level and we have produced is better for the club than if he plays with us for the next season and turns out not tobe so valuable or snaps a cruciate and is never the same again....
I agree that it is fate that he will one day leave us. However, I just feel he is making the wrong choice. League One to Premier League is a huge step up and I think a season of getting used to the Championship would do him the world of good. If he does go this transfer window, good luck to him but at the moment, it is just speculation.
TBH, i don't think Adkins will spend any of this money. He will just get the people he is after, centre-back etc. Hope he spends it though.
Can i just ask people a question,are you not at all pissed off about how he went about this? i.e newspapers and photos.
£12 million for a player untested outside League One? Sounds a good deal. AOC is good but for that money, we can build a good championship team. Plus why keep an unhappy player at the club? Get rid when the best deal comes in
£12million is good. But does anyone know how much we're getting though?! It could be installments (Because its Arsenal, where they never pay the rest of the money. Like Walcott)
Seems like Arsenal fans aren't happy about this either: http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/73501-Alex-Chamberlain
if its true, then I'm sorry he cant see the potential in our 5 yr plan. But if he is determined to warm his bottom on the Arsenal bench, or be played out of position in Wengers single minded desire to do it "his way" then I trust NC to get the best deal possible, and I trust NA to spend it wisely, when the time is right. the truth is that you cannot keep a player who doesn't want to be here, and in forcing him you can destroy team morale. if true, and I wont believe it until its on the OS then best luck to the lad, shame on his father, and lets look to the future. COYRs!!
That's not "because it's Arsenal", that's "because it's football". Very little deals these days are up front. Anyway, if it's £12m, I could see that being £7-8m up front, £2m on appearances, £1m on goals, and £1m when he plays for England.
this is all a bit mental..... the big difference between us selling AOC and Bale/walcott is rupert didnt have the balls to bargain like NC does - at the end of the day if those clubs come calling then at least while we are in the championship we cant resist, the best we can do is get the most money and best deal for SFC, now correct me if im wrong but more money than Bale more money than Walcott for someone who has played only in L1 and a 40% sell on fee...... now tell me who is getting the best deal? considering we already have a good team, dont need the money etc etc.... BUT this will allow us to go for even more quality signings and really push on. face it until were back in the prem u cant stop this happening so deal with it and be pleased it wasnt ruper/leon saying YES PLEASE to 12p and a packet of space raiders for him
Good. makes a change someone bossing Arshole Wenger about instead of the other way round. Why do Arsenal perve up little kids for?
I highly doubt that Chamberlain is having a medical there, I think its just another pile of crap from Sky Sports once again.
