Source - http://www.sportsvibe.co.uk/news/fo...r-failing-to-sign-a-midfield-enforcer-11648/? Tell us something we don't know Emmanuel. Actually, better tell Arsene I think one can hardly fail to notice that everywhere you look, seasoned campaigners of the sport wonder why it is that we simply do not engage in the obvious to address our shortcomings. Any manager would be expected to do that and over a six going on seven month period, to have resolved the matter. Not us though where the manager appears to have a job for as long as he wishes and a CEO who looks at the club as a business model while the manager earns £7m per annum as the club struggles and the CEO himself draws a 60% bonus. I won't go into the subject of duty of care.
I think the reason Wenger did'nt go after the likes of Barton or scott parker is because he wanted Yann M'Villa. But as is soo often the case we missed out. Here comes the RANT... Wenger has always been extremely specific when it comes to transfer targets but whereas 10-15 years ago he would more often than not land his man, we are now in a situation where we regularly miss our number one targets. For example... this summer, after a botched attempt to keep Fabregas and Nasri... 1. CREATIVE MIDFIELDER. (Fabregas Replacement) We bid for Mario Goetze.>>> bid was rejected (Dortmund wanted more money) >> Rather than bargain we then went in for Lucho Gonzalez >>> Bid was rejected.>>> We go straight in for Gourcuff >>>again..Bid was rejected (Lyon wanted more money) & and Arsenal were unsure about Gourcuff's fitness >>>one day left in transfer market >>> Arsenal sign Arteta - without having even enough time time for a medical!! (this makes no sense considering the Gourcuff situation) 2.WINGER/ATTACKING MID. (Nasri Replacement) We Bid for Alvarez.>>>wait for a while..(several weeks) and Inter Come in with a rival bid>>>Alvarez signs for Inter. >>> We Bid for Juan Mata >>> Valencia want more money >>> We don't put in a second - Despite his well publicised impending contract negotiations.>>> Juan Mata signs a new deal with Valencia - without 'get out clause' that was previously in his last contract (which would have allowed us to purchase him for less than £15 Million).>>>Chelsea bid £23 Million for Mata >> We miss out again. >>> Arsenal enquire about Eden Hazard yet make no actual bid.>>> Arsenal sign Benayoun on LOAN. 3. DEFENSIVE MID. Arsenal do nothing all Summer.>>> Last week of transfer Market we bid for Yann M'Villa >>> Bid is rejected (Renn's want more money) >>> Transfer window closes. 4. CENTREBACK. We launch an early bid for Gary Cahill( around £10 Million) >>> Bid is rejected>>> We launch bid for Phil Jagielka>> bid is rejected (Everton want more money - of course)>>> Wait around for a bit>>> Sign Mertesaker on the last day of the transfer market. Two weird things about the way we do business recently: 1. We dont converse with the other club - we table a bid. Then go quiet. THATS NOT HOW A NEGOTIATION WORKS!! 2. Rather than fight to get the player we really want, we quickley change targets. Remember the days when we would identify the next potential World Star and not stop until we had signed them?? - it used to be Wenger's strength. (but i guess we had David Dean to do the negotiating for him) Im watching Liverpool vs United right now and there's two players on the pitch we tried and failed to sign. Suarez and Smalling - both would have been absolutely brilliants signings and worth every penny of their transfer fee's.
Thanks for the illuminating response Mr Bear. I agree and have heard it said that our negotiating team of Gazidis and Dick Law are not as sharp as David Dein.
No Probs, sorry for the 'rant like' nature of the post. I just find it infuriating how often we seem to miss our targets these days. But yeah, back when Dean was in charge of these things, we seemed to be far more efficient. On the subject of 'midfiled enforcer' I do think M'villa would be absolutely perfect but it seems most of Europe's big clubs are now interested.
Excellent rant thebear Our transfer strategy was completely bonkers this summer, you have to wonder whether we actually intended to get some of the players we bid for or were just doing it as a publicity stunt.
I think some people see someone who is aggressive and then naturally assume that they would be perfect for us.
...is a striker. He plays outwide alot sure but then soo did Chamakh for most of his time at Bordeaux. Arshavin and Walcott get played out wide at Arsenal, neither are truly suited to the role. He's still more of a striker than a Winger/ Attacking mid. Also agree on the whole Joey Barton thing. He's not what we need. Good player though.
The fact that Petit said we should sign Joey Barton is bad enough, the fact that he isn't even a DM should tell you everything you need to know about this interview
My biggest problem with Arsenal's transfer dealings was at the end of the 2007/08 season. Out: Flamini Diarra Gilberto In:.... Promoted: Song, Denilson
I'm afraid I rate Song pretty highly too. Just it took him until 2009/10 before we could say he was any good. Denilson isn't an Arsenal player. He would be great in a 4-3-3 in Spain or Italy but certainly not here in England.
