Magic man very graciously accepted that you were right about the loyalty issue, but he was also correct to point out the gulf in quality between Arsenal and Spurs when Sol left. It is not the same as the difference in quality between Arsenal and Utd today. Yes I do believe that Arsenal have a chance of winning the league or the champions league, Spurs when sol left them, were a mid table team with no hope of winning anything.
Loyal players I can name off the top of my head - LeTissier, Shearer, Gerrard (will give him the benefit of the doubt). After that im struggling. In fairness to Neville, Giggs, Scholes, Terry etc, its difficult to judge loyalty on players to who, loyalty has never been tested. Realistically none of those players would have had reason to consider leaving their clubs (there are many other examples). But unfortunately its part and parcel of the mega buck premier league that we follow. Its easy to forget that the players who run out for a team are a) usually not fans of that team and b) employees of their club. b) is the important one - players are employees, even assets, of a football club. Their being at a club is only worth while if they want to be at the club and the club wants them. For every Van Persie or Nasri asking for a transfer there is a player being thrown out the door because they dont fit the clubs' plans. Before judging, think very seriously how you would act if you were good enough to play for valencia and Real Madrid came knocking on your door offering you more money. (I am aware these arent exact like for like comparisons but you get the idea). Yes, Arsenal gave RVP their support and their time and their facilities to nurture him back to full fitness, but you all know as well as I do that they would not have done this if they didnt want him. Loyalty is a two way street, and clubs are only loyal to players when it suits them. Unforuntaely for the fans, it works the same the other way. Van Persie, like many before him, was offered more money at a club more likely to win trophies. Neither club involved is a club he has any personal affiliation with. 'Player loyalty' is a romantic notion which has come from many years ago when players represented the town they grew up in or the team they have always supported. One of the disadvatanges of having so many talented foreign players in the league is they wont have any ties, no matter what they may say and no matter what anybody chooses to believe, to any one club. RVP is far from the first and he will be far from the last. Arsenal are too big and too good a club to let this hurt them unduely, particularly for as long as arsene wenger is in charge.
I think Le Tissier wins on a Talent/Club Status basis. He ruined his international career to keep us in the premier league and could have played for any of the top clubs.
Matt was a big fish in a small pond and didn't have the bottle to test himself with the big boys. Nowt to do with loyalty, just a lack of balls.
If that's what you want to believe then you believe it buddy I spose that's why he fronted a consortium that would have saved our club if our current owners hadn't stepped in.
I certainly wasn't meaning to have a dig at Magic Man so am sorry if I came across rudely. My only real point is that what makes Arsenal fans angry at RVP is his professed loyalty and love of all things Arsenal. Campbell was worse...we got nothing for him and he was our captain who walked into Highbury. Arsenal being title contenders was irrelevant. He lied for over 2 years and did the one thing he promised he wouldn't. As to Arsenal being contenders now...your top players clearly don't think they are... I don't disagree with your fans feeling angry ... I find it funny ... like gooners do when it happens to us ... I guess my point was similar to some of the others ... but not made as well ... it's been happening for a long time and personally speaking I think Campbell pushed the door wide open and others have been only to happy to follow in his footsteps
Lacks class? For believing (like many do) that he was afraid to test himself at a big club? You are clearly a knob, so run along son.
No ... for claiming he had no bottle like it was a fact...maybe he was just loyal, happy and wanted to be remembered as a legend and actually loved being a southampton player. I may be a knob mate...but name calling does not make you right.
I have no idea how to answer without sounding like I'm taking the piss but here goes; Henry himself said he wanted to join Barca to win the CL. Fabregas would not have been homesick if you'd got him from Saville (excuse my spelling) in my opinion...he was set on joining Barca to win trophies. Then there is the city posse of Toure', Nasri and clichy and now RVP. All have won trophies after leaving in the past 6 years. I ain't being smug cos it's happened to us enough times.
Mmmmmm...they were arsenal players when they thought that Arsenal would not win anything before they decided to leave and become ex players. But then again this is going nowhere as a discussion so have good evening
The first 3 are good examples, especially Totti and Del Piero. Puyol and Xavi played for the best team in the world though, there wasn't necessarily 'greener grass' out there from their perspective. Totti, always in demand, stuck with a team that was never really a favorite to win anything, and Del Piero stuck with his club in it's darkest hours, when there were plenty clubs willing to bail him out.
If they hadn't left then they wouldn't think that Arsenal wouldn't win anything. The opinions of ex players don't really count as saying Arsenal's top players don't think Arsenal won't win anything
It was not always like that. In the early to mid 2000's, Barca was a bit of mess and they were nowhere near Madrid and could not even get into the CL in some of those years. Pretty sure they went five or six years without winning a trophy as well.
