The media's job is to sell copy. Nothing more and nothing less. At which point everything in a story is dialled up to 11 to wring out any potential drama.
It's extremely unlikely that many hacks would present a balanced debate over whether giving a 31 year old 'flyer', who has a history of disciplinary issues, a £350k, 3 year contract was in the club's best interests. His potential departure was presented as the end of days and to be prevented at almost any cost. Clubs in decline come under this pressure, especially when income streams are under real pressure. Had Arsenal qualified for the CL for the following season, things might have been very different.
Just a few weeks later, the signing of Willian, a 32 year old, on another 3 year contract, was presented as a major success by the very same media. Arsenal had secured a major 'victory' over Spurs, who refused to contemplate giving a player of his age, a contract like Arsenal handed out.
The majority of the media and fans want transfer stories and signings. The bigger the better. Balanced debate doesn't have a part to play. Everything's a victory...until it isn't anymore, when it's a calamity. Most of it's absolute raging bollocks, but that's what consumers have come to expect. It is the modern way. I don't have any social media interaction, as most of it's even worse.
In truth, given their ages and skill sets, both the Willian and Aubameyang deals were a year too long and about £100k a week too much. Given his performance in the previous season, the Aubameyang deal was the more understandable. I never understood the clamour to sign Willian, from us or Arsenal. He looked done to me, as I said on here at the time.
