Here is something else that goes unnoticed. Our wages peaked at £160m a year under Wenger (first team squad) and our squad value was assessed at £550m Since Arteta joined our wages have come down to £122m (including recent Saka and Martinelli upgrades) and our squad value is now just shy of £1bn - second only to City in world football (and not by much). He's spent only half of what City have to build the squad too. Given where we were Josh Kroenke, Edu and Arteta have done a remarkable job to turn things around.
I guess squad value will have a relative increase due to natural inflation, and also the fact that year on year PL players seem to cost incrementally more. So the squad value under Wenger at £550m would likely have a higher figure by today's standards. But it's undeniable that the quality in the squad now is far superior to the squad that Wenger had assembled in his latter days. I'm not sure what the relative figures are for spending under Wenger and Arteta, but it's a moot point really considering the relative difference in prices these days. When Wenger was in charge, the £90m+ transfer fees were only for the very top players and now we're looking at spending £100m on a DM That said, I'm glad we're dining at the top table and are able to negotiate for these players. As you say though, compared to the money that City have laid out for their squad, Arteta has managed to assemble ours for far less. What Arteta has also done, which in some respects is far more important, is that he's united the fans and rekindled the soul of the club. He's an Arsenal fan, ex player and is emotionally invested in the club. And that is priceless
If West Ham turn that down, I wouldn't blame Arsenal at all for walking away from the deal. That is a grotesque amount of money for a player and it absolutely smashes our transfer record by a mile. As great as Rice is, this is the sort of money you spend on a generational player. Which I'm not sure he is yet.
Absolutely mental figure of money. I hope Edu and Kronke have told Sullivan that will be our final offer.
If they turn that down then I don't want him. Uneasy about that much money, not sure he's THAT good. However, also never seen Enzo have a great game either and he was extortionate. Urgh. At least he's a leader I suppose. Getting the personality and mental traits as well as the football ability.
Agree with much of the sentiment i am hearing from Arsenal fans that we should make this the last offer and walk away if WHU do not score the offer today. This is already way too much money for a DM and it’s an extremely risky signing that could backfire. Risks are ok, but given we’ve also taken a risk with Havertz , we need things to click early next year.
I just saw this. Now watch the media hammer us for paying 100m for a player. Not like Chelsea paid £105 million for Enzo, £90 Million for Mudryk.. United paid £80m for Maguire and £90m for Pogba. City 100m for Grealish.. etc..
It is a lot of money, but not only are we spending on a Premier League proven club captain and an England international - we’ve fended off interest from Man City and Bayern Munich in the process. This signing (assuming we can get it done) sends out a huge statement to the footballing world.
If this goes through, it is absolutely crazy how long this squad should last us for given how young they'll all be. If Partey also goes and is replaced by Lavia that makes it even younger. Ramsdale 25 White 25 Saliba 22 Gabriel 25 Zinchenko 26 Rice 24 Havertz 24 Martinelli 22 Odegaard 24 Saka 21 Jesus 26 Turner 29 Timber 22 Tierney 26 Kiwior 23 Partey 30 Smith Rowe 22 Vieira 23 Trossard 28 Nelson 23 Not even in matchday squad so don't really care: Balogun - getting sold Tomiyasu - keep Jorginho - keep Elneny - sell Nketiah - keep Cedric - sell Tavares - sell Lokonga - sell Pepe - sell Marquinhos - sell I also really want us to start a league cup match with Turner, Timber, Tierney, Tavares and Tomiyasu as a keeper and back four just for the comedy commentary. Seriously to thin the herd too. At least six of those non-matchday ten (not including Balogun who's clearly already going to be leaving) should be moved on.
Definitely need these players to integrate and gel before the season starts. The US tour is perfect for Rice, Havertz and hopefully Timber to get to know their team mates and play some competitive games together. This is so refreshing to see, because for years we dithered in the transfer market and panic bought right before the window slammed shut, giving our squad zero time to acclimatise before being flung into the rigours of a new season.
