Dein - Mr Arsenal or Mr Ego?

[Cockerill's chin]

I only ever doubted that Wenger would extend his contract during those dark, paranoid episodes we all have. Realistically, I knew he would want to stay with a squad of such potential developed in a stadium he pushed to be built. Under his stewardship, the club has the best stadium and training facilities in Europe, while maintaining a servicable level of debt.

After a frustrating summer, Wenger signing the new contract has put an end to some of the uncertainty that surrounds the club. But before we could even raise a glass to this welcome sense of continuity Dein has jumped in with some typical comments:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528, ... 15,00.html

Why has he chosen now? Is it because Arsenal were finally putting the AW situation out of the gossip column? For me, Dein has got a touch of the night about him. These comments come from a frustrated ego that struggles to accept the Arsenal project continues apace without him.

The Sunday papers will focus on AW wanting to leave when Dein left. This is unfair to Arsene and the stability he wanted his contract extension to reflect to the squad. Arsene's vision means in 10 years Arsenal will rival any European club for finance, except our financial strength will be built on the loyal support of the supporters; a much more stable foundation than Russion oil or the Spanish State.

[Galasso]

This is unfair to Arsene and the stability he wanted his contract extension to reflect to the squad. Arsene's vision means in 10 years Arsenal will rival any European club for finance, except our financial strength will be built on the loyal support of the supporters; a much more stable foundation than Russion oil or the Spanish State

Very salient points, my friend

I took this excerpt:

"When I left his future was very much in the balance," Dein told Sky Sports News. "He said to me at the time that he wasn't sure if he wanted to stay on"

"We had a chat and I thought it was important that he should stay on for the future of the club."

Not only is David Dein betraying a private conversation, it seems to me he is taking some kind of credit for AW re-signing.

Bad timing and ill-judged. Black mark David Dein.

[Ben-gooner14]

Dein didn't call for sky to talk to him about it, it was only because they saw him at wembley they asked the questions that might of been a conincidense or maybe purposly don't i don't know.

[Belfast Boy]

For me, Dein has got a touch of the night about him. .

[26may1989]

Dein didn't call for sky to talk to him about it, it was only because they saw him at wembley they asked the questions that might of been a conincidense or maybe purposly don't i don't know.

Unless you're seeking attention and trying to recover your reputation having sold out, the right response to the question is "No comment."

Cockerill's Chin has it on the button, DD is about DD much more than he's about AFC.

[Ben-gooner14]

Well sorry mate , but im only telling you what happened when i wathced it on sky sports news before the england game.

[tomkingsbury]

Dein didn't call for sky to talk to him about it, it was only because they saw him at wembley they asked the questions that might of been a conincidense or maybe purposly don't i don't know.

i'd have to say on purpose - its seems mr dein has some kind of hidden agenda. I dont think he is doing his reputation much good, especially considering most fans were upset to see him go. I may be being a bit rash considering what he did for the club, but maybe it was the right time for him to go, im not sure how i'd feel about him returning. Seems like the comments of a sour man.

And yes, why did he have to say those things. Wenger is a man of honour, and i cant see him walking out on us unless the board room situation got alot worse than anyone knows - and i guess we may never know. I'd personally say dein is laying some seeds of doubt in the gooner fans' minds about how much trust and confidence AW has in the board, in the hopes a takeover would be approved by fans.

[Cus Geezer]

Why has he chosen now? Is it because Arsenal were finally putting the AW situation out of the gossip column? For me, Dein has got a touch of the night about him. These comments come from a frustrated ego that struggles to accept the Arsenal project continues apace without him.

I can only restate the same position I've held since April. Arsenal are moving on without Dein, they haven't crumbled. Rather than fall from the limelight Dein wades in and creates instability were there is none.

He's creating some false 'you need me more than I need you position', he loves giving it the 'knight in shining armour that saved the club' routine and no knight in shining armour ever saved a damsil in distress from a mere wasp, so the current progress and stability that the club are having on and off the pitch are counter to his interests, that's why he is giving us his two penneth now and not during the summer when the prophets of doom were predicting Arsenal were in decline and losing Henry.

Dein's reputation lives vicariously through Arsene's, it's the only point that the pro-Dein camp make when arguing with me on this. The truth of the situation is that Dein only hired Wenger after a glowing reference from Gerard Houllier who recommended him to Dein and I doubt Wenger had any real doubts that were linked to Dein's situation, mere pre-contract posturing. After all he who walks into contract negotiations with a pen in his hand sells himself short in the end, it's as the old saying goes 'I love working here so much I'd do it for free, I just don't want them to know that'.

Did anyone really think Wenger would walk from Arsenal, Dein or no Dein?

[Cockerill's chin]

Ben, a skilled operator like Dein does not open his mouth on camera without knowing what he is saying, why he is saying it, and the purpose it will serve.

A crude example may serve the point; if the journalist asked if DD's wife takes it up the trap door, he would have no doubt been shunned. It's personal.

I'm sure AW thought the private conversations with DD were likewise personal.

The timing and content was of Dein's choosing.