Arteta critical regarding over 30 policy

[spendsum4uckingmoney]

Pires didnt look the same in his final season. Nobody criticizes Wenger for chucking Ljungberg. I do agree thought getting rid of Viera was a mistake though.

Anyway as far as the over 30 policy is concerned, I think Ros should be out and I wouldnt give Arteta a new contract either. Sagna is 50/50 IMO. I would like a new RB.

[SteveO 35]

He makes a good point re reliability - how many games has he played in the last 3 seasons compared to Wilshere? Its a good bet he will be fit enough to play more games over the next 2 as well.

The debate is realistically going to be tainted by the fact that after 2 excellent seasons for us Arteta has looked a bit pedestrian this season and not the key player he has been. Maybe that's justification for the policy, although I still think the way we treated Pires and in particular Bergkamp was a joke.

True. Some idiots on here call Arteta shite since he arrived, because his standard has slipped a bit this season. But anyone with half a brain could see he was our most reliable performer for the previous two years. Also the fact he anticipates and positions himself well (rather than reacts and lunges in with the Hollywood tackles) ensures he doesn't stand out as much as some players on the pitch and makes people think he isn't useful. Idiots.

100% on the money my friend. Whilst not his favoured position he filled that role more responsibly than Mong ever did. He has dropped a bit this season and its noticeable because prior to that I could count the guy's bad games on one hand. Wish this fella nothing but the best - spot on attitude, proper team player and if we'd signed him 2 or 3 years previously we'd have had all of his best years

[arseofacrow]

He makes a good point re reliability - how many games has he played in the last 3 seasons compared to Wilshere? Its a good bet he will be fit enough to play more games over the next 2 as well.

The debate is realistically going to be tainted by the fact that after 2 excellent seasons for us Arteta has looked a bit pedestrian this season and not the key player he has been. Maybe that's justification for the policy, although I still think the way we treated Pires and in particular Bergkamp was a joke.

True. Some idiots on here call Arteta shite since he arrived, because his standard has slipped a bit this season. But anyone with half a brain could see he was our most reliable performer for the previous two years. Also the fact he anticipates and positions himself well (rather than reacts and lunges in with the Hollywood tackles) ensures he doesn't stand out as much as some players on the pitch and makes people think he isn't useful. Idiots.