THE WENGER THREAD

[northbank123]

JD I agree that the statements are given more analysis than they should be - but that's because we haven't actually fucking signed anyone (of note). I don't really believe we haven't signed players because we're getting held to ransom because everyone knows we have cash - we haven't signed players because we won't pay what the clubs will receive elsewhere.

Real Madrid didn't think "well, we would sell for £27m if they didn't have much money, but given that they do let's ramp it up". No, they realised that if they waited then somebody else would come in and pay well over £30m for the player, because that's what happened.

We're not going to sign top players because we won't shop in that bracket. The market for those players is packed with the following clubs:

- Clubs with sugardaddies (PSG, Monaco, City, Chelsea, etc)
- Clubs with massive resources otherwise (United, Barca, Bayern, Real Madrid)
- Clubs who have received substantial fees from clubs in the top two brackets (Atletico, Napoli, Dortmund)

What all of these clubs have in common is that they're willing to pay big transfer fees. Even after this bracket there are the likes of Juventus and Spurs, who have both been far more ruthless than we have this summer - even pinny-pencher Levy was willing to part with £26m for a 28-year old striker who has a good record but is far from world class, because that's the market and if you don't play along you won't go anywhere.

Paying £20-25m for a very good player and £32m+ for a top player isn't the exception - it's the norm. Wenger simply won't pay those sorts of fees for those players and he'll go on pretending that we're the only sane club.

How long can he go on predicting that football's bubble is going to burst and all these clubs are going to go bankrupt? It's the same line he's been preaching since Abramovich came and especially since the financial crisis and subsequent recession and it's just not true.

[highburyJD]

The fucking Y's will be stronger than us even if they flog Clyde for crazy money, Paulinho & Soldado are very astute acquisitions, plus you can bet they'll invest again should Bale go to swing on a tyre in Madrid.

I disagree - think they're buying replacements in advance. Like we did with Giroud and Podolski.

[highburyJD]

Northbank123 - so you dont think we're really in for Suarez...?
(in a strange sort of way I hope we're not but we do desperately need a great striker)

[mcdowell42]

Wenger can do no wrong hes a genius

[Arsenal Till I Die]

If the Board really want big name players, why not go over Wenger's head and bid for well known players?

If Wenger quits, he quits. We still get players and a new manager.

The board are supposed to be furious with Wenger but they're not that furious, clearly.

[northbank123]

Northbank123 - so you dont think we're really in for Suarez...?
(in a strange sort of way I hope we're not but we do desperately need a great striker)

I just don't see it happening. Will take at least £45m to sell and I don't see that Wenger would be willing to pay a) that much, and b) £10-15m more than it would have taken us to nab Higuain with no fuss.

[highburyJD]

Wenger can do no wrong hes a genius

have to disagree - think he's had a big blindspot on goalies
How did Almunia play for so long...

[Arsenal Till I Die]

Wenger can do no wrong hes a genius

have to disagree - think he's had a big blindspot on goalies
How did Almunia play for so long...

Because the go manic never admits he is wrong.

[mcdowell42]

Wenger can do no wrong hes a genius

have to disagree - think he's had a big blindspot on goalies
How did Almunia play for so long...

Because the go manic never admits he is wrong.

Think tht is 1 of his biggest faults its a case of im right even when im wrong.Every tom dick and harry can see where things need to change except him.He can say every season tht the team has the spirit,mentality,belief and they will be stronger for the new season,but just because he says it doesnt make it so.

[highburyJD]

Think tht is 1 of his biggest faults its a case of im right even when im wrong.Every tom dick and harry can see where things need to change except him.He can say every season tht the team has the spirit,mentality,belief and they will be stronger for the new season,but just because he says it doesnt make it so.

fantasy football is very different. Don't think every tom, dick and harry get us in the CL every season.
Mental strength that got us into the CL last season was impressive. Was a close run thing.
We need an injection of quality, not of mental strength.

[TeeCee]

The board are supposed to be furious with Wenger but they're not that furious, clearly.

Remember the board all but sold out to Kranky so they might be board members in name but have no real clout. Stan Kranky supposedly worships Wanger so basically Wanger does whatever he wants and knows he answers to no-one. Wanger can play with Arsenal FC until he gets bored, with no pressure and no directive from above.

[highburyJD]

having to get into CL groups every single season is hardly no pressure, its way beyond most managers
we get through them every season FFS.
Hearing the posts on here you'd think Wenger presided over relegation battles.
Liverpool would love to be in our position, as would every non-Oiligarch team bar ManUre.

I want more, maybe Stan does maybe he doesn't care - JUST CL football is hardly no pressure...

[Dan_85]

I presume everyone read the comments from Professor Crackpot's latest presser whilst the forum was down?

http://news.arseblog.com/2013/08/wenger ... nding-but/

"Spending money is not a quality." Is my favourite Along with "If you can name me better players than what we have i'm ready to talk" but we've heard that one before.

[officepest]

Can't find a link to the quotes (sorry) but radio5 reported he's piped up about FFP again in light of R Madrid's proposed bid for Simian Mobile Disco.

Also says he would like to sign Suarez but only if it can be done amicably and that he has to respect Liverpool's decision. So no, then.

[Steve_I]

Also Steve I's views are those of the majority of Arsenal fans.
Was going to say vast majority - I think the numbers are contracting.
His views are nonetheless very mainstream, bit bizarre to claim he doesn't really hold them...

cheers