For the past six years we’ve followed Arsene Wenger on a journey to the Promised Land. We were led away on that journey from Highbury which would (allegedly) see us reach a land which would enable us compete with Europe’s elite (NB No matter that I thought we had already reached that point). It was claimed that we would no longer have to stand idly by as Roman’s Tanks parked on our lawn and fired £50 notes at our players. In the new land we were told would be able to compete on equal terms with the nouveau rich of the premier league (CSKA Fulham aka Chelsea) and the old established wealth of Manchester United and the rest of Europe’s footballing grandees. In short, we would banish forever the days when the European super clubs bought our best players whenever they felt the need – no more Bradys, Stapletons, Overmars, Anelkas or Coles. We would be competing on equal terms.
Yet, six years on the Promised Land looks increasingly barren. We’ve arrived at, and largely paid for, our new home. But our best players depart for the same reasons – personal reward and better prospects of success. The Promised Land has offered much and delivered little.
We were told once by Arsene Wenger that a football club’s assets should be on the pitch not in the bank. If this the maxim of the football club, particularly one of our stature, then somewhere along the journey from Highbury to the Emirates it got lost in translation.
Whether the Promised Land is not as fertile as originally thought (unlikely given current match day revenues and long term prospects) or there is reluctance on the part of Wenger to spend money (and salaries) on players that will really make a difference is difficult to fathom. One school of thought suggests Wenger is intent on pursuing project youth and will not accept that this has now crashed and largely burned. And the other that the board will not sanction the salary levels demanded by the Matas of this world.
As an Arsenal fan who’s made the journey to the promised land and now feels completely disillusioned I would like to hear from Wenger and the Board why are our assets are no longer on the football pitch. And before anyone ripostes on their behalf that a transfer fee is not a sign of quality there is a reason why say Sergio Aguerro is valued at €35 and Marouanne Chamakh is free.
I also don’t accept as Arsene so famously puts it, that it is not as easy to buy a player as going to a supermarket. Others who I used to consider our rivals (doubt MUFC take us seriously anymore) seem to manage it perfectly well and seem to do so by not lurking by the section where they reduce the prices when the sell by date is reached.
Should Arsenal compete with Chelsea and Manchester City vis-à -vis salaries? Manchester United do, and so do the rest of Europe’s elite clubs. Do they offer the same salaries as Chelsea and Manchester City? One suspects the salary levels at Manchester City and to a lesser extent Chelsea, exceed those of other top European clubs. However, the rest still manage to compete effectively in the transfer market and attract top players.
The exception, of course, is us. Frankly, Wenger and the Board need to start acting like the big club we are. Or be honest and tell us that the Promised Land only allows us to lurk around the reduced corner of the supermarket in the hope that something useful might be reduced at the last minute. Cahill anyone - sell by date 31/8
The Promised Land & Sell-by Dates
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Steviegooner
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Re: The Promised Land & Sell-by Dates
You're doing alright in the bulk of your post guy. Got a bit lost here though.
Arsenal are a big club in England. One of the biggest and best supported. But sadly not around the globe where it really counts these days.
In short, we're not a big club.
Utd, Real, Barca, AC, etc can afford to go toe to toe on the wages because of the absolute huge commercial revenue they drive in.MJB wrote:Should Arsenal compete with Chelsea and Manchester City vis-à -vis salaries? Manchester United do, and so do the rest of Europe’s elite clubs. Do they offer the same salaries as Chelsea and Manchester City? One suspects the salary levels at Manchester City and to a lesser extent Chelsea, exceed those of other top European clubs. However, the rest still manage to compete effectively in the transfer market and attract top players.
The exception, of course, is us. Frankly, Wenger and the Board need to start acting like the big club we are. Or be honest and tell us that the Promised Land only allows us to lurk around the reduced corner of the supermarket in the hope that something useful might be reduced at the last minute. Cahill anyone - sell by date 31/8
Arsenal are a big club in England. One of the biggest and best supported. But sadly not around the globe where it really counts these days.
In short, we're not a big club.
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elpelsarmy
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50 years old - a lot older than most on this forum I suspect - first game 1972. Season ticket holder for 15 years. Gave up but still go mostly to away games particularly those in Europe when i get chance and can afford it. Suffered through the 70s when we were truly awful at times but best ever game THFC away league cup 1987 (those that were there (both times) will know what it meant to win after the years before). Still love AFC but after today feel really angry hence the rant. Apologies for battering on I guess we all feel the same.
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charliegeorgewhocanhitem
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Great post fella. I fell for the having to move away from Highbury to be able to compete with Europes best bollocks 
Ever since we moved from our proper home we've got worse and worse with each passing season, culminating in todays debacle/shambles/embarrassment, call it what you will but we've never been so far away from competing with other top premiership clubs and europes elite than we are tonight. In fact we're more likely to be competing with fucking Millwall, Derby and Coventry in the championship next season than we are with Barcelona et al. So board members/manager/whoever, stick your fucking "Emirates Stadium" up your fucking arse 
Ever since we moved from our proper home we've got worse and worse with each passing season, culminating in todays debacle/shambles/embarrassment, call it what you will but we've never been so far away from competing with other top premiership clubs and europes elite than we are tonight. In fact we're more likely to be competing with fucking Millwall, Derby and Coventry in the championship next season than we are with Barcelona et al. So board members/manager/whoever, stick your fucking "Emirates Stadium" up your fucking arse Welcome matey, good 1st postMJB wrote:50 years old - a lot older than most on this forum I suspect - first game 1972. Season ticket holder for 15 years. Gave up but still go mostly to away games particularly those in Europe when i get chance and can afford it. Suffered through the 70s when we were truly awful at times but best ever game THFC away league cup 1987 (those that were there (both times) will know what it meant to win after the years before). Still love AFC but after today feel really angry hence the rant. Apologies for battering on I guess we all feel the same.
If your ever in need of some anal fun, AA23 or SWL are your men 
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Rugby Gooner
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No,KingJayson just wants to know if you are a pilot or a navigator!!!MJB wrote:50 years old - a lot older than most on this forum I suspect - first game 1972. Season ticket holder for 15 years. Gave up but still go mostly to away games particularly those in Europe when i get chance and can afford it. Suffered through the 70s when we were truly awful at times but best ever game THFC away league cup 1987 (those that were there (both times) will know what it meant to win after the years before). Still love AFC but after today feel really angry hence the rant. Apologies for battering on I guess we all feel the same.
Only joking mate,welcome.
Last edited by Rugby Gooner on Sun Aug 28, 2011 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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elpelsarmy
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MJB wrote:50 years old - a lot older than most on this forum I suspect - first game 1972. Season ticket holder for 15 years. Gave up but still go mostly to away games particularly those in Europe when i get chance and can afford it. Suffered through the 70s when we were truly awful at times but best ever game THFC away league cup 1987 (those that were there (both times) will know what it meant to win after the years before). Still love AFC but after today feel really angry hence the rant. Apologies for battering on I guess we all feel the same.
Do not apologise my friend
Well said can't argue with anything
I was there too in 87 what a night!
Disgrace tonite! We want our arsenal back!
50 years old - a lot older than most on this forum I suspect - first game 1972. Season ticket holder for 15 years. Gave up but still go mostly to away games particularly those in Europe when i get chance and can afford it. Suffered through the 70s when we were truly awful at times but best ever game THFC away league cup 1987 (those that were there (both times) will know what it meant to win after the years before). Still love AFC but after today feel really angry hence the rant. Apologies for battering on I guess we all feel the same.
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elpelsarmy
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2006 11:47 am
