Quote:
Originally Posted by thenry
hold on you just agreed we got close in 08 when we lacked a player or two. there were players around that would not have cost the earth in transfer fee in salary.
|
Yes, I never said we wouldn't have. I just think it's all very well saying that now. I wish we had done that but it was injuries which cost us a lot in that season and how would we be sure the players we got would have been in those positions? It's speculative.
Quote:
|
there are many players out in the world. other clubs scouting network sucked. now its becoming clear you have to have a decent network.
|
All the clubs do have a decent network really. The major ones. There are few surprises in football now. If we look at some of the smart, cheap, buys then there aren't world beaters. Mostly Newcastle with the likes of Ba but they didn't really show anything that makes me think they would sustain a title challenge. There is a big gap between that level and the type of players that can win a title, they are being hoovered up by clubs like city.
In the end there are many players in the world but so few who have played at a top level. The ones who have proven they can compete at that level are noticed and command a premium. We deal with players who haven't competed at that level and therefore we take the risk.
However Wenger's return on these players in excellent really. Jenkinson, Koscielny and Sagna. Chamberlain wasn't unknown but showed he would pay for quality. Arteta and Cazorla were cheap. He has done alright there to be honest.
Quote:
|
we were close. Wenger failed to add a player or two into the mix. by the way Arsenal are more than capable of spending big. the fact theres other players and the fact Arsenal wont go throw an extra 10mil for the sake of it means we can compete.
|
Even if you take the £60 million that is meant to be in reserve (and it would be foolish to take all of it) that isn't exactly going to trouble City and Chelsea. It could probably buy us a decent striker and defender but we'll still struggle with depth in some positions. I think it would help us cement third or fourth depending how the others do...
I think third or forth is acceptable given Arsenal's resources.
My real problem at Arsenal is the ticket prices and the board's fleecing of the fans more than our lack of silverware.