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Originally Posted by Damien
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.
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like i said it was said prior and during the season. it wasnt injuries as such but bedding the amount of chances created. we kept creating but lacked fire player. someone who could wieve in and score. someone direct.
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Originally Posted by Damien
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.
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so having Ben Arfa wouldnt have helped us in 08? a players whos direct? Cabaye couldnt play in a title fighting side. I agree there are levels but our levels of surrounding pure talent around average is poor. the are players Newcastle obtained. 1 or 2 of their players could work wonders for our push.
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Originally Posted by Damien
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...
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not true. buying a player or two costing each in the region of below 15-20mil could of seen us lift the title in 08.
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Originally Posted by Damien
I think third or forth is acceptable given Arsenal's resources.
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acceptable i guess but expectations of going for the title not met.
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Originally Posted by Damien
My real problem at Arsenal is the ticket prices and the board's fleecing of the fans more than our lack of silverware.
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yeah they pee me off too.
---------- Post added at 22:22 ---------- Previous post was at 22:00 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by Damien
Sucked into what crap? I don't think it's realistic to compete with clubs that have considerably more money than us. This isn't a novel realisation, it's evident when you look at the league table for the last 10 years. City and Chelsea did not, did not, get where they are because they were clever with purchases and formations. They spent a massive amount of money.
By all means we should try but we shouldn't expect to do it. It's a very hard thing to do. If it wasn't then we would see more clubs doing it. You can kind of do it to an extent, especially lower down the league, but at the top of the league it becomes harder.
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City spent a vast amount. you could also look at it by seeing the vast amount they wasted.
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Originally Posted by Damien
Of couse it isn't. He wants to buy good players, sometimes he gets it wrong. That happens in football when you're buying untested players. I am aware every fan seems to know better than Wenger when it come to what players to buy, what tactics to use and so on. However we have to be aware it's much harder when you're the guy that has to make those decisions and you don't have the benefit of hindsight. I am sure Wenger wishes he done some of these things too but he doesn't want to buy crap and he isn't a fool.
I am tired of this same discussion each time now anyway. We're going around in circles like we do every time.
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of course nothings perfect but we should be chasing perfection getting as close as possible. after all Ivan sells our model as perfection yet the flaws and cracks are clear as the day.
im saying but way too much!!!
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Originally Posted by Damien
We're either forth or fifth, it depends on what Liverpool currently have as it's usually between us and them for that last spot there.
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ypu didnt understand. if you add up all the funds used on those that offered something and minused the useless waste we would be a lot lower than 4th biggest spenders in salary.
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Originally Posted by Damien
We're really not. All of them produce substantially bigger incomes from their owners or business. We should manage the resources better of course but money talks.
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we could get a lot closer. they are banked roled i know still it doesnt bother me. we have renewals coming up and we have budgets able to lure qaulity not to mention stature and involvement in the CL. not all players are taken by the mega mega rich. there are players who slip through the net. i dont know who as im not a scout but i assure you theres talent able to be obtained by Arsenal instead of the Lidl trolley dashes