Arsene Wenger to Splash the Cash
have been more inclined towards building their new stadium, the Emirates, in the last few seasons, rather than spending money on big name signings. The last 5 years have not seen a single big money move for Arsenal, save for one or two mediocre signings here and there, and the focus has been on building property rather than the team. However, there seems to be a change in approach this coming summer, and it is expected that there will be some big names coming in, or at least the Gunners will be trying for them, as 5 seasons without any silverware has resulted in many of the big names leaving the club. The board and the coach are now trying to convince the team and their fans that good times are to come in the following seasons.
While Wenger has been insistent on holding back from buying big name players, and has instead continued to harness young blood over the years, there has been feeling in the league that youngsters don’t win titles. Though Wenger has refused to agree with this opinion time and again, the statistics don’t lie, and what has happened at Arsenal since their famous invincible season is clear evidence that there is still a lot to be desired from the Gunners, and there needs to be a big change in approach at the top, if the club is to get back to winning trophies.
But now Wenger is clear that he wants players who are tried and tested, and do not need time to learn the tricks and trades of the game, especially if their captain Cesc Fabregas leaves (which looks to be a foregone conclusion now). Players like Joe Cole, Yoann Gourcuff and Mikel Arteta all fit the profile to be on the radar of the Gunners.
Arsenal is also badly looking for a goalkeeper, as Almunia and Fabianski have been less than impressive in the recent seasons. And Mark Schwarzer is likely to be between the posts for Arsenal next season; again a complete opposite of what Arsenal’s strategy has been over the years.
Yaya Touré is also a candidate who fits the profile, and his agent has also confirmed that Wenger has been in touch, and has shown interest in the Barcelona Midfielder.
While in defence, the approach remains the same: to bring in a tried and tested player. Lorient’s Laurent Koscielny has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, and is believed to be an ideal man to lead the defence for the club.
Koscielny, who is 24 years old, has been phenomenal in the French league, and is believed to be in his prime, and the same is said about their first signing of the season: striker Marouane Chamakh, who is 26 years old, and believed to be the right man to fit in the Gunners’ squad.
But the question remains: what has really triggered the change in approach? Is it really the fear of Fabregas leaving? After Henry and Viera (2 of the most prolific players for Arsenal) also left Arsenal due to lack of silverware, the change in strategy cannot be attributed to anything else.
On the other hand, the credibility regarding the certainty about the financial aspects of the club may also be the reason for Wenger to spend hard.
Before Fabregas made his intentions clear that he wants to go back to his childhood club Barcelona, the plan at Emirates was to bring in 3 to 4 senior players with a £40 million budget. But the certain transfer request by Fabregas has prompted Arsenal to have contingency plans.
The debts of the club have been slashed by £100 million, and the turnover is running at record levels, and with the Club’s property investments earning profits of an estimated £45 million, Arsenal probably have never been so financially stable.
Arsene Wenger said: “Our financial situation has greatly improved,” “We are finally able to buy the players we think we need.”
Now it’s time to see if all the talk will actually see some action in the end, and come the start of the next season, don’t be surprised to see a relatively elderly and more experienced Arsenal line-up, and a whole different change in direction in the on-field approach as well.
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