Arsenal transfer policy: sensible or shambolic?

With under two weeks to go before the start of the season, many of us loyal Gooners are wondering why the signings we’ve been promised have yet to materialise. What exactly is the reason for this and will we actually bring in a further two or three significant players who will improve us this season?

There is no doubt that the limbo that is the Fabregas situation is not helping at all, nor Nasri flirting with any club that winks an eye at him, but still, is it not sensible for the club and manager to separate these two players and concentrate on an Arsenal without them? surely if we did bring in big and impressive signings we could sell on these two without the worry of replacing them. In Nasri’s case, perhaps if we show more ambition he might even be happy to sign on for another two or three years?

Just waiting to sell before we buy seems to me like a defeatist and suicidal policy that is purely driven by financial agendas. Yes, we are a business as well as a football club it’s true but all businesses that have a stable base need to invest in their product or risk falling behind.

Wenger is playing a dangerous game with his job in sticking to this policy so strictly. If we don’t bring in some powerful reinforcements soon he risks a terrible backlash from all the disgruntled fans that could see us shatter the players confidence at home games. As it stands I see us losing quite a few games at the grove this year because the atmosphere is as bad as I’ve known it it in 25 years going to the games.

I know we’ve probably tried and failed in acquiring our top targets and in the managers defence some of the figures quoted for players like Cahill, a man who almost single-handedly was at fault for four of the goals in Bolton’s semi-final last year, is ridiculous. How can a generally unproven centre back in the last year of his contract be worth £18m?  Also, how can Valencia charge greedy and crazy money for a player that has never played premiership football and might turn out to be another Reyes?

It is no surprise that our tight fisted club are not willing to gamble such large sums of money for these types of unproven players. Having said that, with what we’ve got, we’re looking at fourth position come next May. And I’m being optimistic there. Fourth spot and spending hardly anything isn’t bad considering how the game as a whole is being ruined by oil billionaires and sleazy bastards.

My take on it is that we might have to accept not winning anything for a while longer but Arsenal should reflect that in their tickets prices. Communicate to the fans that this is our policy, we’re not at the same spending level as the super-rich and we’re aiming for an FA cup and champions league spot as success and therefore for the time being we’re re-adjusting the ticket prices accordingly. Now sit down and enjoy the football.  Anyone else think that’s fair?  Or anyone think that our weird American owner should put his hands in his pockets or consider selling his shares to the fat Russian, who at least, would probably show more financial ambition. Out of those two, I’m not sure who’s worse to be honest.

Thanks for reading.

-The GoonerGifts crew

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