Former Arsenal star Perry Groves has spoken out about Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy and the situation Arsenal now find themselves in with Cesc Fabregas.
In two separate interviews with talkSPORT, the former Gunner stated firstly that he felt Arsene’s failure to strengthen the squad in the January window last season cost Arsenal a chance at winning the league, and secondly that Arsenal should let Fabregas move on to Barcelona.
On Arsene’s transfer policy: “The frustrating thing is [the Premier League] was Arsenal’s to win last year. But because they didn’t have the dominant centre-half which they could have gone and got in January that’s why [they didn’t win the league] and that’s why Arsene’s policy over two or three years has been proven wrong.”
“There has been two phases when Arsene Wenger has been in charge. On the pitch from 1996-2004 that is how you structure a football team. Off the pitch from 2005-2011 is how you structure a football club, going from Highbury to the Emirates.
On Arsenal’s current situation with Cesc Fabregas: “If a player is not 100 per cent committed to your football club then there’s no point him being there. I don’t think he was 100 per cent focused last year”
“I think it’s time to say ‘thanks, Cesc, you’ve been a brilliant servant to us, if that’s your calling and you really want to go, we will take that £30million’. And then invest the money in the players that are going to make our squad and team stronger.”
I like Perry Groves, always have, and I have to say that I feel he’s spot on in both these interviews. The “two phases when Arsene has been in charge” is a great analysis of Arsene’s tenure, I think. You could argue that not much has gone right on the footballing side of things over the last few years. Financially, of course his track record speaks for itself, but the results on the pitch do not.
Regarding Arsene’s transfer policies, I think that the clearest indication of Arsene’s intentions will be what happens in January, not June and July.
If Arsenal arrive at next January the same way they have arrived at the January’s of the past few seasons (In the thick of 3 or 4 competitions, a few injury concerns, questions of depth at one position or another), what will Arsene do? Will he dawdle about, make a couple of half-hearted offers, and then tell fans and players alike that “we were close to signings” but don’t worry, so-and-so will be “like a new signing” whenever he gets healthy?
If that’s the Arsene we see, then I’m afraid that what happens this summer will probably make little difference. Arsene’s refusal to adequately provide depth for his squad is what hurts the club the most. The January window is a chance to stop and say “here are my squad’s shortcomings, here are their strengths,” and then add to your strengths. Look at the impact David Luiz had on Chelsea’s defense the last half of the year. How about Luis Suarez’s impact on Liverpool?
Even in the summer window, Arsene’s decisions have been questionable. Rafael van der Vaart, anyone? Watching him shred Gooner’s dreams to pieces twice this year was sickening, especially considering the fact that RVP begged Arsene to get him.
Instead, Arsene lost out to Tottenham, of all clubs, and van der Vaart signed for Spurs for £9m on the last day of August. That’s why I just want to scream when I hear Arsene try and blame this team’s poor season on Cesc’s injury troubles. A world-class replacement could have been had for under £10m, but instead, Arsene ignores him, he goes to our rivals, and is instrumental ruining Arsenal’s title hopes. Poetic justice indeed.
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Originally Posted by Grebbo
