Step back and look at the bigger picture

[selassie]

We still can't compete for the top level of player, i.e. the ones that are well proven to be quality and are at their peak, but there's also still plenty to improve our team that come outside that definition. I guess it's worth remembering that we aren't rich but we aren't too poor either, within a few years we'll have a little more cash to burn but for now we won't be seeing a top guy in unless a top guy goes out.

This.

I really don't understand why it's got to be a choice between buying an unknown or spending on world class players like City, there's a middle ground.

I'd be quite happy with a few established PL type players that go for circa 15million, I'm pretty sure we can make a signing like that now and again without the club going into adminstration.

[Penguin]

This.

I really don't understand why it's got to be a choice between buying an unknown or spending on world class players like City, there's a middle ground.

I'd be quite happy with a few established PL type players that go for circa 15million, I'm pretty sure we can make a signing like that now and again without the club going into adminstration.

I completely agree.

Our squad last season was 2 or 3 decent players away from being able to win trophies. If we had decent back-up players for Vermaelen and RVP on the bench just think of how many points better off we would be. They don't have to be £30m+ signings.

Ferguson got Vidic for £7m and Hernandez for £6m. Wenger is renowned for his ability to find talents so I don't see why he can't do the same.

[selassie]

The point is that the club decides what a player is worth, and not the fans. At the moment, we do not like the way the system is working but I would posit that this is because the club is not being as successful as we would like. If the club had won a few trophies in the last 6 years, everyone would be calling players who leave for financial reasons (and guaranteed that Clichy left for more money), they would be called mercenaries.

Personally, I would love to see Arsenal compete for and get Aguero but I am realistic enough to know that the problems that his transfer fee and salary would bring is almost certainly not worth it.

TG, for sure the club decides what a player is worth and if we believe any of the stuff printed in the Media, over the past few seasons we've missed out on some really top class players due to our rigid stance on what we believe a player is worth. I mean is our financial situation so precarious that we'll happily pass on first choice targets for the sake of a few million?

IMHO Part of the reason why we don't win anything is due to our flawed self imposed system. No matter which way we look at it, players are now leaving to win trophies elsewhere, look at Clichy's comments re: Joining City, it's not sour grapes or venom, it's the reality, he's telling the truth isn't he?

I'm not really asking for Aguero type signings, I'm realistic enough to know that right now we can't compete for players like him because the fee & wages do not fit in line with our financial model. What I don't understand is why we can't compete for emerging talent & semi-established PL type players? We're a top 4 club with decent enough revenue, why do we have a net spend of a Championship club?

[KSE Comedy Club]

Gazidis on SSN today.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...045684,00.html

When questioned whether the likes of Fabregas and Nasri could be sold by Arsenal, Gazidis believes Wenger is the voice of Arsenal and that he is not prepared to add any more fuel on the fire.

"We don't conduct our business in public," Gazidis told Sky Sports News. "I don't intend to put my voice into the mix.

"Arsene has been very clear and explicit on all of those subjects. I'll leave the voice of Arsenal to be his."

Gazidis did confirm the club do have funds to strengthen and that the north Londoners are determined to become winners on the pitch and end their six-year trophy drought in the process.

Whereas other clubs are looking to fill gaps vacated by retiring players Arsenal are not looking to plug holes in Wenger's team, just enhance the strength in depth the Frenchman already possesses.

"We do have money we can spend," added Gazidis.

"The challenge for us is a little bit different than some of the other clubs, we don't have positions where players are coming to the end of their careers and positions where there are holes.

"We have to find players who can improve on some of the positions that we currently have and add some depth.

"We want to be winners. We want to be trophy winners.

"There's a relentless focus on doing things we need to do to achieve that, but we also have to do them within the bounds of a sensible football club."

[Boss]

Yeah but no matter what the board and spreadsheets say we're broke, you should know this.

[selassie]

Gazidis on SSN today.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...045684,00.html

I swear Gazidis reports to Wenger. Can anybody really explain in detail what Gazidis's role is?

[Özim]

I swear Gazidis reports to Wenger. Can anybody really explain in detail what Gazidis's role is?

Official Wenger bumlicker.

This guy came in a while ago now, doesn't seem to have made any difference to anything...not really sure what he's needed for other than to agree with everything Wengers says tbh.

[Letters]

not really sure what he's needed for other than to agree with everything Wengers says tbh.

Marginally better than disagreeing with everything Wenger says even when you agree with it I suppose.

[Özim]

Marginally better than disagreeing with everything Wenger says even when you agree with it I suppose.

Disagreeing is better, at least you have your own opinion...beats being a sheep.

[Champagne Charlie]

Personally I think the media and a lot of fans have got too hung up on the whole financial side of things. Our whole style of football simply isn't suited to the premier league. We don't counter anywhere near quickly enough anymore and it allows teams to get men behind the ball and slows the game down. That's not a lack of personnel, it's tactics. It's the way AW has decided to build the team.

And the well publicised defensive problems won't be fixed by signing a "world class" centre-back. It's a fundamental problem within the team and has been for years. For me, I'd much rather see us sign up a defensive coach in the Martin Keown mould than sign a Cahill or Samba.