Profit before transfers. Confirmed.

[Marc Overmars]

I don't know why Cesc would say that. But it makes no sense...his statement. If i want to persuade someone to do something, I make it more, rather than less attractive for them to take a course of action, unless I think I'm dealing with a fool.

I doubt anyone is arguing the Cesc situation was handled well, but there were two options - sell to the only team in the market (he'd go nowhere else) or continue with a guy that was becoming less and less interested, with the performances to match.

Do you not think that Wenger persuaded them to lower the price, knowing that mentally Cesc was not an Arsenal player anymore and it would have been to the detriment of the team to keep him?

It's been said a million times before of course but we were snookered and had no choice but to sell. I'd even say Wenger did the right thing in putting an end to it all regardless of the price.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Look at him, trying to save face knowing hes made a right fool of himself

You'd have thought he'd be used to it by now.

Apparently not. Oh well more fun times lie ahead on GW cos of it so i aint complaining

When did you start taking Fabregas' word as gospel?

[Syn]

And you didn't answer my closing question, who will we have left to sell, if it is true it's a necessity to make a profit?

If it's a necessity to make a profit in the transfer market, then I agree that we should go down the route of buying Hazards and Gotzes and continuing to sell them off for a profit in 3 or 4 seasons time. If it's not a necessity - and it's only necessary to try to make a profit for the club over all areas (which as you say is more likely achieved through being successful on the pitch), then I think a different route is required to achieve this success.

[Xhaka Can’t]

Do you not think that Wenger persuaded them to lower the price, knowing that mentally Cesc was not an Arsenal player anymore and it would have been to the detriment of the team to keep him?

It's been said a million times before of course but we were snookered and had no choice but to sell.

It is possible. But that would be reasonable given the unique situation we were in. If it were an open market it would be a different story. If you have an asset, it is only worth what the market is willing to pay and if the market is such that there is only one buyer then you have to play your hand very well to extract the maximum.

Our hand was not helped by Fabregas showing all the cards, because if there was even a pretence of there being an open market, Cesc would have gone for a lot more.

[Syn]

Do you not think that Wenger persuaded them to lower the price, knowing that mentally Cesc was not an Arsenal player anymore and it would have been to the detriment of the team to keep him?

It's been said a million times before of course but we were snookered and had no choice but to sell. I'd even say Wenger did the right thing in putting an end to it all regardless of the price.

Agreed. It's been discussed earlier in the thread by me or Maccy but as much as fans would've backed Wenger and the club for telling Cesc he has to stay, his performances in his last season showed he wasn't interested. In 09/10, he was truly awesome. But last season he was nowhere near that level. We were in a very tricky position because Cesc only wanted to go to Barcelona and Barca knew it. The Cesc saga was lingering on and on. I wouldn't be surprised if Wenger just said - fuck it, I can't deal with this shit any more, let him go. A very difficult situation for us.

[fakeyank]

Do you not think that Wenger persuaded them to lower the price, knowing that mentally Cesc was not an Arsenal player anymore and it would have been to the detriment of the team to keep him?

It's been said a million times before of course but we were snookered and had no choice but to sell. I'd even say Wenger did the right thing in putting an end to it all regardless of the price.

Dont think that is right. AW shouldve told Fabregas "They rate you at 30 million quid and you know you are more than that. If Andy Carroll can go for 35 million quid, you are at least worth 45-50 million. If Barca matches that offer, we will not stand in your way but if they do not, I expect you to man the fuck up and play. I have given them time till July 31 to close this deal so that I can concentrate on either moving forward with you or without you. I am doing what is best for Arsenal FC and I hope you understand."

Thats a man to man conversation he couldve had right after last season got over. But AW was in his own world with the waiting period, wanting period etc to make any firm decisions. Sad part is that we do not have anyone in the boardroom to stand up and bitch slap the fucker. Like I mentioned earlier, AW is way too powerful at AFC.. he is bringing the club down!

[IBK]

http://angryofislington.com/2012/01/...e-plain-truth/

[Xhaka Can’t]

I was relieved it was over. Every window it was pretty much the same thing. Similar yet different crap with Vieira before that.

I'm near your position on what our signing strategy should be.

[Xhaka Can’t]

http://angryofislington.com/2012/01/...e-plain-truth/

[IBK]

This guy is great because he keeps it simple and logical.