Poor management tbh, we sign up these young players on new deals all the time, even before they've done anything to deserve it, consequently they get paid a load of money and noone wants to take them off our hands, wonder whether it would be better to buy them of their contracts and let them walk though.Originally Posted by Herbert_Chapman's_Zombie
To be fair on Gazidis (and no real reason to be) he saw in 2014 that our youth system needed overhauling and that was the rational behind appointing Wim Jonker as youth coach and there is much more being invested in the academy.
A more effective and established wide player would have been good I agree but on the striking front it's hard to think of what was out there that you can put your hat on making a clear difference. Vardy was based on one year and before the window started, can we honestly say that Lacazette was top of the fans most wanted list? His 'importance' only grew the further into the window we went. His numbers are decent enough in the French league but is he going to come over here and maintain those numbers in a tougher, more competitive league? No way of knowing for sure. He would definitely offer something different to Giroud but he is perhaps just as much of a risk as a Perez or an Icardi might of been. The only goal machine on the market was Higuain and the club were not paying that money for a striker. Lyon's president came out the other day and said they turned down £42m from West Ham and even higher bids from elsewhere, so it would've taken something absurd for them to sell him, especially as they are likely to be PSG's closest rivals in the league and are in the CL. For them to find a replacement would've put them in the nightmare boat we found ourselves in.
Last edited by Kano; 31-08-2016 at 03:06 PM.
Yes but that wasn't the point I was making, I am pointing out that this is the reason we can't bring anymore players in
Southampton have pulled out some good players but no 'world class' talent and that well seems to have run dry now. West Ham haven't produced anyone of note for years and we're not including Noble in this either. Tottenham have been forced to focus on youth and found the right manager to do so, plus Levy is just as tight with his money as Gazidis - the Spuds fans moan about his antics every window.
As a club we're not 'focussing' on youth, we're developing them just like every other big team. We had a period during the stadium move where that was the case but even then Wenger never fully committed to it by integrating a number of them into the first team as a group. Our scouts wouldn't be the problem, as the final say so comes do to Wenger no doubt. All they can do is find the talent and make suggestions.
Gnabry completes his move to Bremen.
Bit of a shame with Gnabry, never really saw if he would be any good or not, seemed decent enough when he first featured, did well at the Olympics but I guess that isn't really a great marker, will be interesting to see how he develops, makes the loaning out of Campbell and even weirder decision now though.
First thing I'd have done is shipped Walcott out for whatever we could get personally, that guy sticks around like a bad spell, he's had his chance and not been up to the task.
In general the squad looks better than it has for a while and we have strengthened in areas we needed to which is positive. My issue is both the fact we didn't have the new players in time for the start of the season and as you say, that the ones we did, have struggled to get up to speed. The last two results have been acceptable but that first game calamity puts a completely different spin on the start of our campaign so far.
Wenger said the other day that he thought this would be his easiest window in ages, probably because he knew who he wanted to buy but after the Vardy thing, it seemed like a plan B wasn't in place. From the outside of course, that is an easy thing to say but when you look back at our last minute scrambles over the years and not having a new striker until yesterday, it adds up. The defender issue really should've been resolved a lot faster than it has been and maybe that first game could've been different.
I'm mostly content with the business we've done, I'd mark it as a 6.5/7 out of 10, around that mark. The biggest problem is making the most of the squad as usual. You want to hope things will be different (otherwise what's the point of watching every week) but Wenger's management of the squad is still the major concern. And of course our injury history. How long before that kicks in and decimates what looks like a decent squad, remains to be seen.
According to Ornstein Bournemouth are favourite to get Jack.
Apparently we won't do business with Roma after they fobbed us off earlier the summer for Manloas and Palace have turned their attention elsewhere.
"Arsenal have refused to do a deal with Roma," says our man David Ornstein. "Crystal Palace think their move for Wilshere is dead and have focused their attention elsewhere."
David Luiz to have his Chelsea medical.
FFS.
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