The main objection being made against Arsenal's and Arsène Wenger's transfer policy is the percieved lack of world class signings.
In the last few years, players like Edin Dzeko, Juan Mata, Joe Cole and Phil Jones have chosen other clubs. World stars like Samuel Eto'o, Manuel Neuer, Mesut Özil, Yaya Touré, Mario Balotelli and David Villa have been on the market without Arsenal even making interested noises. Meanwhile, Arsenal have looked more and more like a selling club letting their stars go without spending the transfer fees on equal replacements.
Today, the Daily Mail reports that the supposedly substantial transfer fund will be spent on one of the most exciting prospects in European football. Reporter Sami Mokbel writes that Arsenal's chief scout Steve Rowley and a colleague watched Mario Götze of Borussia Dortmund play Olympiakos in the Champions League. Arsenal are said to try and sign the 19-year-old in January, and if that won't work, in the summer of 2012.
Götze has it all. He's a creative midfielder like the two stars Arsenal lost last summer; Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri. He's already a German league champion, a 10-cap full international and has got his first taste of top European club football. And he's six months younger than Jack Wilshere. As a manager known for developing talent, Wenger couldn't't possibly resist working on Götze if he is at all available.
Mario Götze has even got a world class reputation already. Spending between £20m and £40m on him would smash Arsenal's transfer record, but it would still look like a good deal. Crucially, it might convince the club's current stars that the ambition at the Emirates match their own.
Götze was first linked with Arsenal by the Daily Mirror back in May. Wenger's and Rowley's obvious interest had already lasted a while back then.
With the current squad now seemingly settled and hitting form, another clutch of signings are hardly necessary. That's why Mario Götze of Borussia Dortmund might be the centre of the next big saga of the Arsenal transfer rumour mill.
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Sounds good Jon but do you think Arsène's record on marquee signings stands up? Can't think of any that have worked out but can think of some that didn't - Nasri, Reyes, Adebayor.
ReplyDeleteSo who are the big clubs Arsenal are competing against? Impression is we are sliding down the pecking list of clubs with funds, but I started to think about it today, and found there aren't many clubs around more attractive than Arsenal. Look at the big leagues:
ReplyDeleteSpain: Barcelona, Real Madrid - who else?
Italy: AC Milan, Inter Milan - who else?
France: None
Germany: Bayern Munchen
England: United, CIty, Chelsea - who else?
That would be eight clubs who seem more attractive than Arsenal when it comes to finances and CL pedigree. There are fifty players outh there considered to be superstars. THey can't all go to the eight teams, who are already propped up with players, and have no space for those in the wings.
I think the situation isn't bad at all.
@Terry, lots of big signings struggle in the Premier League, not just Arsenal's. I think the latest Arsenal signing considered to be a really major one was Arshavin. He was signed January 2009, and was by then a world star after impressing in the Euros for Russia. Has it worked out? Arguably yes, even if his form of late has been suspect.
ReplyDelete@Geir, I think the number of true superstars are fewer than 50. Perhaps 20. These are the players the fans want (it seems), but Arsenal aren't able to compete as long as the board and the club want to stay self-sustainable. You summary of clubs are almost complete: I might add Anzhi Makhachkala of Russia, who can compete with anyone on fees and salaries.
20? Then I just see no reason whatsoever to worry, as there are a hundred players who are almost as good as the super stars - wowho sometimes are just as good as the big names.
ReplyDeleteWhat Anxhi doesn't have is a proper league for the big names to compete in. Would E'too have joined if he was on the top of his game?