"I'm going where the sun keeps shining
Thru' the pouring rain"
- Everybody's talkin' by Fred Neil, 1966; Harry Nilsson, 1969
We've witnessed an Arsenal renaissance the last few weeks. Seven wins in a row can make anyone feel the sunshine, especially after the torrents at the start of the season. Today, however, Silly Season has slipped into a higher gear. Whether the sun shines in August remains to be seen, but for some reason a collected English press have made predictions for Arsenal's transfer dealings of the summer. And they are more or less the same.
Why this sudden interest in ins and outs at the same time? Whose is the primary story, who is the source?
Judging from the publishing data on the Daily Mail and the Daily Telegraph websites, copies have been filed at the usual time before the printing presses were switched on. So is the case for most other papers' websites. This means that they're not all just reporting what one of the others claims to have found out. The stories have bylines, are written by proper reporters based (it seems) on their own trusted sources.
The Telegraph's Jeremy Wilson is focused on a new deals for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott. At the same time, he reports that chopping dead wood from the squad will bankroll their new salaries. In the Mail, Sami Mokbel reports the possible ins as well: Lukas Podolski, Eden Hazard, Yann M'Vila and Mario Götze are Arsenal's targets.
Podolski is a constant in this merry-go-round of rumours, but there are other names in other stories. The Daily Mirror points to Jan Vertonghen of Ajax as Podolski is already a done deal. Junior Hoilett of Blackburn get another mention. Even the stub from the Sun counts four names: Vertonghen, Podolski, M'Vila and Oliver Giroud.
Meanwhile, the Daily Express reports the quite incredible rumour that Arsenal backup defender Johan Djourou in some way or other has caught the eye of Juventus. Vertonghen would in that case be a handy replacement.
And in the London Evening Standard, their football reporter and commentator James Olley provides analysis. Perhaps that is the piece to recommend the most, as it contains the gist of every other report: Arsenal will make their deals early in the summer window. Last summer's deadline day will not be repeated. The players signed in 2012 will be better than the bargains signed in 2011.
That seems to me to be the primary story: Arsenal have identified their targets as well as their surplus players. But why has every paper in the nation picked up the exact same story, but with separate details on who are leaving and who are joining? It looks like they are all fed the same cake, but with different icings.
The baker has to be someone close to the club, credible enough for all these reporters to trust. But where there's a source, there's an agenda!
Let's hope this particular agenda isn't to create unrest among Arsenal players named and shamed as flops, or just for sale. Or to drive up the prices in the transfer market, exposing Arsenal's plans and alternatives before the bidding starts. Neither of these scenarios are now unlikely, regardless of the source's identity.
Showing posts with label Chamberlain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chamberlain. Show all posts
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Tuesday, 23 August 2011
- Get the finger out while your hands are tied!
The exit of Samir Nasri shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone after months and months of contract wrangling and rumour mongering. Still, for some reason, today's confirmation that the deal is in place seems to have ignited some Gooners.
They bay for the manager's head, the board, the players who leave, even the players who haven't left yet but they believe should.
This is the black and white of football fans, the very sentiments that so called news media are reaching out to with Silly Season's shameless speculations.
It's not like Arsène Wenger or the board have been sitting idly by, watching players leave without considering their replacements. The facts available suggest that this summer, on the contrary, probably has been the busiest for years.
When the management at Arsenal are asked to get their fingers out, the ones shouting the most have no understanding of how a deal is made.
And some deals have been finalised. Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson were expected to arrive, even though Gervinho's French employers needed some more persuasion than Arsenal thought. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain chose Arsenal over other offers, knowing that a young player has a better shot at the Premier League there than at other clubs.
Joel Campbell finally signed for Arsenal after a late bid from a rival almost turned his head. Other players in the same situation chose differently.
Remember Phil Jones? Before he signed for Manchester United, Arsenal were another club to meet the fee in his release clause. Jones spoke of sporting reasons for choosing Old Trafford. But as reporter Matt Dickinson in the Times reminded us today: Jones nearly chose Arsenal after meeting Wenger. When Aaron Ramsey left Cardiff, the opposite happened and the player chose Arsenal after nearly accepting United's offer.
In the Sun today, Juan Mata explains that his choice of employer also was founded on purely sporting principles. As if. Several reports suggest that a contract with Arsenal was very near completion when Chelsea rode in and upped the ante. Roman's wages turned the agent (and Mata) and there was no longer any point for Arsenal to make a bid. Tottenham did anyway, only for Mata to turn them down in an instant.
But while Campbell was persuaded to join Arsenal anyway, the lure of the rubles was too hard for Mata. I don't think text messages from Fernando Torres, or the prospects of partnering Frank Lampard, was as important as he claims today.
The money of Manchester City and Chelsea, and also Manchester United, make this summer's transfer market highly unpredictable. Wenger reminds us of an absolute truth when he says:
The fact that a transfer deal has three parties, two clubs and the player, is sadly and completely lost on former legend Ian Wright. He's portraying himself as the clown of Arsenal's Silly Season in his Sun column today:
"Available recently," eh? Not only does Wright actually believe in the supermarket, he also thinks he can go in and buy what he wants with Dad's credit card without settling later.
Jones, as I mentioned, picked United after negotiating with Arsenal, as did Chris Smalling in the January window. It happens.
David Villa cost more than Cesc. David Silva and Edin Dzeko were linked with Arsenal, more or less seriously, but are now among several teammates on about £200k/week at Manchester City. That's twice as much as Arsenal have paid anyone ever.
Wesley Sneijder har recently scared both Manchester clubs - yes, even City - away with wage demands even higher than that.
When Arsenal's representatives go out in Europe to compete with that kind of money, they have to pull out. You have to have Ian Wright's attitude to debt to not understand that.
Of course Arsenal tap up players, too. There is no need to climb a high horse, as everybody does it. A club representative approaches agent, or vice versa, they negotiate and settle on approximate terms, and only then is the offer made to the (would-be) selling club. It’s not just to put an extra pressure on unwilling sellers, it’s just that it saves everyone time and money to avoid haggling over deals that won’t get through anyway (like Tottenham's offer for Mata).
When asked about Mata and the much hyped release clause deadline, Wenger couldn’t openly admit that Arsenal never can offer what Chelsea can. That would surely end any hopes of major buys this window.
Phil Jagielka and his people seem to use a different approach. It seems to me that the negotiations have been intense, even though just one bid has been made from Arsenal to Everton. It’s been reported that Jagielka’s not interested, that he sees Arsenal as a move sideways. But that may just as well be his people speaking anonymously to put pressure on Wenger and suck more money out of the deal.
Typically, I think Everton will only receive another bid if Arsenal have the personal terms sewn up. Like with Mata and Jones, the buyers speak with the agents first.
After all, why do you think Nasri's personal terms are public property already, when Arsenal accepted a fee only today?
They bay for the manager's head, the board, the players who leave, even the players who haven't left yet but they believe should.
This is the black and white of football fans, the very sentiments that so called news media are reaching out to with Silly Season's shameless speculations.
It's not like Arsène Wenger or the board have been sitting idly by, watching players leave without considering their replacements. The facts available suggest that this summer, on the contrary, probably has been the busiest for years.
When the management at Arsenal are asked to get their fingers out, the ones shouting the most have no understanding of how a deal is made.
And some deals have been finalised. Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson were expected to arrive, even though Gervinho's French employers needed some more persuasion than Arsenal thought. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain chose Arsenal over other offers, knowing that a young player has a better shot at the Premier League there than at other clubs.
Joel Campbell finally signed for Arsenal after a late bid from a rival almost turned his head. Other players in the same situation chose differently.
Remember Phil Jones? Before he signed for Manchester United, Arsenal were another club to meet the fee in his release clause. Jones spoke of sporting reasons for choosing Old Trafford. But as reporter Matt Dickinson in the Times reminded us today: Jones nearly chose Arsenal after meeting Wenger. When Aaron Ramsey left Cardiff, the opposite happened and the player chose Arsenal after nearly accepting United's offer.
In the Sun today, Juan Mata explains that his choice of employer also was founded on purely sporting principles. As if. Several reports suggest that a contract with Arsenal was very near completion when Chelsea rode in and upped the ante. Roman's wages turned the agent (and Mata) and there was no longer any point for Arsenal to make a bid. Tottenham did anyway, only for Mata to turn them down in an instant.
But while Campbell was persuaded to join Arsenal anyway, the lure of the rubles was too hard for Mata. I don't think text messages from Fernando Torres, or the prospects of partnering Frank Lampard, was as important as he claims today.
The money of Manchester City and Chelsea, and also Manchester United, make this summer's transfer market highly unpredictable. Wenger reminds us of an absolute truth when he says:
" ... we are not in a supermarket where you go to a shelf and you ask where are the centre backs or the strikers."
The fact that a transfer deal has three parties, two clubs and the player, is sadly and completely lost on former legend Ian Wright. He's portraying himself as the clown of Arsenal's Silly Season in his Sun column today:
David Villa would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
David Silva would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
Wesley Sneijder would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
Edin Dzeko would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
Phil Jones or Chris Smalling would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
All those players have been available recently and a great club like Arsenal should have been out there competing fiercely for their signatures.
"Available recently," eh? Not only does Wright actually believe in the supermarket, he also thinks he can go in and buy what he wants with Dad's credit card without settling later.
Jones, as I mentioned, picked United after negotiating with Arsenal, as did Chris Smalling in the January window. It happens.
David Villa cost more than Cesc. David Silva and Edin Dzeko were linked with Arsenal, more or less seriously, but are now among several teammates on about £200k/week at Manchester City. That's twice as much as Arsenal have paid anyone ever.
Wesley Sneijder har recently scared both Manchester clubs - yes, even City - away with wage demands even higher than that.
When Arsenal's representatives go out in Europe to compete with that kind of money, they have to pull out. You have to have Ian Wright's attitude to debt to not understand that.
Of course Arsenal tap up players, too. There is no need to climb a high horse, as everybody does it. A club representative approaches agent, or vice versa, they negotiate and settle on approximate terms, and only then is the offer made to the (would-be) selling club. It’s not just to put an extra pressure on unwilling sellers, it’s just that it saves everyone time and money to avoid haggling over deals that won’t get through anyway (like Tottenham's offer for Mata).
When asked about Mata and the much hyped release clause deadline, Wenger couldn’t openly admit that Arsenal never can offer what Chelsea can. That would surely end any hopes of major buys this window.
Phil Jagielka and his people seem to use a different approach. It seems to me that the negotiations have been intense, even though just one bid has been made from Arsenal to Everton. It’s been reported that Jagielka’s not interested, that he sees Arsenal as a move sideways. But that may just as well be his people speaking anonymously to put pressure on Wenger and suck more money out of the deal.
Typically, I think Everton will only receive another bid if Arsenal have the personal terms sewn up. Like with Mata and Jones, the buyers speak with the agents first.
After all, why do you think Nasri's personal terms are public property already, when Arsenal accepted a fee only today?
Monday, 8 August 2011
New signing, old moaning
Arsenal have confirmed the signing of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, just shy of 18 years old, on the invariable 'long term contract'. The club never release the size of transfer fees, but the glee on Southampton's website is umistakable.
'Club record transfer'. 'One of the biggest deals in Championship history'. Even if the selling club want to impress their fans, this is a major investment by Arsenal in one of England's most exciting teenage stars.
The negotiations have been off and on for six months, even if many fans today have expressed surprise that Arsenal could 'act so fast in the transfer market'. Just because the tabloids haven't kept tabs on every move and non-move, as with Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri, doesn't mean nothing's happened.
Viewed from the outside, it looks as the transfer fee and add-ons have been the only obstacles. When Southampton decide to sell now, it's easy to guess that Arsenal have finally gone high enough. At the same time, the financial situation at St. Mary's isn't the easiest in the Championship. Arsenal may well have got away with a better deal than was expected.
Other suitors, like Liverpool and Manchester United, have been mentioned. There may be an element of forced hand: like United in the hunt for Phil Jones, Arsenal may have acted now to avoid missing out.
The player and his father, former England winger Mark Chamberlain, have made the right noises about Arsenal all the way. Other suitors have been considered, of course, but Arsène Wenger's track record with young players still persuade many stars of tomorrow.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain goes straight into the first team squad, Arsenal.com confirms.
So that's the third senior signing of the summer. Arsenal fans, however, are still not satisfied. On Twitter, the storms are still raging.
'The Chamberlain deal is only acceptable if Cahill and Mata are unveiled later this week,' is the gist of one Arsenal blogger's message to the world. As if Arsenal have the prerogative to decide which deals go through first, if at all.
'Another teenage winger isn't needed. A centre back is,' is another much tweeted reaction. As if different transfer deals aren't negotiated at the same time.
'Paying millions for a teenager from League 1 is insane when Arsenal need older heads,' is a brief summary of other reactions. As if our manager's track record with seasoned internationals were as good as his fostering of new talents.
I've only one thing to say: moaners gonna moan. If Arsenal had let young Alex slip away, the very same fans would have thrown the same toys out of the same pram for that reason instead.
'Club record transfer'. 'One of the biggest deals in Championship history'. Even if the selling club want to impress their fans, this is a major investment by Arsenal in one of England's most exciting teenage stars.
The negotiations have been off and on for six months, even if many fans today have expressed surprise that Arsenal could 'act so fast in the transfer market'. Just because the tabloids haven't kept tabs on every move and non-move, as with Cesc Fábregas and Samir Nasri, doesn't mean nothing's happened.
Viewed from the outside, it looks as the transfer fee and add-ons have been the only obstacles. When Southampton decide to sell now, it's easy to guess that Arsenal have finally gone high enough. At the same time, the financial situation at St. Mary's isn't the easiest in the Championship. Arsenal may well have got away with a better deal than was expected.
Other suitors, like Liverpool and Manchester United, have been mentioned. There may be an element of forced hand: like United in the hunt for Phil Jones, Arsenal may have acted now to avoid missing out.
The player and his father, former England winger Mark Chamberlain, have made the right noises about Arsenal all the way. Other suitors have been considered, of course, but Arsène Wenger's track record with young players still persuade many stars of tomorrow.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain goes straight into the first team squad, Arsenal.com confirms.
So that's the third senior signing of the summer. Arsenal fans, however, are still not satisfied. On Twitter, the storms are still raging.
'The Chamberlain deal is only acceptable if Cahill and Mata are unveiled later this week,' is the gist of one Arsenal blogger's message to the world. As if Arsenal have the prerogative to decide which deals go through first, if at all.
'Another teenage winger isn't needed. A centre back is,' is another much tweeted reaction. As if different transfer deals aren't negotiated at the same time.
'Paying millions for a teenager from League 1 is insane when Arsenal need older heads,' is a brief summary of other reactions. As if our manager's track record with seasoned internationals were as good as his fostering of new talents.
I've only one thing to say: moaners gonna moan. If Arsenal had let young Alex slip away, the very same fans would have thrown the same toys out of the same pram for that reason instead.
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