If Arsene has changed tack and opted for more experience

[JJSB]

there's an interesting knock on effect of that. Unless he simultaneously develops a few more young diamonds too, then there's not much resale value for these players who get into their 30s. The signings of last summer and this largely funded with younger player sales, with a fair bit left over too. So it could be the balance sheet for players looks less impressive in the future. Though if FFP comes in this will probably be far less of an issue.

[Paul Davis' Left Hook]

[Red N White Army]

What's the point? Might as well buy more experienced, supplemented with the odd young un like AOC/Jack, and forget the idea that you can have a team that grows together.

[Red N White Army]

This is nothing new really.

[JJSB]

Be affected. Cazorla might turn a profit if he leaves, then again he's already 27, but we probably got him on the cheap in the first place

[Wilsheres Clockwork Toy]

Jesus we really are more like a business then a football club.

[Red N White Army]

In order to break even. Think the purse strings have been loosened a touch, what with cover from the property sales and cash in the bank.

[Wilsheres Clockwork Toy]

A trophy perhaps http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/shrug.gif not asking much is it.

[PSRB]

[Maravilloso Marvo]

You have an Everton one with Jags on, don't you?

[Wilsheres Clockwork Toy]

Unfortunately all the hero's are greedy c**ts. Greed destroys everything, football is no different.

[PSRB]

will be a bit reluctant knowing that their hero will probably leave before the shirt is replaced! (I do occasionally buy a shirt for playing 7-aside)

No but the wife does have said Everton shirt

[Red N White Army]

Have got themselves. They don't need CL football or a trophy. More here

http://news.arseblog.com/2012/08/arsenal-cco-were-confident- on-new-sponsorship-deals/ (http://news.arseblog.com/2012/08/arsenal-cco-were-confident-on-new-sponsorship-deals/)

[Peter]

Ideally he would still besigning younger players. For 15 million you can get a 20 year old who might be top drawer in a fewyears and worth 30 million. A 25 year old is less likely to improve that much.

More importantly, in previous years he probably felt his squad was already good enough to finish in the top four, so he could afford to gamble on younger players who might prove superb. Now his squad clearly isnt good enough and he needs players who can perform right away, this season.

Look at arteta. On paper, not a great signing- 10 million for a guy with an injury record and no resale value. For us, he was a superb signing and we wouldnt have fi ished third without him. We desperately needed him.

[Peter]

And we look like heading for the same, possibly more, this summer.

[AL5Gooner]

I'm totally pissed off with the whole thing. To lose Cesc, Ca$hri, RVP, Song and Walcott suggests to me that there is a problem somewhere!

We are basically "re-building" a large part of our team again this season. It will take half a season for it to gel (if it does) There is something wrong, but I cannot quite get to the stage where I can clearly understand what the problem is. It seems to be a combination of director / owner level policies, Arsene's sense of developing players in his own style (in order for them to then piss off) etc.