Is not being able to keep our players really a recent development?

[JJSB]

Anelka definitely forced Arsene's hand, not sure to what extent Petit and Overmars did. But on the other hand we allegedly kept Vieira to his contract, and possibly Henry too. Is the difference simply that back in that era there was still a realistic prospect of competing for trophies, so perhaps the players wouldn't try too hard for a move, and now there isn't? Realise the running down contracts scenario is a bit different to some of the above examples.

[Peter]

We did lose pthere players for nothing- wiltord, pires, edu, flamini.

Obviously they were not our very best players. Previously there seemed to e an extent to which the club was in control .now it feels as though we are powerless, which of course we are. It starts with players wanting to play for you. If they dont, and they are getting better offers, the only control you have is over the timing pf when thy leave.

Of course, the gigantic wages on offer elsewhere doesnt help. Although the likes of real were offering huge sums ten years ago.

[Monty91]

[Monty91]

[sodd]

[Monty91]

[sodd]

Diarra

[JJSB]

on the situation at Highbury. Surely now we are in a better position than at Highbury to offer much better wages too than the comparable figures back then?
Though the players can get that matched or bettered elsewhere so again the cycle comes back to what are the prospects of succeeding at Arsenal.

[Monty91]

[Peter]

Clichy, nasri, cesc, rvp....our three best players in quick succession.

The sheer turnover in our squad in the last three years or so.

[JJSB]

Losing both for peanuts seemed inexcusable. Know we were in the middle of a title race, but something like threaten to drop Flamini unless he signed a contract, and if he didn't then play Diarra so he then thinks of staying. Though with him get the impression he'd have caused trouble at some point

[Monty91]

You've gotta think we were happy to ship Clichy out. He was frankly a joke of a footballer by the time he left us and we are starting to see why Wenger's kept faith with Gibbs.

[sodd]

I think we had him for 3 seasons.

[redgunamo]

No, not at all http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/rubchin.gif

[Peter]

Surprised at you.

[sodd]

Pretty sure his must have been an ego problem, given that even Mourinho shifted him on.
IF Flamini's place had been under threat, he could have possibly have turned that into a negative, along the lines of not getting regular football and wanting 'out'.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

They mostly have not grown up as fans of the club, despite the signing day statements.

I don't see why they would not seen other adventures or chase the pound/euro and medals.

[Ashberto]

It has been suggested that leaving us somehow stopped him being crap.

Probably by Neg, tbf, but there you go.

[Luis Anaconda]

or passing had led to him losing it, was worshipped by some on here for no fathomable reason, bit of a c**t. Mourinho has now sold him twice now

[JJSB]

so perhaps had no real strategy for the opposite happening. It's possible unless overruled by the board he'd have assumed the same with Van Persie and he'd still be here now, but for the happenings of the last few years.
I remember Diarra had a really good game for us in a Carling Cup tie

[Classic Jorge]

It's the middle class, home counties types you cant trust, SW

[redgunamo]

Why is it so hard for us all to accept that buying players low and selling them high has been our plan since just before we decided to hire Wenger to actually carry it out?

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

[Classic Jorge]

[Luis Anaconda]

[Classic Jorge]

[Ashberto]

That cup tie. He had a fine game that night.

[redgunamo]

Is that actually true? I was thinking merely money http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/hehe.gif

[Pokster]

[Peter]

The club fought like mad to keep anelka and didnt sell a single top player again until vieira left in 2005.

It wasnt the plan and you know it. Had it been, vieira and henry would have left when their stock was at its highest, ditto pires, bergkamp etc.

[Classic Jorge]

13th Baron of St Reatham

[Monty91]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Good player mind you.

[Monty91]

[Classic Jorge]

That's why the creosote coloured failed fruit and veg salesman has climbed so far up usmanov's arse.

[redgunamo]

of the Arsenal, but the overall effect is still the same.

[Ashberto]

[Luis Anaconda]

I would favour the latter, given the speed with which Suker and Henry entered the picture once he went. And losing Petit and Overmars the following season might be said to be losing a couple of stars

[Pokster]

[Peter]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Or did they become useless ********s when they left.

[JJSB]

being coveted by the top European clubs whilst at Arsenal? Maybe it was the non flying thing, or he was viewed as having flaws at the very highest level?

[Peter]

More honoured in the breach than in the observance http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/smile.gif

[redgunamo]

it's no longer worth us keeping him. Or at least, it would be good business to finally, reluctantly let him leave.

[Ashberto]

(c) Frimmers.

[Luis Anaconda]

i would happily have sold him after his performance on the last day of the season against Villa - moany c**t could have scored one and won me a lot of money as topscorer in the league but barely made an effort

[Maz]

[Peter]

Making this one of your stranger arguments http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/smile.gif

[7evens]

[Peter]

I understand he already knew he would come and was planning to do it at some point. Not that arsene or arsenal would EVER discuss such matters with a player under contract, of course.

[Classic Jorge]

[Luis Anaconda]

so the speculation didn't follow. Though he was always unlikely to return to Italy so on Barca and Real were realistic options of the biggest clubs and they were in quite good shape in those positions. I don't know really http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/smile.gif

[redgunamo]

His replacement will no doubt cost us the same as he has, perhaps only a little more.

I am really trying hard to find the article from a few years back in which it was all spelled out.

[Luis Anaconda]

[Peter]

But of course he was never going to move back to italy and was, by all accounts, incredibly happy in england. I dont think he would have entertained the thought of leaving at that point.

Later on, when his role and form returned, he was too old for a big move.

Out of all our players, i think he was probably the most comfortable at the club, and with arsene.

[redgunamo]

I find it's always better to look at what actually happens though, rather than what people say they would like to happen http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/smile.gif

[Luis Anaconda]

This is getting boring now

[Bergkamp's Brain]

who felt they had better options, financially, by going elsewhere.

Recently we have lost Cesc and RvP because they don't believe that staying at Arsenal was going to yield them trophies, or perhaps they have lost faith in the club?

[Peter]

It is terrifying. I miss him so much http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/cry.gif

[Bergkamp's Brain]

[Bergkamp's Brain]

[Classic Jorge]

http://www.awimb.com/images/smiley_icons/cry.gif

[Bergkamp's Brain]

and never reached the heights they did at Arsenal, at Barca

[Bergkamp's Brain]

apparently he was told he would be leaving in 2001??? Someone I know went to look at his house which was on the market. Thjen he came back with a bang in 2002 and the rest is history.

Incidently the guy who went to see Bergkamp's house ended up buying one next to Kanu.

[redgunamo]

So, basically, either Wenger is **** or we simply have better players nowadays.