Wenger already making excuses, reminding us that other clubs stillhave more money than us

[Monty91]

[Harry Balls]

And he's big on stats. This time last year, he was about to get his arse handed to him by the fans. I'd layer in a little dampening of expectations too, if I were him. After tomorrow, we have Champs League games, Everton & Man City. He's a wise old f**k, if it a bit obstinate.

[Mc Gooner]

It's not a level playing field.

It's a fact, not necessarily an excuse. Can't see the harm in making that point tbh.

[the splendor of antigone]

We still can't compete financially with the likes of Man City and Chelsea, so to suggest that he is making excuses is a bit silly if that is implying that not winning the title need necessarily be a failure. We're getting closer, the sensible thing is not too expect too much, too soon.

[Monty91]

[the splendor of antigone]

every summer. Given those circumstances it certainly was trophy-like insofar as that is interpreted as being a great achievement given the restrictions we were under.

It wouldn't really be a great achievement now seeing as we're financially better off and have not had to sell any major names to turn a profit.

A proper title-challenge and a decent run in the cups would constitute a good season imo. As long as we improve on last season. And we will.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Not really sure what he would be excusing, but that is a different issue.

It is not lack of finances which have stopped us recruiting another centre-half (to this point), a new midfield option to be a viable alternative to or upgrade on Arteta, a new centre forward to be a viable alternative to or upgrade on Giroud.

In the case of the latter two it is that he is happy with his players and options. He has an unswerving faith in his players as we have seen many times over the years.

[Monty91]

[the splendor of antigone]

[the splendor of antigone]

We can definitely improve on him.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Partly because he rolls his sleeves up and on his second debut came onto the pitch, clattered a Spurs player and proceeded to point a lot and attempt to bring a sense of order to the midfield.

Partly because at the time we signed him last summer there was a near desperation for any signing.

I think you will concur that by the second half of the season his contribution had waned considerably.

Partly because he is not by professional footballer standards that good a footballer.

['Neg]

[Monty91]

We are only Arsenal. What other club of our size has more strength in depth?

[Nicosia Gooner]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Others will of course differ.

In terms of your back up question, are you arguing that we could not upgrade on Flamini? Perhaps even an upgrade to a level where that player could be seen as equal or even superior to Arteta?

Arteta is a fine player of course, and represents more to the side than simply his position but surely the basis of summer recruitment is to identify positions which could be improved on and to do so.

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

I doubt we have been in the top 20 until the last two years.

The old, long term, financial deals were awful and tied our hands. Now the new deals are allowing the expenditure.

We are still behind at least 6 clubs, maybe more.

I would still get rid of both of them and get somebody who can also run

['Neg]

Bit rich coming from you tbh
:driving:

[Monty91]

We are still only arsenal compared to the 5-6 clubs richer than us

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

Maybe not

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

I would like them to be a viable alternative as I said. I don’t think Flamini is, I don’t think he even challenges Arteta’s place in the side.

Not sure what you mean by ‘only Arsenal’ by the way. We’re a huge club, a global club if you will, playing in the self-styled best league in the world with a manager perceived by many to be among the best in the world, situated in one of the best cities in the world. An enormous draw for any professional footballer.

There will always be the super elite of the two Spanish clubs and 1-2 others, but to say 'only Arsenal" is a bit silly.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Lazy wee f**ker.

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Sorry, my mistake. It was Amsterdam but there was no correlation.

None.

[Monty91]

They can pay reserves 150k a week.

We can only pay that to our best few players (I assume).

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

Seeing the consultant next week. If the X-ray is ok then plaster off and support boot on for 2-3 weeks. Physio as well.

You coming over?

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Perhaps not scaling the exact 150 you mention but enormous 6 figure weekly salaries.

Football is only going one way and whether we like it or not we are now in that league. A player like Walcott for example is out of contract in 24 months so will probably be negotiating in the next 6 months. He is already one of the highest earners (pre MO and AS) due to his protracted negotiations the last time and is presumably going to look for an increase.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

I had the pleasure of the online box office earlier.

[Monty91]

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

Neither you nor I truly know what we can or cannot afford.

One person will look at annual accounts and see huge accumulated profits and assume x, y and z. For arguments sake let’s call this person Mr Payton.

The reality is that unless you are in the inner sanctum of the club, present at board meetings etc, then you will not know what we can afford. Being willing to spend is as relevant as being able to.

We’re not poor anymore, Mr Gazidis has made a very public declaration of this. Players, agents, selling clubs will all be aware of this. By signing Ozil and Sanchez we have moved into a whole new world. There is always scope for your lesser budget Debuchy type players but we’re big boys now. Fans expect a certain level of signing now.

Players like Ozil & Sanchez will want to play with players of a certain level.

If you were decorating your new house (apartment?) you would not have 1-2 Faberge eggs in a cabinet and then surround it with Ikea tables would you.

[Steve Williams - gay for Mark Knopfler]

:guinness: then :fight: then more :fight: then :judge:

Or more likely :hide:

[Monty91]

[Witharby 2-3 weeks]

[Monty91]

that we can't afford to fill the squad with players on 150 a week

[redgunamo]

Probably also with a nod to those Gooners who believe the game is all about how much you spend. This is for when we lift one or two of the large pots in May, I mean.