By Fab4.
Watch out Arsenal fans, Arsene Wenger has got the record out and pushed ‘play’ early this year. Gooners must have become accustomed by now to the Arsene Wenger school of ‘summer transfer talk’. After a fruitless season he talks about making important ‘super, super’ signings that he knows the club needs, experience will be added, he knows his targets and intends to do his business early, etc, etc. Before we are left waiting right up until the last minute of the window, only to be disappointed by a lack of investment in the Arsenal squad.
Well this year Arsene has dusted off his record and got the Arsenal.com writers working over-time before the season has even finished. Only last week he talked about making 2-3 important signings. We all thought ‘great’. But today we heard the dreaded ‘internal’ word being used for the first time, which usually is Wenger’s way of subtly telling us he intends to stick with what he’s got due to existing players improving from the previous season and he believes in them. How long before we hear the ‘injured players returning to fitness are like new signings’ one?
Below is an article published today, with the writer focusing on Wenger saying he wants experienced players. But from past experience’s, I’m reading between the lines to take a different view on what his words might actually mean:
“We have plenty of young players,” said the 60-year-old. “If we bring some players in then they have to be experienced players.”
“I think we have been in the race this year with the team we had. We will be stronger next year just with the internal improvement and with the experience these players will have now. The additions will be minimal but if there are some they have to be really top class.”
How many times have we heard this before? The key words for me are ‘if’ and ‘internal’. It shouldn’t be ‘if’ Arsenal make signings, it should be when. There is no doubt we need new players, three at a minimum, so no more ‘if’ please Arsene. And the fact he says that additions will be ‘minimal’ worries me also. After the way we have capitulated this season, i had hoped Arsene had finally realised we needed 3-4 new players.
Then there is the ‘internal improvement’ rubbish. Yes some players will get better and learn, but some wont and this is just your way of telling yourself the Arsenal squad will be good enough next year, thus convincing you not to buy. Plus players from other clubs will also improve from this year, so it means very little. Internal is one of Arsene Wenger’s favorite words. Who remembers the ‘we are confident we can find internal solutions’ line following Van Persies injury and subsequent lack of signing a striker in January? Arsenal’s ‘internal solutions’ are not good enough to compete in four competitions, so go and buy the players we need. Simple.
I hope I’m jumping the gun and the boss goes out and proves me wrong by signing a couple of experienced first team contenders, but I’m only talking from past experience here. I’v heard these words and seen how they predictably evolve throughout a transfer window for 4-5 years now, resulting in signings like Silvestre.
If he does follow his past philosophy and fail to bring in the players everyone knows we need to be serious contenders next year, Wenger will find himself under unparalleled pressure from Arsenal fans. Another barren year and know body will be relieved to hear your signing a new two year contract extension…believe me!
What do Arsenal fans think of Wenger’s latest comments? Please leave your comments below….
