Over paid and over there, 2012 - 13 Season Preview
Leaning on a goal post
By Eduardo
August 17 2012
It’s that time of year again, grown men in a state of childish excitement, it’s the eve of a new FAPL season. Of course for Arsenal fans it would not be complete without some angst, so step forward Robin Van P€r$i€. It seems it took the announcement of an agreement to sell him to ManU for a reported £24M, for many Gooners to realise what many of us knew the minute he put out his public statement, that his time at Arsenal was finished and that he indeed has feet of clay to go with his glass ankles.
Alex Song is strongly rumoured to be about to follow him out the door, this time to Barca, so all in all that has many Gooners throwing their toys out of the pram and crying loudly across Arsenal blog land. But you won’t find me amongst them, I’ve been around too long to worry about any player who leaves Arsenal for a few bucks more, all that concerns me is those players who are still Arsenal players, they are the only ones worth taking up our time. Not some guy who has gone to Man Utd for wages that should be viewed as obscene by nearly every football fan. Sadly we live in a time when fans seem to be unable to engage their brains long enough to take a serious look at what players are getting paid.
So I ask everyone reading this piece to just for a moment consider and compare the £200K to what you yourself earn, the average working man (and so the average working fan) in the UK earns £26K or so a year, so that’s about 8 years wages paid to RVP by Man U each week, or to put it better 400 years wages each year. In the middle of a major recession its laughable to hear many who are struggling to put food on the table or make ends meet, still come out on the side of bowing down to players and over paying them by so much, I’ll say it again Robin Van P€r$i€ will in one year get what it would take the average working man 400 years to earn. So good luck to him but I won’t cry over him leaving.
Other than RVP leaving there has been some major changes at Arsenal over the summer, true Arsenal man Pat Rice has retired from his role as assistant to Arsene Wenger and now does a little bit of scouting for the club, he just can’t break the ties of true loyalty. Steve Bould and Neil Banfield have been promoted from their roles with the U18’s and Reserves to take over from Rice. Oddly only Terry Burton has so far come in to replace Bould and Banfield, Steve Gatting is still expected by many to be named U18 manager, but I’m told that there is still another candidate whom the club have been trying to appoint.
On the playing front Lukas Podolski, Oliver Giroud and Santi Cazorla have been signed, all three look like they are fine players who will strengthen our team and squad, I especially like Cazorla. I’m told we are in talks over more signings, with two more at least wanted. I, like Wenger, would rather the transfer window was shut before the season kicks off – be it earlier closure or a later start to the season. So that we know from first game of the season who we have or have not got.
I’m more concerned with the possibility of Song leaving than the loss of RVP, mainly because we have signed good attacking players, but until midfield is upgraded I would be concerned over the loss of Song. It is nice to see Diaby have an injury free preseason, all Gooners should hope he has an injury free season, and then they might know what Wenger means by “he is like a new signing”, I’m looking forward to seeing Jack Wilshere back fit again and at the moment we most need Sagna to regain his fitness, as his back up Jenkinson is our most inexperienced understudy.
Of the deadwood, Denilson is out on a season loan (Sao Paulo are said to be paying his full wages), Almunia has been released into the wild (and like a true Wenger pet he has not dared venture far, and now can be found training next door, having joined Watford), Bendtner, Squillaci and Park have all been told to sort out moves away and there is still a chance Djourou and Chamakh will be let go, depending on arrivals. Like many Gooners I hope we ship out most if not all of the deadwood in the next two weeks. My fear is that as long as they hang around Wenger will not bring in more players as he will not be hard nosed enough to dump several players into the reserves and out of the 25 man squad.
Overall I am much happier with the squad and team we have now compared to this time last season, and am looking forward to the season as much as ever and I think we will finish in the top 4 – for me we could finish in any of the top 4 slots, it will take many things to fall into place to win the title, such as new players adapting quickly. Wenger finally rotating effectvely, Bould and Banfield having an influence on the training ground, and no major injury crisis, a bit of luck and more fair play. But it could happen, I also see no reason why if taken serious enough why the Capital One cup or the FA Cup can not be won, the CL would need very kind draws in the knockout stages, but QF or SF not beyond us.
So to finish I advise all Gooners to get behind the team and expect nothing more than the usual roller coaster ride that is a nine month football season and enjoy the ride as you never know what it may end up with.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:08:20:12:46:49 by Padre Pio.
And can I endorse what you say about the obscene wages these mercenaries demand - it is disgusting. Remember how sick we all were when Ashley Cole reported how upset he was at "only" being offered £60k a week. RvP and others are now demanding more than 3 times that.
They are all mercenaries - don't assume young Jack Wilshere, or the Ox will be any different in the future when the money corrupts them.
As for the season, in the medium to long term, I think our squad is slightly stronger due to the 3 new quality signings.
My worries are these:
a) In the short term,losing RvP AND Song would surely disrupt the whole rhythm of the team which was very much set up around them both last season. It must take time for the new team to adjust and get used to a different approach - might that time be long enough for us to fall behind the other leading teams, especially as we have the hardest initial set of fixtures of the top teams ? If we are right up there at the end of September, I think we are in with a shout.
b) Defence - we have 3 top quality central defenders plus Djourou. Miguel and Bartley have gone on loan or left. We MUST get in one more top quality central defender. Maybe Mexes from Milan as part of a deal with Bendtner. I would keep Djourou as I think he is potentially a very good defensive midfielder, which we also lack. Like others, I too am worried about the cover for Sagna being weak. In a year or two Jenkinson or Yennaris might be good enough but I am not yet convinced on either.It is a worry.
c) The best form of defence is....to have a strong midfield with some defensive minds in there. I still think Biglia, Capoue or even M'Vila (though he seems to be a troublemaker) would really strengthen our options in midfield. We do, on paper, have strong midfield options across the board. Diaby MAY be a revelation this year but it seems risky to rely on it. And Rosicky being sick again, and Wilshere's never-ending injuries are a real worry.
Overall, I think we probably will win something this year - though probably only a domestic cup. I suspect we are being under-rated again by everyone.
Greedy (unt.
With regards to the cast offs, Chamack and Bendtner, still waiting to hear they're gone. If they both go i'd expect to see Mirallas, or someone of that ilk signed up.
As for Park, what the fu(k happened with that man?!! He scores almost every game he plays in. But can't get a seat on the bench?!
Now he's told we don't want him?! I'd love to have an inside scoop on that one!!
Also, i'd be very surprised if Djourou was to go. He must be as good a 4th choice CB as there is in the league, and he seems to love the club. So i've no quarrel with him, so long as he doesn't play RB again!
It's RB where I think we need more strength in depth. Although when I see Yennaris play, I can't help but think he reminds me a little of Lee Dixon, and we all know how good he was! So maybe, it can work out, so long as he's got Mertesackers positional sense protecting him.
All in all, I'm really looking forwards to this season. Esp' now i've heard Bac, Jack, Rosicky and Frimps should be back in training in a month (fingers crossed). I honestly see cause for optimism this year. Plus, for the first time, I can lay claim to having (1/2) a season ticket!
I'll be there shouting my throat hoarse (*sp?) backing the team. Got a cold at the moment, so i may not be making any sound after half time, but i'll be trying!
Good work, Ed.
It ain't all doom and gloom, we just need to get going to remind the nay sayers!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:08:18:01:42:57 by Philly the kid.
Can we just have a season where we have some luck for once?
Nice to read something with a little balance and perspective for once.
*Signing Ozil is a signing Bergkamp type moment for Arsenal. It changes things utterly.*
"When we had to suffer the team is a lion because they suffer together." 4 July 2020 at Wolverhampton Wanderers
Arteta on his team's first away victory at a club above them in the Premiership since September 2015 at Leicester.
*Signing Ozil is a signing Bergkamp type moment for Arsenal. It changes things utterly.*