No splashing of the cash at Arsenal
|12:00 UK time, Thursday, 11 February 2010
'What's possession mean, Daddy?' asked my five year old, as he scanned the sports pages of the newspaper. I can't really blame his mother for that ....
He was looking at the report of Chelsea's victory over Arsenal, and was quite excited to learn that despite being soundly beaten, Arsenal had actually enjoyed more of the ball. As I started to explain the curse of statistics, my mind turned again to the frustration of watching Arsene Wenger's team.
Like many Premier League neutrals, I love watching Arsenal at their free flowing best, and seriously admire Wenger's belief that a club should not spend more than it earns.
The Wenger Way
Yet it seems as if the Frenchman imposes stricter limits on spending than is necessary, in order to satisfy himself that he can win the Premier League and Champions League his way. It would be a magnificent achievement for an Arsenal grown eleven to thrive playing Wenger's alluring brand of football, but barring Champions League victory - or sub-par league performances from both Chelsea and Manchester United over the last dozen games - Arsenal will end the season without a trophy for the fifth year in a row.
The North London club reported record profits earlier this season, and even though they will be repaying the debt on their new stadium for many years, it looks as if Wenger has set himself a personal challenge which has made his side uncompetitive against the very best teams in Europe. I suspect he wouldn't get as much satisfaction by winning with the help of players built elsewhere, and so is determined to compete by his own rules.
He doesn't need to throw money at the team. But when Emmanuel Adebayor was sold to Manchester City shortly before the start of the season, no replacement was sought. And even though Robin van Persie was cruelly injured on international duty in November, no striker was added to the squad in the January transfer window.
I accept it would have been very difficult to find a top class player in Wenger's mould who was prepared to move mid-season, but a striker who could have added ten goals between now and May would have been invaluable. A dose of pragmatism every now and again can make a patient feel a lot better.
Changes ahead ?
A major concern is that eventually the core of the team will dishearten of Wenger's project. Matthieu Flamini and Alexander Hleb have already departed, and even though Cesc Fabregas consistently pledges his allegiance to the cause, won't the time come (later this year according to reports in Spain) when he finally accepts that he must find a team capable of winning the silverware his talent demands? The team could fracture further just as it is reaching maturity, and every time that happens, Wenger's plans are set back a couple of years.
If Arsenal do win the Premier League title next season, it will be vindication of the Arsene Wenger way, and a wonderful riposte to irresponsible spending. But it may not happen unless Wenger relaxes his own self-imposed rules.
The Premier League title race is something you may want to call me about in Sportsworld Have Your Say this Saturday from 1730 GMT on the BBC World Service. Is it now a two horse race between Manchester United and Chelsea? I'd love to hear from you on + 44 207 083 73 33.
Russell
Comment number 1.
At 14:58 12th Feb 2010, Tanimu Umar wrote:Arsenal cannot win anything with their current squad. By relying on the pint-size Arshavin upfront they have potentially throw out any hope of challenging Chelsea and Man United for the Premier League title. Wenger has made a huge mistake by not signing a striker during the January transfer window.
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Comment number 2.
At 03:19 13th Feb 2010, SHIRAJ AHMED wrote:Arsenal is probably one of the two best managed clubs in world football, alongside Barcelona. Arsene Wenger's 'Brand Wenger' model has been a success despite the trophy-less run. Success in football is not necessarily winning trophies; successfully building a brand that appreciates reality and the future is true success.
The rest of the Premier League are jealous Arsenal's global appeal and prospects are growing and glowing. The fans, however, are frustrated that Wenger, apparently puts the happiness of shareholders ahead of them but, pleased the club has a future.
Within the five years, Arsenal built a Champions League knock-out profile and the world's most attractive football stadium (Emirates), recorded record profits and gave the world the real value of football (entertainment). There may not be a Premier League competing Manchester United (& other success-buying clubs) in 40 years because I can't see Old Trafford successfully managing their $1.1 billion debt. Arsenal, thanks to enviable Wenger leadership, will be healthier and grow with competition beyond the next two generations.
We may not be without Cesc Fabregas next season but, we'll thrive well and compete well. We need a goalkeeper, central defender and striker.
I'll appreciate a non-title winning Arsenal than a debt-ridden title-winning Arsenal. What's the point in buying success at the expense of future prosperity? Respect to Arsenal and Wenger for protecting the future of football. It's a only a matter of time before Arsenal strike the triumph.
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Comment number 3.
At 10:41 13th Feb 2010, Ibrahim Yawale wrote:We're in transition from Arsenal football club to Arsenal financial club! All they care for is net income, not net trophies.
His ideology of diminutive spending will lead him to nowhere. He'll end up a sore loser and a veteran under-achiever...
Wenger should know that we're in the 21st century where money is more vital than knowledge.
We aren't necessarily yearning for a world-class squad... But we need established winners in the team, so that the current 'world-class learners' we have, can learn from them... A great goalkeeper, good right-back, a veteran midfield general and a world-class Striker! That's the perfect blend that we're yearning for... And a change in still of play by allowing others to take the possession while we take control of the scoreline.
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Comment number 4.
At 01:25 17th Feb 2010, huw roberts wrote:how can you call your programme that goes to air on saturdays sportsworld when in actual fact you air massive advert for the premier league. you should call your programme football in england and bits of other things. where can i see the relavent guidelines for programme content.
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Comment number 5.
At 19:13 17th Nov 2010, prince arsenal wrote:That has always been the philosophy of the french tactitian ever since he took over the mantle over a decade ago.
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