Arsenal - wtf is going on

[DeanoUK]

I'm a little surprised really.
Not about the players going, but why there hasn't been an uproar by the Arsenal fans, nor why the press haven't jumped on it and absolutely cained Wenger and the Arsenal board.

Gilberto gone, Flamni, Kleb, Adebayor (heavily linked to move), I just don't understand why there hasn't been more of a deal made of about all of these players going - yet the Barry transfer is the major fecking saga of the summer.

Anyway, why are they all leaving, and what are they doing about replacements? Apart from Nasri, not much it seems.

[Darth Marty]

I dont think there is uproar simply because of Wenger.
Time and time again he has proven that his methods are the right methods and thats why Arsenal fans can rightly assume that next season will be another good one for them.

Lucky *******s to have such a good infastructure

[DeanoUK]

Yeah I can see that, I'd have confidence in him too - but they've only been 'nearly men' for the last few seaons, and last season were starting to just get to grips with each other - now they have to start pretty much all over again. Odd.

[dww]

I dont think there is uproar simply because of Wenger.
Time and time again he has proven that his methods are the right methods and thats why Arsenal fans can rightly assume that next season will be another good one for them.

Lucky *******s to have such a good infastructure

I'm not convinced this isn't a bridge to far though. For the first time in a long time they have lost a key player that they haven't wanted to sell in Flamini. The other losses on their own would be perfectly acceptable (for example Nasri has already been signed and is all but a direct replacement for Hleb and they have Walcott who may well progress).

I do think this year though the loss of an experienced player in Gilberto on top of Flamini leaves them very light and they had a weak squad last year (in terms of depth I mean). It is a big gamble to assume that one of Song, Diaby or Denilson will step up this season and they don't appear to have the money to buy themselves out of trouble.

In a way a stupid money move for Adebayor might yet save them by allowing them funds for a striker and a midfielder, especially if they get Eto'o in the deal.

I can see why people have faith in Wenger but since Rafa came his methods have kept them top four rather than challenging and this is the first time he has sold players while they were still improving.

[glynner]

The Arse have spent the thick end of 20 million this summer already in the shape of Nasri and Ramsey, though.

Like dww said, though, they need a defensive midfielder like Britney Spears needs underwear - and I fully expect Wenger to bring in someone before the season starts.

[Kenneth]

Because they're getting good money and Wenger has a good record of replacing big names with younger and cheaper models i would think.

[-V-]

Wenger is trusted and rightfully so. He will replace them no problem. Flamini left for the money and Hleb was his best mate so he left with him.

They will have a strong attack regardless, Adebayor, RVP, Walcott and Vela is with them now. Nasri is class and im sure Wenger will bring in another couple of midfielders before the season starts.

They will still do well

[Darth Marty]

Honestly Arsenal are my tip for the Prem next year.

As much as id love it to be us I can see the Arse having a great season.

[Marky]

The Gunners will never die.

*awaits cheap digs*

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

i wouldn't go as far as to say they will win the premiership but more in a similar position to us, a good summer and you never know.

I've got a feeling Chelsea will spend big and buy yet another title this season !

We may have a struggle on our hands to shake the three teams above us this season.

[Woobus]

I would be more worried by the fact when they get a great player they always want away from the club. They cant seem to keep their best players, and I know if Mascherano, Torres and Babel all wanted away from Liverpool then I would start to really worry about Rafas management skills.

[redheart]

It is not Wengers management skills that it is the problem.

It is the restrictive wage structure

[Individuum]

It has nothing to do with Wenger management skills. Most of them left because of money. Their wage structure is good for club's financial stability but money grabbing players will leave at some point of their career when they'll get better wages somewhere.
Flamini is probably only one who'll be missed, but I'm shure Wenger will find proper replacement. Hleb was useless (10 or 11 goals in three years??), Gilberto probably want to play regular football.

[EwarWoo]

Just imagine if we'd got Wenger when he moved to the PL.
- We'd not have been bought out by a yanks / arabs / a corporation, nor would it be looming over us
- We'd be producing some of the worlds best players
- We'd already have a new stadium
- We'd be paying off stadium debts rapidly
- We'd have won PL titles and would be in the running most years
- We'd be playing some of the most beautiful football in the world

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with Rafa, but everyone constantly goes on about how football as become all about money and selling out etc and how it's killing the game, yet also slates Wenger for not panderring to that mentality and giving the club a solid financial foundation so they don't have to sell out. And to me he is one of if not the best manager in the world because of this.

True football fans should be bowing down and worshipping the fella for keeping football about football in his tiny part of the PL, love or hate him or Arsenal.

[Woobus]

Just imagine if we'd got Wenger when he moved to the PL.
- We'd not have been bought out by a corporation, nor would it be looming over us
- We'd be producing some of the worlds best players
- We'd already have a new stadium
- We'd be paying off stadium debts rapidly
- We'd have won PL titles and would be in the running most years
- We'd be playing some of the most beautiful football in the world

Don't get me wrong, I'm happy with Rafa, but everyone constantly goes on about how football as become all about money and selling out etc and how it's killing the game, yet also slates Wenger for not panderring to that mentality and giving the club a solid financial foundation so they don't have to sell out. And to me he is one of if not the best manager in the world because of this.

I dont really agree with these as I still think we would have been sold due to Moores not being able to afford a new stadium and not having the right skills to take us to the next level.
From memory Wenger was all for a take over of Arsenal and there was even talk of him leaving due to his friend getting sacked over the whole affair.
From the look of the reseves we should start producing some of the worlds best players, just like Wenger it takes time for them to come of age.
Wenger has hardly been challenging for the league since Rafa joined, its been the same amount of time since they won a league title for a team. People complain that Rafa doesnt know how to win the Premiership due to it being different from the Spanish league. Well the Premiership is different from when Wenger last won it and there is no evidence that he will be able to do it again. If Wenger had the money he would be out splashing it on players its just the fact he doesnt and he admitted himself the Club is going to be a selling club for a few years.
Since Rafa has taken charge we have finished above them twice won the Champs League and FA Cup, how has Wenger done in that time. He is a good manager but no way near the best in the world, unfortunatley that would probably go to Fergie