Mata

[Leyton388]

Arsenal's offer is just under what Villa wants for Downing.

Which is why they won't get Mata. He will go for atleast £23m. Arsenal will not go that high but spend the same amount on some no mark kids from france and Africa.

[Mostar]

I'm not so sure.

Imo things are different this year as Gunners fans are growing extremely impatient and Wenger will need to abandon his normal ways of finding young upcoming talent and go and spend big instead to improve their chances for next year cause if he doesn't they will be the team struggling to stay in top 4.

Clearly him going after Mata indicates imo the change of strategies in players market.

Money should be available and if Cesc goes, and it seems very possible atm, the funds will be available to be reinvested in the squad.

[wavydavy]

I thought they paid £17m for Reyes?

And Overmars. Consider they do it for a living some journos footy knowledge is shocking.

[Mark79]

Overmars didn't cost Arsenal anywhere near £17m, not even half that!

[dww]

I thought they paid £17m for Reyes?

Wiki claims that the fee was £10.5 with add ons (which could have risen to £1m).

Despite that I can't help feeling that being as we have almost no firm knowledge of any transfer fees arguing over them is all a bit pointless.

[Muddled]

Fabregas telling a Huddersfield player to '**** off' when asked for his shirt at the end of the game, watching the F1 instead of the teams last game of the season, refusing to report back for pre-season training ... all whilst captain of the club? Classless.

I still think Arsenal would be an attractive offer for Mata - Champions League footy, been around the top of the Premiership for years, London lifestyle etc but I also can't see Arsenal breaking the bank for him and maybe a more personalised touch from Kenny, a promise of first team football and being part of a new and exciting project could sway it.

[Exiled_red]

We will just have to see how it pans out but getting Suarez gives me hope.

I think there is a significant difference between Mata and Suarez transfers, when we bid for Suarez we were supposedly the only club in for him, it seems there weill be alot of clubs in for Mata which will make it more difficult.

While Arsenal look a more attractive option at the moment with CL football, how would they look if they lost Fabregas and Nasri?

[rodo]

maybe wenger see`s him as the tough tackling centre half they clearly need

[Cormack74]

Arsenal aren't renown for paying big wages plus we have the Spanish / South American contingent already.

If we're genuinely interested I reckon we would be slight favourites ahead of them.

[dww]

I think there is a significant difference between Mata and Suarez transfers, when we bid for Suarez we were supposedly the only club in for him, it seems there weill be alot of clubs in for Mata which will make it more difficult.

While Arsenal look a more attractive option at the moment with CL football, how would they look if they lost Fabregas and Nasri?

I can't imagine them selling both. Wenger has a very good record of keeping players while they are useful to him. My feeling is that we will see a couple of signings in to Arsenal to convince the likes of Nasri. You have to think this season or next Fabregas goes to Barca.

[danperkins]

The only real difference between us and Arsenal is that they can offer Champs League football, when Cesc goes they'll have money to up their bid for Mata and maybe compete a bit better in the market for other names, i can't see Arsenal being stingy this transfer window with their lack of silverware, IMO Wenger (although a great manager) is losing the Arsenal fans season by season, i respect his youth policy and the way he likes his teams to play the game of football, but he is too stubborn and doesn't adapt or roll with the market, unfortunately over inflated prices are the norm.

Suppose it all comes down to whether Mata wants Champs League football?

[Fredo]

I think Wenger's policy will pay off, his team is still quite young and it takes a bit of maturing before everything falls into place. Great manager IMO, has got principles and sticks with them. He does annoy me sometimes but hey, he's competitive and wants to win and he doesn't stand the **** Mr. Ferguson and his cronies come with.

[dww]

I think Wenger's policy will pay off, his team is still quite young and it takes a bit of maturing before everything falls into place. Great manager IMO, has got principles and sticks with them. He does annoy me sometimes but hey, he's competitive and wants to win and he doesn't stand the **** Mr. Ferguson and his cronies come with.

He's clearly a very good manager but I think he has become stuck in a rut. The problems inherent in the Arsenal side have been there for a while and since Kolo Toure left he really hasn't adapted his defensive style at all. I think he needs a substantial change of policy with regards recruitment and possibly to get some fresh input in the coaching side.

I think it is more than needing players to mature - I think he has to move with a changing tactical world and accept and rectify problems within his squad. Even Barcelona accept the utility of tall players in defence and have the option of two more defensive/combative midfielders for when it is needed.

[Gaz]

It's very hard to see Wengers policy paying off any time soon, you need a blend of youth and experience and the experienced players at Arsenal just don't cut it for me, they're never the ones to stand up and be counted so until he gets in some quality experienced players then they'll struggle to get top 4 IMO, especially with the amounts of money the other top teams can throw at players as Arsenal won't break their rigid pay structures which while being commendable will only get them so far

[Fredo]

I have not watched closely how his team fare when they don't have the ball, but I don't think they're noticeable with a high pressing game as well. I think, like you said, it's something borne out more in the type of players which came through his system rather than something by design. He's focused his policy on technique, especially in the build of players he's had.

Not sure about Barca though, but I don't think they've got really tall players in their squad, but their pressing game is just incredible.