Overspending would be crazy - Wenger
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Arsene Wenger is under pressure to spend this summer
Arsene Wenger has launched a staunch defence of Arsenal's transfer policy, insisting the idea they should spend money they do not have is the reason "the whole world is bankrupt".
Arsenal have come in for heavy criticism in the wake of the Champions League thrashing at AC Milan and FA Cup exit to Sunderland, with many feeling the club have failed to adequately replace the likes of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.
There have been reports that, with captain Robin van Persie approaching the final year of his contract, the Gunners are now prepared to spend in the summer to avert a decline.
However, Arsenal have always emphasised the importance of their self-sustaining business model, and Wenger feels taking the kind of financial risk advocated by the club's critics would be foolish.
"What is unbelievable is that we run the model that should be absolutely normal and we look crazy. That is crazy," Wenger said. "People will do anything stupid, but we are not crazy, we are all right.
"We spend £1 if we make £1 and [then people say] 'What are they doing?' That is what is absolutely mad in our world, but the whole world is bankrupt because of that."
Wenger feels Arsenal would be genuine challengers this season without having had to invest in world-class signings had Fabregas and Samir Nasri not departed and Jack Wilshere not missed the season through injury.
"Last year we were very close to the top and there was a rupture in the building of our team with losing Fabregas, Nasri and Wilshere," he said. "We could compete with anybody in Europe with our midfield."
Wenger acknowledges that Arsenal's refusal to match the wages on offer at other clubs is an issue, and he added: "When we play a young team you have to understand as well that we have chosen that policy.
"What is difficult to take once you get close is that the players move, and that is where we are in trouble. It is not the policy, it is not keeping our players once they arrive in a mature way."
Given Arsenal's recent poor form, Sunday's game at home to Tottenham could hardly have come at a worse time. Spurs go into the game ten points ahead of their arch-rivals, but Wenger says players have every chance of taking all three points.
"At the moment I believe that Tottenham are a good club, with a massive support, which they have had always, but I believe we are highly capable to compete with them and if you look at the consistency we have produced at the top level, there is no comparison," he said.
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Is not keeping the players a flaw in your policy? Which makes it part of the policy? Why are players moving?
Nasri said in June last year he was waiting to see the developments at the club in July he didn't see any progressive developments so he handed in a transfer request!
Cahill (an Arsenal target) Parker (should have been an Arsenal target) both went for under £10m. Per Mertersacker came in for £10m which in my opinion considering his performances was an overpayment!
It's not just about overpayment Aresnal have been selling quality players for huge sums and replacing them with poor quality poundlad replacements!
If Arsenal brought in some proven recognised talent from time to time and were achieving trophy success then I'm sure we players wouldn't be running at the door every five minutes.
Vieira was complaing years ago and then Henry also complained because they had the foresight to see that it's about balance not just developing talent but adding proven additions to the squad for the whole team to go forward and progress!
Congratulations Nik K. Your take on our current situation is bang on target and well written.(unlike so many inarticulate blogs!) Congratulations. Sadly, like everything else in our money-obsessed world, the game of kings is now ALL about finance and we, the faithful fans, just have to bite on the bullet, don't we? However, despite AW's unquestionably great contribution to a great club, if we lose today I think it's time for him to move up to the board and for someone else to take over the reins as team manager.COYG, FOYS!!!
It is clear that despite the saving of money that Arsenal football team has regressed over the last couple of years, in Wenger I see a studious professor of football and shrewd operator in the transfer market.
but something needs to happen, I dont know if a so called marquee signing is the answer to the problem but there is surely a problem, I dont know what shrift the manager has with the board but I do feel they will back him in most decisions on players he scouts and then pursues.
but hearing all these people baying for his head is ridiculous, he is a damned fine manager and has already gone down in Gunners folklore for the wonderful Magnificents who went a season unbeaten, Wenger was the man that instigated that and its a feat that won't be matched for years and years,
football is a fickle world but we have some grand masters of the game in the Prem and Wenger is one of them along with SAF, only the fool hardy would try and ditch him, he is part of the furnisher when it comes to the Prem and I for one would be sad to see him go.
and I dont even support Arsenal
Neily boy is correct. Wenger is talking sense, live within your means. Clubs with the big spending paymasters are all well and good until they get bored, watch Abromovich & Chelsea, as soon as he realises even he cannot complete with the likes of the Abu Dhabi United Group he be off. Whenever a club is doing poorly everybody shouts “we need to spend”; anybody recall a player called Fernando Torres? Torquay United Supporter!
