Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 « Untold Arsenal: Arsenal News. Supporting the Lord Wenger; coach of the decade
By Domhuaille
Since the January window closed, the gloomers-doomers-moaners-groaners, anti-Wenger, whiners, pessimists, nihilists and Arsenal critics have infected the blog-sphere and too many Arsenal fan website with their incessant litany of dark vitriol against AW and bleak forecasts for AFC’s future. It is time that we separated the Facts from the Fiction and weeded out the misinformation, careless speculation and wild fantasies from the Truth.
Let’s begin with Arsene Wenger’s player management policies. No-one can claim, including myself, that they are privileged to know any of his inner motivations and preferences BUT we can rely on what he repeatedly states about dealing with players AND what players say themselves. Here is what we know;
1. He finds British players in particular to be overhyped,overpriced and overpaid.
2. He prefers to give his youth and reserve players (loanees & Arsenal) opportunities to prove they merit a first team place first, before resorting to an external transfer.
3. He treats players with dignity, respect, loyalty and enormous patience and expects that to be reciprocated.
4. He prefers younger, untested but potentially star players to older, expensive and often egotistical ¨superstars¨ when he goes on the market.
5. He trusts his scouting network and loves to sign Barcelona’s under 16 diamonds when he can.
6. He has strict and cohesive criteria that any outside transfer MUST meet before he proceeds to the recruitment stage. This is the area most whiners and gloomers don’t understand. Wenger takes his time since he wants to preserve the Arsenal homeostasis (balance).
7. Despite the gloomers saying he ¨misses¨ players or is ¨stubborn¨ about spending, the facts show that he has spent quite well and wisely over the last 5 years and that he is well aware of who is available and willing to come to the Emirates but if they don’t meet his criteria they are ignored.
8. His patience and acumen with players is legendary and while he has often been disappointed, he has also been successful with many. Fabianski, Eboue, Koscielny, Szcesny, Wilshere, Ramsey, Eduardo, Walcott, Gibbs, and Djourou, to name a few.
9. Finally he knows how to balance the 3rd highest wage bill in the EPL with the lowest transfer budget of any top 4 manager and the highest injury rate of any team over the last 3 years. Some of his gambles hurt him (Vermaelen returning in January) but overall he has been a magician.
The above represents some of the foundation stones in his approach. If we look at current first team, reserve and youth players in line to join the Arsenal this next season, things are actually quite promising:
Keepers: Szcesny (1), Fabianski (2) Mannone (3)….a solid lineup
Backs: Sagna (1) Jenkinson (2) Eboue (3)Vermaelen (1) Djourou(2) Koscielny (1) Bartley (2) Clichy(1) Gibbs (2)…..needs the new signing as Squillaci isn’t up to it.
Def.Midfielders: Song (1) Diaby (2) Lansbury (3)
Attacking Midfielders: Fabregas (1) Nasri (2) Wilshere (1) Ramsey (2) Arshavin (3)
Strikers: RVP (1) Chamakh (2) Walcott (1) Ryo Miyachi (2) JET (3)
Possible Squad players: Frimpong, Miguel, Eastmond, Coquelin, Watt, Botelho, Afobe, Wellington.
Possible new acquisitions: Oxlade-Chamberlain, Samba, Cahill, Gervinho.
Next season will definitely keep us on our feet….but the gloomers will be seated and crying.
Note: As you know we accept articles from people who want to write for Untold. For the moment Tony Attwood is enjoying a holiday and will not be able to come online. So if you have written an article and there is no hurry to see it published you can send it to the usual mail address. If you want to see it published in the next days you can send it to my mail address walterbroeckx(at)hotmail.com and then we can see that it gets published as soon as possible.
Walter