Tweet
lthough Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla were all recruited well before the start of the season for a combined £35 million, there is significant disquiet that these additions were then followed up by the major sales of Van Persie and Alex Song for £39 million.
The departure of other peripheral squad players, including Nicklas Bendtner on loan to Juventus and Park Chu Young on loan to Celta Vigo on Friday, left Arsenal approximately £10 million in credit this summer.
Wenger acknowledged that he still had resources at his disposal but, despite a late inquiry for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, it appeared that he was not convinced on Friday by the available quality and value. It has prompted fears that Arsenal have not adequately replaced Van Persie and Song.
According to analysis from the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, the club were on course to end the summer with around £50 million of transfer funds still available.
“Our own analysis shows the club have not used all of the resources available to them to strengthen the squad,” said an AST spokesman. “Many of our members are extremely frustrated as they believe no stone should be left unturned in trying to make Arsenal a better team.”
A recent AST survey did show, however, that Wenger retained the backing of 77 per cent of members as the right man to continue taking the club forward. “As ever in football the final judgment will be results on the pitch,” added the AST spokesman.
Wenger on Friday pointed to how he defied even lower expectations last season by guiding Arsenal to third – their 16th straight top-four finish under his management – when many fans feared a mid-table finish.
“We are paid to make the right decision, or what we think is right,” said Wenger. “Spending in itself is not a quality. Buying better than you have is a quality. Last year on the same day, we were predicted to finish 10th-15th and we finished third.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-pictures.html
The departure of other peripheral squad players, including Nicklas Bendtner on loan to Juventus and Park Chu Young on loan to Celta Vigo on Friday, left Arsenal approximately £10 million in credit this summer.
Wenger acknowledged that he still had resources at his disposal but, despite a late inquiry for Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien, it appeared that he was not convinced on Friday by the available quality and value. It has prompted fears that Arsenal have not adequately replaced Van Persie and Song.
According to analysis from the Arsenal Supporters’ Trust, the club were on course to end the summer with around £50 million of transfer funds still available.
“Our own analysis shows the club have not used all of the resources available to them to strengthen the squad,” said an AST spokesman. “Many of our members are extremely frustrated as they believe no stone should be left unturned in trying to make Arsenal a better team.”
A recent AST survey did show, however, that Wenger retained the backing of 77 per cent of members as the right man to continue taking the club forward. “As ever in football the final judgment will be results on the pitch,” added the AST spokesman.
Wenger on Friday pointed to how he defied even lower expectations last season by guiding Arsenal to third – their 16th straight top-four finish under his management – when many fans feared a mid-table finish.
“We are paid to make the right decision, or what we think is right,” said Wenger. “Spending in itself is not a quality. Buying better than you have is a quality. Last year on the same day, we were predicted to finish 10th-15th and we finished third.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/foo...-pictures.html
Comment