da esport bet： If Arsenal’s recent exploits in the transfer market could be defined in one simple phrase, it would read ‘from invincible to incredibly vulnerable’. Whereas the likes of Manchester United are ruthless in their pursuit of targets and similarly defiant in thwarting any unwanted bids, it would appear that every Arsenal player has his price. Without wanting to seem callous, it strikes me that rival managers often bully Arsene Wenger into granting them the freedom to lure away his best players.
da lvbet： Arsenal are no longer the most desirable club to play for in the Premier League, which is why their trend of allowing contracts to run down into their final year continues to baffle. The once popular figures of Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie have effectively exploited their contract situation in order force a move away, with Theo Walcott looking like he could soon follow suit. The club’s ability to attract the crème de la crème is made increasingly difficult by the financial restrictions of their self-sufficient business model. The priority should therefore focus on maintaining of the services of their existing personnel, but it seems the foundations for a title winning side are continually ripped away.
Of course when players do commit to long-term contracts, it doesn’t guarantee loyalty but it does put the club firmly in a position of power during negotiations. Wenger deserves a lorry load of praise for extracting £20m+ from both Manchester outfits, but it’s of little consolation when you’re enhancing the title hopes of your rivals as your own chances suffer in the process. It’s such a shame that Wenger is continually placed in impossible situations when his superiors fail to tie down the club’s best assets.
Arsenal’s strict financial policy warrants as much criticism as it does praise. The club can be commended for continuing to ensure its future wellbeing, but the harsh reality of the modern game is that the best players in the world come with the biggest price tags. When the club pulled out of a deal to sign Nuri Sahin due to a dispute over the percentage of wage contribution, it highlighted how their cost conscious strategy doesn’t allow for flexibility in any circumstances.
It’s painfully obvious that Wenger doesn’t possess the same working relationship with chief executive Ivan Gazidis as he once did with David Dein. The two seem to have been forcefully put together, working towards a distant and unrealistic goal while under constant scrutiny. Gazidis reminds me of a seedy politician when he conducts an interview, constantly evading direct questions to deliver generic and often broad statements. In a recent exposé with the Mirror he was asked whether the club can keep “top players happy and on top contracts,” but diverted away from the topic by insisting the club was on a “really positive path” and that the “financial capability is growing.” This is a man blessed with a business but not a football brain.
Gazidis however, is not in charge of negotiating deals, that’s the role of Dick Law who I have been careful typing into Google ever since learning of his existence. He must accept a portion of blame for the recent misfortunes, especially considering his main contribution last summer consisted of an alarming amount of time spent in Costa Rica completing the signing of Joel Campbell and insulting Bolton with a derisory bid for Gary Cahill. Somewhat bizarrely, the ‘charming Texan’ has his office in the training ground complex, in the same area where the press conferences are held. It’s hardly the best environment to conduct private, delicate negotiations, especially as agents and journalists are likely to rub shoulders in the corridors.
According to reports both Emmanual Frimpong and Andrei Arshavin will see their contracts expire next year alongside Theo Walcott. The Russian winger will be no great loss – other than financially – having tumbled from the limelight after an impressive start to his Gunner’s career. Frimpong on the other hand, struck an instant rapport with the fans after a series of tenacious displays. His departure would be mourned but there are doubts regarding his professionalism and how he will overcome his current injury.
If Arsenal want to avoid repeating the same mistakes then they should already be looking forward towards 2014 with three key players up for renewal. Revered full-back Bacary Sagna, who recently criticised the club for their summer transfer activity may already be a lost cause with Wenger insisting, “If he is not happy, he has to go elsewhere”. However, the club need to move quickly to retain the services of Kieron Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny, who many believe are the future of the club.
It’s also worth mentioning the role agents play in enabling a players contract to run down to the point of expiry. Their job is to get the best deal for the player (and therefore themselves), and the most effective way to do this is by shifting the balance of power. As soon as the possibility of a player leaving for free becomes a reality, then the agent can slowly crank up his demands as the club becomes more and more desperate. I can’t imagine there are too many agents eager to sit down when there is a significant amount of time left to run on a contract, unless of course a significant pay rise is involved.
Ironically the only contract that looks like being signed in the near future involves Arsene Wenger, who Gazidis hailed as the “best man to lead us forward”. I can’t help but think the phrase “with one hand tied behind his back” should be added to the end of that sentence.
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