Changes to Occur at Arsenal

Changes to Occur at Arsenal

By Kieran Hadfield

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has proven that he is one of the best managers when it comes to dealing with transfers. He was known to have the talent of snatching up players as they reach their peak, a prime example of this it Thierry Henry.

The Frenchman had exquisite technique, lightening pace and surprising strength. Henry thrived in his role as an Arsenal player as he scored 228 goals in 337 starts for the club, his goals and fantastic moments in the Arsenal jersey printed in the minds of thousands.

However, as of recent years Wenger has been off the mark when it comes to his transfers. He is too caught up on signing players for the long term instead of thinking about the present. It also seems as though when a player does reach a recognized quality such as Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy, Wenger let's them go before their peak.

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has now stated that changes will be occurring in terms of Arsenal player's wages. Useless fringe players such as Marouane Chamakh are earning £10,000 less than Arsenal hit man Robin Van Persie! Gazidis acknowledges this must change if the Gunners are to compete with the cashed up Manchester City and Chelsea.

"We have looked at this carefully and we have to make adjustments for top talent. They are earning a lot of money and I don't think that will slow down. We have to adjust our model."

Despite many calls for players to be brought in Gunners fans can expect a quiet transfer window. The club CEO Gazidis stated-

"The key for us is not the volume of signings we might make but that the signings we make add something to the squad. That is something Arsene thinks extremely carefully about and for all the pressure he is placed under, he tends to make good decisions."

Wenger has already purchased German striker Podolski which is a great signing, don't get me wrong. However, Chelsea signing Eden Hazard and Manchester United's Kagawa are much bigger signings. Uzbeki billionaire Alisher Usmanov is said to want to increase his stake in the club. He has promised to finance a spending spree but majority shareholder Stan Kroenke has stated that he does not want 'outside intervention'. Gazidis has told Usmanov that he will not be joining the board despite owning almost 30% of the club

“I don't think for Mr Usmanov and anyone else out there that we should pump money into the football club... We don't think that is healthy or for the good of the game

“When I arrived three-and-half years ago there had been a lot of changes on the board and some degree of conflict. Since then we have worked hard to ensure the board is unified and has a common purpose.

“In terms of any further additions to the board it is important we don't disturb that unity and don't create conflict. 

“Ultimately that is a board decision but that will be the critical issue – are we all aligned and facing in the same direction."

Marouane Chamakh at training.
www.theweek.co.uk

It looks as though a clear out of the overpaid, useless players is likely to occur this transfer window. Park, Chamakh, Diaby, Asharvin, Vela, Fabianski, Squillaci and Bendtner are among these players that are a surplus to requirement. Manuel Almunia has already been released, West Ham are reportedly interested in obtaining the 'worst goalkeeper in Arsenal's history', they must be desperate.

The club is looking to slash the wage expenditure by £23m. This is a big step forward for Arsenal, a portion of the cash from the second-rate players is expected to be used to entice Van Persie and Theo Walcott into a new contract. Both players stalling contract talks, Van Persie wanting assurance of ambition for silverware from the club and Walcott wanting a higher wage.

I believe that there are the pros and cons about what Gazidis has stated. The pros being the culling of useless players and the cons being the hint that Podolski will be the bulk of Arsenal's off-season expenditure.

As a Gunners supporter I am disappointed by the refusal to allow billionaire Usmanov to join the board for more financial stability and investments into better players. However I do agree with Gazidis when he stated “We don't think that is healthy or for the good of the game." I don't like the idea of a team 'buying a trophy'.

Time will tell if Wenger can complete the ultimate task of fighting off cashed up clubs to win the English Premier League.