Make or break for Arsenal
Thu Jul 23 12:14PM
This looks like a make-or-break season for Arsenal.
Four years without a trophy have created discontent in North London, and if they were to lose their top four position, it would be a disaster.
Although the club's ownership is in a state of flux, the present situation does not allow them to throw silly money at transfer targets.
They are finding it increasingly hard to attract new signings, particularly considering the massive wages on offer at clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Without the lure of Champions League football they would have no chance of attracting top players. If they drop out of the top four, they will face a real struggle getting back up there.
The fans have started to moan about Arsene Wenger, which was almost unthinkable a couple of years back, and patience is running low.
There was particular annoyance at losing in the semi-finals of all three cup competitions, and another season of underachievement will not go down well.
If the critics stopped to consider if any manager could do a better job than Wenger given the resources available, they might not be so vocal. But unless the Gunners get their hands on some silverware, those voices of dissent will only grow louder.
One thing is for sure, though; they are better off without Emmanuel Adebayor.
The Togolese striker got a big new contract after one good season, and from the moment he filled his wheelbarrow with money Arsenal never saw him again.
Wenger has gone along the same lines as Alex Ferguson; he only wants players who want to play for the club.
He has always been happy to use young, untested players, and I can see an increasing role for left-back Kieran Gibbs this season.
Gibbs is unlucky that he plays in the same position as Gael Clichy, who is one of Arsenal's best players, but he has shown the versatility to play on the left wing, and even in central midfield on occasion for England U21s.
He looks to be well ahead of Ashley Cole's level at the same age, and if he gets a run of games I wouldn't be surprised to see him sneak into Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup.
Eduardo's return from a broken leg was disrupted by a series of further minor injuries - he should be back to full sharpness this year.
Even the much-maligned Nicklas Bendtner has a chance to shine following the departure of his nemesis Adebayor.
Plus they have the enigmatic Russian Andrei Arshavin (pictured), who had moments of brilliance last season and should now get even better.
He has been grumbling about money - specifically the higher rate of tax in this country. But he must have known what the system was when he signed in the winter, and if not he has only himself and his agent to blame; the transfer saga certainly dragged on long enough!
Arsenal need Arshavin to knuckle down and concentrate on winning games, and if that happens there should be no problem. Most complaints only surface against a backdrop of poor results.
you.....you posted about someone other than man utd.....i'm in shock. well done! keep up the good work!
From axe.chris on Thu Jul 23 12:37PMwhat?
From hovabyte1 on Thu Jul 23 12:44PMA nice article.Everything you say is true!
From iavor93 on Thu Jul 23 12:48PMGo arsenal
From luis_ibanez77 on Thu Jul 23 12:49PMExcellent article once again Paul..... Keep up the good work.... I won't be surprised if the scousers still attack you... But bollo*ks to them and disregard those who can't appreciate the quality of an article..
From venkatzizu on Thu Jul 23 12:51PMThe new tax rate wasn't announced or even rumoured when AA signed Paul. How was he or his agent to know what the Budget had in store?
That apart Arsenal may well struggle this season, especially if injuries keep occuring. Their first 11 is very good but past that is a level of mediocrity that Arsene must realise is not good enough...From ndr7184 on Thu Jul 23 12:55PMPaul, well stated. The discontent with the fans seems to be uttered by the player’s complaints as well. Cesc just signed a new contract and now there is talk of his leaving, Almunia has voiced his discontent about lack of age on the squad and I would wager that if the team doesn’t get off the blocks well that more rumors will come up. Maybe its because I’m from the States but it seems that with all the money being thrown around in Europe there is little hope for Arsenal to sign anyone of note unless they follow suit.
From ckrlr17 on Thu Jul 23 12:57PMi think you are right unless if Bentner goes to Milan then they are in need of some more fire power
From john18iwish on Thu Jul 23 12:57PMGood article Paul, keep writing and ignore the insulting comments. Not quite Jim White but getting there :P
From douglas_statt on Thu Jul 23 12:57PMNice one Paul. One thing though: no word about Rosicky? Looks like he's gonna be back in contention, which is rather timely considering Nasri's injury. Anyway, enough talking and bring on the next season!
From illbeback27 on Thu Jul 23 12:58PMArsenal are rudderless. Wenger always gives you the impression that when things aren't going right he will just throw everything into the air and shout 'what can I do?'. SAF, on the other hand, has always known how to deal with crises. That is why he is a far superior manager to Wenger.
From spear1616from1566 on Thu Jul 23 01:00PMthis is the first time parkers not spoke about ronaldo, well done my son
From bobdumplins on Thu Jul 23 01:02PMArsenal need to buy a def/midfilder or forget about finishing sixth[DEMILSON & SONG I DON'T KNOW THEIR POSITIONS REALY AND THEY CAN'T WIN YOU A TROPHY].TALKING OF INJURIES IF ARSHAVIN IS A VICTIM CAN YOU SEE THEM WINNING ANY GAME?
From jxm46766 on Thu Jul 23 01:03PMits true they are fast becoming a well run selling club...............
From libfutures on Thu Jul 23 01:11PMComment 5 STFU WTF do u know? Paul good article just about spot on! I have been having those same fears ever since Wenger started phasing out All our English boys! The diffrence between Asrenal & the other big teams is that we do not have the blend of English & foreign players.look at the rest Chelsea,Liverpool & Man utd their Best players are ALL English now that can not be a fluke can it? Arsenal Board please buy English! We should have bought Barry,Lescott & Owen or ok maybe not Owen,what about Gabby Agbonlahor English please English
From masambasarr on Thu Jul 23 01:15PMmaybe instead of using sir alex as an example you could of used alan pardew more relevant at the moment than your opinion of your mate alex.
From lowboy_8inches on Thu Jul 23 01:15PMim a manu supporter and would really miss the gunners not being a contender.....i think there is a real class to arsenal and can imagine wenger pulling some magic out the bag just as everyone rights them off . i personally think arsenal will always be a top 4 footballing side and the only thing that will stop that happening will be some financial boob or off field error! NEVER under-estimate arsenal.
From scottdavisfrance on Thu Jul 23 01:16PMa few home truths there.
What arsenal really need is an a new henry, easier said than done i admit, but a player with the same charisma and the ability to turn inspire players and the fans to turn a nothing game into a spectacle and back to the way Arsenal used to play and inspire.
If there is an Henry Mark II out there, we're looking for you! THE HUNT IS ON.From stewartmclellan82 on Thu Jul 23 01:16PMComment 5 STFU WTF do u know? Paul good article just about spot on! I have been having those same fears ever since Wenger started phasing out All our English boys! The diffrence between Asrenal & the other big teams is that we do not have the blend of English & foreign players.look at the rest Chelsea,Liverpool & Man utd their Best players are ALL English now that can not be a fluke can it? Arsenal Board please buy English! We should have bought Barry,Lescott & Owen or ok maybe not Owen,what about Gabby Agbonlahor English please English
From masambasarr on Thu Jul 23 01:19PMIts not a make or break year you anti arsenal monger!
I would say that it is more of one for Man city! just to justify what they are doing in a recession.Its a level playing field and everyone is on a par til the season starts, there's no season defecits in points to make up yet and no one has pulled clear of the others, there are lots of teams with new players and even a new manager, so who's to say that Arsenal have it all to prove? its everyone's to lose at the moment. Just you wait til Manure drop down the pecking order. And Chelsea stutter to start under Ancelotti.
What kind of news is this whole article........?
regurgitating old ideas and talking up the demise of Arsenal.what about some optimism, like, how Arsenals NEW players starting from the beginning of the season could bring them be the team to beat! (Arshavin, Rosicky, Eduardo, Vermaelen, Senderos, Traore etc)
From jameshutchins666 on Thu Jul 23 01:22PMAlmost disapointed me Paul - no mention of Utd until I saw Sir Alex' name come up...that will do for me. Otherwise well written article
From ngongamccloud on Thu Jul 23 01:22PMMr parker, you made mention of clubs like chelsea, man.city and real madrid paying out large wages. Did you forget your darling Man U? be objective.
From sonydariya on Thu Jul 23 01:24PMWe simply can't compete financially. But we do have a technically gifted squad.
And i can't see anyone taking a top four spot away from us.As much as i would love Arsenal to win a trophy or two.
Sometimes you have to be realistic. We don't have any world beaters.
We have two half world beaters (Cesc and Arshavin) and Nicklas Bentnar.But i don't think a change in manager would help. Any other manager would be a huge step down for what we have now. The best of the very best.
In Arsene we trust.
From hiroshi_kanzaki on Thu Jul 23 01:26PMSpot on PP Arsenal are in trouble next season
From aggreychama on Thu Jul 23 01:31PMthe last time people write off arsenal, they almost go on and win the title. that was 2 years ago when flamini suddently rised to be one of the best defensive midfield and adebayor had a tremandous season. that year wenger only made a couple of signing, sagna and eduardo. this time around, its almost the same situations, only now its city instead of spurs. wenger also almost certain to only add 2 players to the squad, vermaelen already signed, another one maybe a defensive midfield or a striker. that time arsenal lost their best striker, henry to barcelona but adebayor took his place well. maybe this time bendtner or eduardo could do the same. maybe denilson or song or diaby would do another flamini.
From hamzi_84 on Thu Jul 23 01:36PMvery well said Mr Parker, Kindly please an email to Mr Wenger to sign Players at any cost, we need someone like Eto in our team he is 10 time a better player than Adeboyor. as we all know
From jamesrich.t21 on Thu Jul 23 01:51PMA very lovely article this is...
From bankoleakinwande on Thu Jul 23 01:52PMArsenal and Wenger forever
From kipketer1411 on Thu Jul 23 01:55PMok so what the new Parker???? where is ur opinion?? what did u add?? really boring
From malekchehab on Thu Jul 23 01:56PMMore details on [ 4 O P L U S K 1 S S . CCCOOOOMMMM ]
From ccmt16 on Thu Jul 23 02:02PM
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