So deadline day came to an end…and we lost sold Chamberlain. The transfer makes perfect sense.
Arsenal cashing in on AOC for 40 million pounds, instead of letting him go for free. What’s interesting is the fact that Chamberlain chose Liverpool despite almost ending up in Chelsea – the same player who refused a 180,000 pounds/week contract at Arsenal settled for less at Liverpool (I think it was 125,000).
It just goes to show that a players morale, which is crucial for mental balance in professional football is significantly influenced by the position in which they feel the best suited to play/contribute from. It’s not that Chamberlain did not want to play wing back but frankly speaking, it was not his preferred position.
At Chelsea, he would be in a team which is a better Arsenal with the same style of play. At Liverpool, he hopes to be the next Gerrard.
He was a good player and prospect. Majorly hard to assess fairly courtesy of Wenger’s incessant methods of playing him in the wrong position, but when he did put in performances the man was a delight to watch. He goes to a team where the manager shall put him to good use in a system that thrives on his strength i.e playing the ball through the middle and running at defenders with his pace and strength.
Thomas Lemar was scouted till 11 pm on deadline day. Arsenal again left it ‘neither later or early’ based on their deadline day past record, where they snap up deals hours before the window ends. Lemar, however, decided to stay put. Weighing his options he didn’t seem interested in moving to Arsenal – a team challenging for top 4, in the Europa League and prima facie lacking a level of competitiveness that top teams have.
I don’t understand why the decision to leave things so late is so readily accepted by the management at Arsenal. Lemar would have brought about (at best) marginal optimism at the Emirates. This is because Sanchez would then leave. We lose a world class player and gain a very hot prospect – I think my use of the word ‘marginal’ is correct in this analysis. I feel transfers of this nature should be actively pursued early and decisions need to be made. If we are interested in Leymar why should we bid 90+ at 9 pm on deadline day and show we are not interested 2 months (no bids, no talk)
Fans are upset with Wenger and his band of merry men and they have all right to be. Arsenal left it late and this time the plan didn’t work out. But surprise-surprise there is no plan B. Before the window started the objective was standard and simple –
- Keep the world class talent at Arsenal.
- Ship out dead-wood and over-valued players
- Recruit talent for positions where we seem to be short.
Have we done these?
- Yes. But the way isn’t exactly how we imagined it would be. Sanchez should have been offered the wages he has been demanding because he deserves it. He has been an exceptional leader and his value is significant to us on every level. Now Sanchez is here and is expected to play. All we can do is hope he is mentally present for Arsenal, at least until January 1st.
- Yes. Lucas Perez, Gibbs and Gabriel were all sold. But idiots like Walcott, Bellerin still sit pretty on the wage bill. Xhaka has been abysmal this season but he needs another 6 months of performing like this to be labeled ‘ a waste of space’ (he’s getting there though)
- Lacazette was signed. Kolasinac was signed. An attacker and a versatile defender. Fair enough. But the lack of a disciplined tactical approach will make these signings pointless, which I fear will be the case with Wenger.
Both players did not start vs Liverpool in order to be rested for the international break this week. Tactics at its best.
I honestly have accepted that Arsenal will finish 7th this season. Top 4 is now, unfortunately, the real objective and we are in September.
Under Wenger, the situation seems to be neglected all the time. Actual issues like defensive formations and tactics are thrown out the window as we chose to defend like school boys and get humiliated thereafter. The more this is ignored by the manager, Arsenal fans should get used to the 3-0, 4-1 score lines because we will be having that more often than naught this season.
THE ARMOURY SQUARE 