The Soccer Thread

[relaxedanderson]

I do think that situation that Arsenal are in is entirely his fault. He's the manager and he's the one buying players. Every indication from the past few seasons is that he's had money to spend and yet he rarely does. He refused to plan for the eventuality of Fabregas and Nasri leaving. So now the side is in a situation where it lost two of its top players, lacks quality depth, lacks an experienced core, and is over-reliant on inexperienced youth.

I don't know who else you can blame.

Yeah, injuries suck. But they are part of the game. Lacking depth creates this kind of crisis, where as a squad some actual quality depth isn't left relying on inexperienced (if talented) 19 year olds in one of the more important spots on the side.

Of course, you could argue that the actions of teams like Man City and, to a lesser extent, Chelsea are to blame for the situation Arsene finds himself in at the moment.

Cavalier spending by the super-rich clubs has pushed the price of quality players up to ridiculous and frankly unsustainable levels. Many observers think that it won't be long before the whole bubble bursts and many big clubs will crash and burn as a result. Think Leeds only much worse and on a much larger scale.

If this happens then teams that are well run financially, who spend within their means and who have solid investment in youth will become the new 'Big' clubs while the teams that currently spend cash like it's Monopoly money will be fighting it out in the Third Division and hiding behind the sofa when the debt collectors come knocking on the door.

Arsene can probably see this coming and has to make a choice between overpaying for good players now with an intent to challenge for trophies this season but risk crippling the club in the future or settle for mid-table anonymity for a few seasons but leave the club in a position to reap the rewards when football implodes financially.

Depending on which option he takes and depending on what happens to football in the next five years Wenger will either be seen as a genius or a disaster.

[Rudi]

http://espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/_/id/6906583/arsenal-offers-fans-free-ticket-blowout-loss

LOL

[Bigpapa42]

Of course, you could argue that the actions of teams like Man City and, to a lesser extent, Chelsea are to blame for the situation Arsene finds himself in at the moment.

The changing realities of the transfer market and club finances is certainly a factor. If the UEFA Financial Fair Play rules have any bite (I doubt it), clubs that overspend their incomes significant could be in trouble.

Arsenal have been fairly aggressively paying down debt. Good thing for sure. They are doing well to ensure the long-term financial stability of the club... but at the same time, Arsenal have the highest-priced tickets in the Premiership. There has to be a balance between financial prudence and maintaining competitiveness. Whatever the reason - whether its the board not actually wanting to give Arsene money or Wenger not wanting to spend - the appearance is that the club is leaning toward the financial prudence, at the cost of competitiveness. And its been that way for several years.

Part of the problem I see is that the difference between buying youth to look long term and buying more experienced players isn't necessarily that huge. It is if you are Manchester City, overpaying to get players that clubs don't want to sell. But you can get solid starting caliber players. You pay higher wages, true, but that's the cost of experience.

Arsenal paid 10m for Oxlade-Chamberlain, which could go as high as 13m. That's for a 17 year old winger who has a ton of potential, but is probably 3-5 years away from performing at a high level (if he ever does). Manchester United paid 18m for Ashley Young. A proven English international who could step into almost any starting lineup in the Prem. The difference there is 4m and the difference in wages. 4m for quality on the pitch now rather than in 3-5 years time. Not that Arsenal were likely to hijack United's bid, but if Wenger had been realistic about losing Nasri, he could have been working on something like that a long time ago.

Arsenal need more depth and strength in midfield. Song and Wilshire are great, Frimpong and Ramsey are promising, but the likes of Diaby, Rosicky, and Arshavin are either injury-prone or painfully inconsistent. It took Liverpool 7m to land Charlie Adam from Blackpool - less than half of what the Gunners could end up paying for Oxlade-Chamberlain. A player like Scott Parker could add much-needed depth.

Its almost stupid that Arsenal are in last-second negotations to try to land the depth players they knew they needed when last season ended. I just fail to understand how the club put themselves in that position.

[Prodigal Son]

I know that's what I'm talking about. I'm trying to find some info about how it all works but with no luck.

People buy a membership to join the group. The privilige of joining this group is that you are allowed to vote on the President, and are allowed to vote him out if you want. The membership is the first step to becoming a Season Ticket Holder, as you can't be a Season Ticket Holder without paying the membership fee.

That's basically how it works.

[Rudi]

Low key upset there's no EPL this weekend..what am I going to watch on saturday morning now

[Bigpapa42]

Low key upset there's no EPL this weekend..what am I going to watch on saturday morning now

...Internationals...?

[killgod]

...Internationals...?

In fucking deed!

ROAD TO BRAZIL STARTS FRIDAYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!






For most nations it's just a friendly date though

[Rudi]

...Internationals...?

Meh internationals are ok. I just love watching the premier league thats all lol

[Bigpapa42]

Meh internationals are ok. I just love watching the premier league thats all lol

Learn to love the game, not the league. One of the greatest aspects of the sport is its diversity and spread. You can see quality, entertaining play almost anywhere you look.

National teams can have some amazing amazing talent and play.

[Bigpapa42]

Newcastle just made a great signing. Davide Santon for 5 million. Kind of shocked Inter let him go. I know he's failed to really impress but he's still got plenty of upside.

Its one of those deals that really really makes you wonder. He's a 20-year old Italian international with a decent amount of experience at a big club... for 5m? That seems so cheap. Its not at all like the Balotelli deal, where his wretched behavior made them willing to get rid of the kid but it still took a ton of dirty Citeh cash to get them to give him up. Santon... not so much. Inter are supposedly cash-poor... but after selling Eto'o for a metric ton of rubles, are they still desperate? I am really curious to see how Santon does and just exactly why Inter were willing to let him walk for so little.

[Chrispy]

Reports of Clint Dempsey going to Arsenal among other clubs. If he does leave Fulham I hope he stays in the Premier League. If he does end up moving to Arsenal looks like i will become a fan of them.

[Fappin Raptor]

Dempsey at Arsenal would be good. He wouldn't have any competition to get starting spot. Even though Arsenal are having a rough start to the year, having an American on a team like Arsenal is always a good thing.

[Bigpapa42]

Reports of Clint Dempsey going to Arsenal among other clubs. If he does leave Fulham I hope he stays in the Premier League. If he does end up moving to Arsenal looks like i will become a fan of them.

Absolutely everyone is being linked with Arsenal at the moment. I wouldn't be surprised if they are throwing bids around like a rapper throwing dollar bills around at a strip club.

Wenger has the ugly stink of desperation right now.

[NAHSTE]

Dempsey to Arsenal would be huge for him and US soccer.

[BigHouseUSA]

Santon should do really well. It's quite an odd signing, but I thought the same when we got Ben Arfa and Cabaye for so cheap. Santon's slightly different thought since he's younger, and has been really highly thought of. Now, if we can just get a striker.