The current situation in the Premier League and in some clubs around Europe must be hurting Arsene Wenger, because whereas Arsenal used to have to deal with just a few really big spending clubs swiping the best players, including our own top talent like van Persie, Fabregas and all, the Frenchman is now seeing huge transfer fees being splashed around by every man and his dog.
Not only does the massive revenue that clubs in the Premier League receive make it harder for the Gunners to sign their players, it means that all of the clubs are willing and able to spend big money on players and they are not even big name players half the time.
It is clear that this is forcing the fees for players in England and abroad through the roof and we know all too well that Wenger likes a bargain and hates to pay over the odds, but even the most stubborn person has to eventually accept what is going on and see that this is not just a passing phase.
So even though the Gunners will still try to nurture talented young players through our academy system and find hidden gems in the market, we will have to move with the times and it sounds like Wenger is admitting this in comments reported by the Evening Standard.
He said, “When you look at the cheques that everybody signs, it’s quite scary, but that is [what] the Premier League is about at the moment.”
The Frenchman was talking about whether a top four finish would be enough and he categorically declared it was not and that he was desperate to win the title, before moving on to talk about money. So does this tell you that Wenger has accepted the situation and seen that he can’t beat them so he must join them?
Bob.