Is Almiron the best Arsenal could find? Or the cheapest? Dan Smith
Atlanta United have all but confirmed Miguel Almiron will be joining us in the New Year. Our recruitment team were praised for getting business done early in the summer and appear organised for the next window. So, having scouted the globe this is the best possible talent we could find?
Maybe Stan Kroenke is such a fan of the domestic game where he lives he’s recommending talent to us? More likely the criteria for January is to ensure you find someone for value. The fee is believed to be 15 million, ironically the price tag on Aaron’s Ramsey head.
The MLS, which feels it’s quality is often overlooked, see this deal has a a turning point for perception of ‘soccer’.
For once it’s one of the biggest names from England contacting them rather the other way around. The last decade has seen the likes of Gerrard, Lampard, Cole and now Rooney follow in David Beckham’s footsteps by competing in a league below the Championship in terms of quality. While all used their name power to help the game grow in the US, it’s still not the most watched sport in America, nor will it ever be. So, for them to be a breeding ground for one of the most famous names in Europe is progress.
Of course, anyone who becomes a gunner has my full backing, but do I believe this is the very best we can do? Some gooners seem to think for 15 million, you can’t go wrong. It’s so little in today’s market that the juice is worth the squeeze. But why are we accepting, when we make the most match day revenue, 15 million deals for someone with no record at this level. I respect some readers have seen him play and are excited by his work rate but just ask yourself in all honesty, is the Paraguayan someone you could see Man City or Chelsea buying? The answer is no, proving yet again that when it counts we have zero ambition in ever being Champions under this owner.
If Arsene Wenger was around he’d be hammered for shopping across the Atlantic. Under Emery it’s like we cheer change for the sake of it. Anyone else notice how we continue to save money? Ramsey’s departure will reduce the wage budget while his sale will fund the arrival of someone who has 13 goals in a competition on the level of a League 1 or 2, so why would he do better in an environment where every aspect will be harder? Please remember we pay the highest ticket prices in the world. Think how much it now is to buy yourself a shirt? Consider how much the TV deal is now worth? Never forget the man with full control over us is a billionaire.
So, I ask again, is this really the best Arsenal can do? If yes, consider this …. Starting from next summer, we are guaranteed 60 million a year for having the honour of Adidas on our kit. Let’s see if that new piece of revenue is used for recruitment?
Dan Smith