Arsenal Balls: Liverpool Legend Says Spurs Show Wenger The Right Way Forward
ON August 31, Graeme Souness told Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that football is “not rocket science”. The Gunners need not shoot for the moon. The former Liverpool tough nut wrote in the Sunday Times:
Once again, Arsenal have neglected to bolster the spine of their faltering team as rivals Spurs stock up on talent
And:
Spurs raise stakes and shame Wenger
And on he went:
WE HAVE had two ends of the spectrum on summer transfers over the past few months from Tottenham and Arsenal: how to do it and how not to. The difference could prove the key to deciding which of them finishes fourth this season to secure the coveted pathway to Champions League football.
It turns out that Souness was referring to Spurs when he said that was how to do it.
I am concerned to hear Arsène Wenger saying after Arsenal’s first game against Fenerbahce in the Champions League playoffs: “The transfer window starts now.” I am sorry. Whenever a manager picks up a phone this late in the transfer window to buy a player, the response he will get from his opposite number is: “How can I possibly sell that player to you at this time, where do I go to replace him?”
Dunno. But Real Madrid then sold the excellent Mesut Ozil to Arsenal for £42m.
…Spurs have raised the stakes with their signings and I think the challenge to finish fourth will be greater than it was last season. Arsenal have been inert in response. Only the free transfers of Yaya Sanogo and Mathieu Flamini were complete as I was writing this column, when some major surgery was required to turn them into serious title contenders this season.
Any tips?
Arsenal can strengthen at goalkeeper and at centre-back… They also need a different type of midfield player, maybe a couple of them…
On September 22, Souness opined: “Whether Fergie had stayed or gone, the challenge this year from Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham is greater than it has been in recent years.”
Such is the expertise…
Posted: 26th, November 2013 | In: Arsenal, Sports Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
