IAN WRIGHT - Columnist
It sounds brutal, it sounds blunt, but it sums up the mood of
the supporters as this summer lurches from frustration to
despair.
Gael Clichy's move to Manchester City wouldn't bother me much in
normal circumstances.
I'm not that fussed by it on an individual basis as Kieran Gibbs
is coming through nicely. But now it looks like Samir Nasri is set
to join him.
Since when did Arsenal become Manchester City's feeder club? And
with Cesc Fabregas looking a goner to Barcelona too, it's very,
very sad to see. How on earth will Arsene Wenger attract any top
players to Arsenal?
It's come to something when a player like Clichy feels Arsenal
is not good enough for him anymore. He can see that Man City is
going to be challenging for top trophies next season.
For a start, he won't have to go through Champions League
qualification, unlike Arsenal. It is a club going places and this
summer City look like they will kick on again. Manchester United
have made it clear they mean business too, being bullish in the
transfer market and buying Ashley Young, Phil Jones and the keeper
David De Gea.
Liverpool have got Jordan Henderson and are making serious moves
for Stewart Downing.
Chelsea have got a new manager in place and will soon be very
active.
Arsenal are being left behind. And the trouble is, when all the
top-class players have gone, it becomes extremely difficult to lure
other top players to your club.
Wenger has put his faith in picking up little gems from abroad,
little-known players who he can nurture and develop. All very well.
But he has filled the dressing room with players who 'owe' him.
It's a nice cosy arrangement.
There are no players who are big enough and experienced enough
to turn around and say 'hang on boss, let's try this, or let's do
that'.
Serious teams need established world-class players, who can
bring it to bear in February and March when the youngsters need a
gee-up, when the going gets tough and the demands of a long season
kick in.
He's been asking too much of the young players he's brought
through.
Nicklas Bendtner, Fabregas, Robin van Persie, Clichy, are all
good players but Arsenal should be courting the star players before
they move to other big clubs. But they're nowhere to be seen.
What's Wenger doing? I see the Gervinho deal looks close to
being finalised. He might be good, fingers crossed. Well I'm sorry
but fingers crossed doesn't work anymore. It hasn't worked for six
years since the Gunners last won a trophy.
Downing, Jones, Henderson. Even Young. They might not be the
sort of players Wenger likes but at least those other clubs are
having a go. And by doing so, they send out a statement of intent
they want to be even better next season.
I'd love to see Wenger being given the same sort of transfer pot
that the likes of Jose Mourinho had at Chelsea, or Andre
Villas-Boas will get. The same backing Alex Ferguson enjoys at
Manchester United.
I'd be so curious to see where he goes and what he does with
it.
But I have my suspicions that he would still dither about, take
too long to make up his mind and then plump for someone in France
or Spain hardly any of us have ever heard of.
Fabregas has clearly recognised the fact that Arsenal will not
be competing with their rivals in the transfer market.
He has been loyal to them and played his best but now he can see
what's going on and looks set to go.
That's been going on for some time but the whole transfer thing
is like a house of cards. Once one big name wants out, the rest see
it and it all comes tumbling down.
I get accused of having a go at Arsenal. But I'm only putting in
bold black and white the problems that the real fans are deeply
concerned about.
And I'm not referring to those who came with the flash new
Emirates Stadium, some of whom don't like singing on Saturday
afternoons.
I've been engaged in fierce debates with some of whom have
fallen for this guff that at least Arsenal's not in debt. They
point out that the Glazers have borrowed fortunes in Manchester
United's name.
True. But Man Utd have also been in three Champions League
finals in the last few years and have won Premier League trophies
and FA Cups. Man Utd may have debts but I tell you this, if the
club suddenly went on the market, it would be sold within a week.
Would that happen with Arsenal? I'm not so sure.
Real fans don't give a hoot about debts. They pay a lot of money
to come through the gates and they don't want to see their heroes
passing them on the way out.
Wenger is still the right man for the job but he needs proper
backing and I do feel that sometimes he needs a good shaking.
Right now, I can't see Arsenal challenging for the Premier
League title next season, which is seriously depressing in
July!
What I'd like to see are some bullish signings.
Go out and chase the likes of Michael Essien. Get him back on
top form and he's a fabulous player, plus you'd be getting a player
from Chelsea, one of Arsenal's supposed rivals from the Premier
League and just across the River Thames.
Then go for keeper Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany and get your own
back on Manchester City.
Make the rest of English football sit up and take notice for
once - not just Arsenal fans who can see the lights going out on
their club.