Arsène Wenger is always aware that his transfer policy can blow up
in his face at any time.
The Arsenal manager has plenty of money at his disposal but has
shunned the opportunity to splash big cash over the past few
seasons. Major acquisitions have been made but the Frenchman
persists in his policy of bringing in quality youngsters and
raising them through the ranks the Arsenal way.
Recently an illuminating tale found its way into the English media.
Over dinner Club director Danny Fiszman reportedly asked Wenger
what he would do if he was handed a £100 million kitty. Id hand
it back, he supposedly replied.
It was brought up at Fridays press conference. Wengers
explanation suggested he knows his team will thrive or die through
his decisions. But he is quite happy to take on the
responsibility.
I said that because I think I would ruin the work I have done in
the last five years, he said. You develop players and, just in
the last minute, you put £30 million into a player who is not
necessary better than the ones you have, just to keep everybody
saying oh, have you seen Arsenal, theyve bought a super
player.
There might come a time when I need to put my hands on it and I
say listen we need to put the money in for one special player who
could give us a plus. But I dont see this player at the moment
anywhere.
Take Ronaldinho, maybe one year ago he was the best player in the
world. Is he today? No. What people have problems to accept in
football, like tennis, you can be No 1 in March and No 10 in
November.
You have to trust your judgement knowing you will make mistakes. I
always say you have to be relaxed about that and smiling knowing
that you have a bomb in the right hand and a hand grenade in your
left and that it can explode in your face because you were
wrong.