Do you not think that this was a masterstroke from Wenger? He will solve their problems.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
- Thread starter MikeUpNorth
- Start date
Do you not think that this was a masterstroke from Wenger? He will solve their problems.
Well, to be completely honest we have signed a defender that we didn't need that much this Summer, and a winger that we could have done without (although I feel his acquisition was necessary with Giggs moving central permanently) while the thing we need the most has been a midfielder for years. Sometimes when an opportunity comes along and a special talent appears you buy him. It's what Ferguson did with Jones, it's what Wenger did with this chap.
Both clubs might end up not strengthening the areas where their main problems lie. In fact Chelsea haven't done it either this Summer and all Citt have done is sign a top quality striker who will either replace another quality striker in Tevez or warm the bench more often than not.
Both clubs might end up not strengthening the areas where their main problems lie. In fact Chelsea haven't done it either this Summer and all Citt have done is sign a top quality striker who will either replace another quality striker in Tevez or warm the bench more often than not.
If, and only if, this signing prevented us from acquiring an experienced player(s) that we seem to need then I'll be pissed off. Of course this won't be the case, so why should any Gooner be annoyed at this transfer?
No doubt it has nothing to do with other transfers falling through or being completed. So what's not to like about signing a youngster that's shown a lot of promise at such an early age in a physically-tough league? Especially if other teams were reportedly keen too?
Some of you guys need to wrap your head around that. Mind you, if we don't bring in the 'exceptional quality' player(s?) that Wenger has all-but promised us then people will be fuming - though it really shouldn't have anything to do with this Oxlade-Chamberlain. As Sarni said, you guys did practically the same thing with Hughes earlier this window.
No doubt it has nothing to do with other transfers falling through or being completed. So what's not to like about signing a youngster that's shown a lot of promise at such an early age in a physically-tough league? Especially if other teams were reportedly keen too?
Some of you guys need to wrap your head around that. Mind you, if we don't bring in the 'exceptional quality' player(s?) that Wenger has all-but promised us then people will be fuming - though it really shouldn't have anything to do with this Oxlade-Chamberlain. As Sarni said, you guys did practically the same thing with Hughes earlier this window.
I'd say its different though, fair enough United bought Jones who we didn't particularly need, but he had proven himself at Premier League level already and his fee will be very similar to Chamberlain's if those clauses in the deal are achieved.
Also SAF showed he wasn't afraid to spend big money where needed by splashing out 18 million on De Gea. The reason I'm so surprised by this transfer is the fact that Wenger is happy to spend as much as 15 million on this lad when he seems reluctant to do so on players in positons that Arsenal really need strengthening.
The fact that Jones has a full PL season under his belt doesn't make him any more needed. We had enough players to play in that position but two of them (Brown and Ferdinand) were approaching the end of career so we took the chance to sign the most promising young defender out there. We could have waited another season or two but he would have been snapped by someone else in all likelihood, and this was probably the case with Chamberlain as well.
I realise that but it does justify his price tag more in my opinion. 12 million guaranteed with another 3 million possibly to come is a lot to pay for a relatively untested 17 year old. I'm not doubting Arsenals scouts and I'm sure he is a good player but other people went in for Jones and he chose United where as it doesn't seem any of the interested clubs were willing to match Arsenals offer.
Anyway my main point was the fact that SAF already spent big money in a position that desperately needed strengthening where as Wenger for the last few windows has looked to pick up bargains at center-back and in goal and it has cost them.
The Mata transfer would really depend on either Cesc or Nasri moving out of the club. One of them moving out (or even both), and I could see Arsene pulling out all the stops to get Mata in along with one of Cahill/Jags
If this transfer prevents Wenger from purchasing a defender (they don't need a goalkeeper) then it will be a mistake. I don't think it will and I reckon Chamberlain has been lined up as a replacement for Nasri who will leave for City sooner rather than later.
That's true but the season starts in 4 days time and Wenger still hasn't even started to address the recurring problem of your defence. If I was an Arsenal supporter and heard Wenger made a £12m signing this late in the transfer window, I'd be a bit pissed off that it was a 17 year old winger.
If Chamberlain is actually going to get matches and based on the fee, its likely that he's Nasri's replacement. Whether Nasri leaves now or in a year's time with Chamberlain having some experience at a decent level then.
Mata is not a Cesc replacement and certainly £30 million would be a lot of money to play a player out of position. Especially when it would be your record fee by a country mile
If I was Wenger, I would rather paid an extra £5m for Mata and then signed a defender instead of signing another teenager.
would never have got Mata for an extra £5 million. But its no surprise that Wenger went for the cheap option rather than suddenly make a record signing like that
I think they could have got Mata for £18-20m. They spent £12m plus add ons which could total £15m.
No chance of getting Mata for that. £25 million might
Does Chamberlain play centrally or strictly wide?
I think he is more of a winger but since he is only 17, Wenger has time to train him to be more of a central player.
Or to make him a good winger?
He plays on the wings or down the middle.
I saw Wenger describe the Ox as a player of 'exceptional quality' in an interview... you better hope this wasn't who he was talking about.
According to Wenger he can play anywhere along the front three, so centrally and out wide.
Jones was definitely needed if you look at the defense we have now. Without him we would have 7 defenders. We got him and are only adequately covered in the full back region. Especially the left slot.
This. I'm sure Arsenal have some money to spend. And they do need strengthening in certain areas. This signing however won't be the reason that other transfers that are more needed don't go through. I'm sure there was some other club with a less reputation and a similar bid offered going for him. So that won't make this transfer anything different than the Jones and Rooney one.
A key thing here is also that he's English which is something Arsenal will need more of in the next few years. Clichy has gone and that's one homegrown slot lost. Fabregas is one as well. Can't afford to sell all of their home grown players and replacing them with only foreign ones.
Well:
As I said there was a lot of speculation during spring, but there hasn't really been much this summer from what I've seen. I'm not saying he's a bad player, or that it's a bad signing. I'm just saying that there didn't seem to be as many clubs interested in the player (for the price you paid) that you made it look like.
What are the chances of him playing fullback? Or what about Smalling or Evans for that matter?
LB's: Evra, Fabio... Evans? Raphael?
RB's: Raphael... Evans? Smalling? Fabio? Valencia?
I get the feeling I'm missing someone there, but Brown and O'shea have been sold, haven't they?
CB's: Vidic, Ferdinand, Smalling, Evans, Jones.
So I suppose if Evans is going to become the new O'shea then you will definitely find some use for Jones. Though maybe you wouldn't have sold Brown and/or O'shea if Ferguson didn't feel forced to make a move for Jones?
We bought Jones because Liverpool who do need a defender were going to make a move for him. Jones was earmarked for next year, but the risk of him going to Liverpool made SAF act first.
We may not have needed him for the immediate future, but there was no way we were going to allow him to move to the scousers. The same isn't true about AOC though is it? How many teams were actually bidding for him? (even if they were interested wasn't he always going to end up signing for Arsenal because of his fathers history with the club?)
Bottom line, Arsenal need other players more then they need a young winger whereas with us we were going to buy Jones next year but had to accelerate those plans because there was a genuine danger of him being snapped up by one of our rivals.
Seeing that Smalling played right back against City and he's been using all three of them in the full back positions in pre-season I say SAF has definitely them in mind to cover for the twins and Evra.
I don't see the point of using Valencia as a right back unless you're saving a substitution late in a game.
It was buying Jones now or never really. And English talent is scarce. SAF made the right move by acquiring him.
I think the bolded part is quite right. I'd guess either Brown or O'Shea would've stayed at OT if we hadn't signed Jones. But it was now or never, as there's very little chance he'd have left Liverpool for us when we decided we want him.
I don't think Jones will play much on either back really, but Evans plays left back for his country and has done so on a few occasions for us as well. Smalling played quite a lot on the right back during our US tour and against City as well. He's done very very well there and was one of our best players against City. I can easily see him getting 15+ games on the right back, depending on opposition and twins availability.
Dear Mr Wenger,
Please spend some - no, lots - of money so we can have some competition!
Please spend some - no, lots - of money so we can have some competition!
I think he's a very promising player but im holding judgement until I see what else Wenger will do. He clearly has an obsession with young, fast and versatile attackers these days.
Still, if he let's Fabregas and Nasri go and doesn't replace them with equal experience then he's lost the plot. Arsenal can't really say they are moving forward with their transfer dealings so far.
Still, if he let's Fabregas and Nasri go and doesn't replace them with equal experience then he's lost the plot. Arsenal can't really say they are moving forward with their transfer dealings so far.
Ridiculous signing considering the money spent. Other areas of the team need addressing, not that im complaining.
Make no mistake, if a bigger club than arsenal wanted this lad, (Us, chelski or, as it pains me to say, city) wanted this lad, they would have gotten him.
Make no mistake, if a bigger club than arsenal wanted this lad, (Us, chelski or, as it pains me to say, city) wanted this lad, they would have gotten him.
Hahaha make no mistake huh? Just like I suppose Ramsey did too, yeah?
Get yer hand off it you plonker.
I'm afraid this round goes to cesc, Mickey.