GoonerBear
Full Member
- Joined
- Oct 28, 2020
- Messages
- 3,505
- Supports
- Arsenal
Sure, and I don't agree personally with much of the bleak assessments in this thread. That said, I'd argue AFTV is more in line with the general fanbase than you'd credit them for - the tail end of the Wenger years were absurdly toxic and divisive for the fanbase. There aren't too many clubs one would have to take seriously that are flying planes over their own ground pushing for your greatest manager to be sacked.
Regarding the rest, if you were only getting rid of your traditional scouting network and moving towards a more modernised system, I'd be less pessimistic. The fact that you're getting rid of the StatDNA influence cannot be viewed as a positive in my mind.
Signing the likes of Willian is far worse - he's on absurd wages, is the inferior player to the young player you already have, and will be a crippling burden soon if he isn't already. Ziyech is a massive upgrade, offers a different dimension to anything we had previously, and is on far more reasonable wages. Also any comparison of our current sides in terms of youth coming through and playing meaningful minutes is completely one-sided.
I didn't mention the AFTV lot, that was someone else. Think the problem regarding Wenger was that the board let it drag on for way too long. It wasnt an instant reaction, many fans & pundits thought that 2014 after the FA Cup win was the perfect way for him to leave on a high & time for change. I don't think the Wenger Out brigade were anti Wenger, just more pro change, & seen being visual & vocal as the only way to bring change.
As for the StatsDNA founder, I might be wrong, but I'm sure there will still be other analysts & experts still involved at the club, well versed in the processes. It's not like it was a guaranteed success anyway, I'm sure guys like Mustafi, Xhaka & Gabriel were credited with being highly influenced StatsDNA buys.
As for mentioning Ziyech, it was by no means a dig at the player, who I thought would have been perfect for Arsenal. I was just using it as an example of why buying a player coming to the end of his career for a 2-3 year spell can be seen as a positive in terms of bringing through youngsters behind them rather than signing established big players for big fees in their prime with years to go in their careers. Obviously Willian has been disappointing so far, there's no denying that, but from what I can see, him & Ziyech are on a similar basic wage, but Willians will be inflated due to a signing on fee, & bonuses, I've no idea what bonuses Ziyech would be entitled to.
Also, my comment about young players wasn't a dig at Chelsea, as they have a great crop just now, it was more how difficult it is to come through at big clubs in general. If you manage to get 1 or 2 coming through every couple of years that go on to become top established for that club your doing well.
Last edited: