The January transfer window has been made into a form of torture for Arsenal fans over the years, with all the speculation the summer one has, only without the actual signings.
But this time it will be different, we think. This time Mr Wenger HAS to spend money on quality players. Does this mean this January will be exciting? No, it means it is even worse….
Two words: Andrei Arshavin. 6th in Ballon D’Or voting, star player of the Euros and last season’s Uefa Cup, I’m sure you all know the one I mean by now eh? In the last week or so we have had confirmation of a bid, been informed that Zenit will lower their asking price, Wenger keeps hinting away, Arshavin himself has said he would like a move to the Emirates, and is even willing to help pay for his own transfer fee according to todays reports in Russia.
Yet are we all confident of an immediate transfer before moving onto another target? Can we begin to draw up possible formations that could incorporate the potent attackers of Fabregas, Nasri, Van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott and the diminutive Russian playmaker? No.
While other clubs proceed to bid £12m for the world’s most average left back and those jokers down the buy their own player back at a £7m+ loss before trying and nab a Honduran international we rejcted for £2m 18 months ago for £15m, what do we think is an acceptable starting offer for a player with twice the talent that the aformentioned Bridge, Defoe and Palacios put together? £10m. That’s like going into a Ferrari dealership and offering a Toblerone, a half eaten Big Mac and £50 in two-pence pieces for their latest supercar.
Well, this time there’s no room for error. We need at least two quality players and with half a month already gone we need to compromise a bit of our reluctance to spend before it’s Febuary and we’re stuck with a team that carries less fear factor than a newborn kitten.
Arshavin’s agent says something will be sorted out early next week. Mr Gazidis, time to earn your money.
