Aug 30
Arsenal match up against:
Sevilla/AEK Athens
FC Steaua Bucharesti
Slavia Prague
Yeash, that’s a dog of a group if AEK Athens get through. Overall, the Champs League this year is weak outside the top 10 or so. There really isn’t one great group where I think, “That will be interesting…”.
Time to reduce this thing to 24 teams.
45 Responses to “Champions League ‘07-’08”
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August 30th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
We got it! Come on you Arsenal!
August 30th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
I think if we maintain focus and stay healthy that we have a great chance at plaing well in the CL this year…I think the players seem to be gelling well and that should translate on the pitch the longer the season progresses.
August 30th, 2007 at 12:54 pm
would like to see them play Sevilla… the boys are going to need to build some confidence on someone in this group… you can’t just run the table on a team like AEK, Slavia, Bucharesti…. and then feel like your up to playing someone like Porto, Roma, Schalke, ect… in the knockout stages
Sevilla will put up a decent fight for the Gooners to test themselves… compared to AEK
August 30th, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Sevilla would be a really interesting match to watch. Other than that? Meh.
August 30th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
Does AEK still have Rivaldo? Not that he would still be great being 35 or whatever he is now. But I thought AEK was where Rivaldo had ended up.
August 30th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
more than a decent group for our gunners. fair to assume that sevilla will make it through, we should finish top of the group, keeping a few clean sheets and getting a couple of stern challenges against one of the top teams in europe, sevilla are top quality.
btw, im sure we’ll be discussing this further in the coming days, but david dein just sold his arsenal shares to a new company backed by big money AND was named chairman! this is exactly what we needed, dein to come back to arsenal with the financial backing needed to keep us in line with the other big clubs in europe in order to take arsenal where it belongs, to the top. i’m sure kroenke will join this new company, Red and White Holdings (love the name!) and if not during the january tranfer window, definitely by next year we’ll be getting players like dani alves and obafemi martins and micah richards, and the likes. perfect complement to arsene wenger, welcome back david dein!!!!!!
August 30th, 2007 at 2:07 pm
lets dream big, kaka to arsenal in 2008!!!!!!
August 30th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Agree with Seattle G: Sevilla will be interesting but the rest…eh
The group stages are for kids really; no interesting/controversial groups. No “group of death”….All the seeded teams will qualify as one and two….
It is the next rounds starting in February 2008 that will be interesting.
August 30th, 2007 at 3:10 pm
I’m happy with the draw. Probably the best group for Arsenal.
Groups C and D could be interesting.
Rangers are screwed.
I’m more interested in the Russian firm called “Red and White Holdings”. David Dein sold his shares to the firm, and Dein is now chariman of the firm.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/6971224.stm
August 30th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
“but david dein just sold his arsenal shares to a new company backed by big money AND was named chairman! this is exactly what we needed”
Sure…..if you want an Uzbek born Russian called Alisher Usmanov as the owner of our club - get excited. Check out his photo - inspires confidence - like the 1970’s tinted glasses. I have some fundamental concerns about guys who have made mega-wealth in Russia in recent times. Is it really in Arsenals best interest to get caught up in this?
Historically I’ve been a great admirer of David Dein but that was then. Where does this put Stan Kroenke? Why didn’t Dein sell to Kroenke?
The few articles I have read on Alisher Usmanov suggest that he is a hard-nut in business. So if you think he’s gonna come in and liberally splush about millions think again and re-adjust your expectations.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
David Dein said: ‘Since April, I have deliberately kept my thoughts about Arsenal to myself. I have reflected on what best I should do in the future interests of the club.
‘I’ve always had the best interests of Arsenal at heart - I have had a love affair with the club since I was six.
‘I firmly believe the involvement of Red and White with a significant stake and the long-term commitment of Arsene Wenger are absolutely the best outcome for the club, fans and shareholders alike.’
Call me crazy, but I trust Dein, he was the one who brought AW to the club when nobody even had a clue as to who this Frenchman was, and I don’t think he would get into business with a crook. I don’t care where Usmanov was born, that is completely beside the point. Foreign ownership is here to stay and If he has the best interest of the club in mind (besides the obvious money-making implications) then all true gooners should get excited. We’ll have to wait on the Kroenke situation, its still possible he will join Red and White. And my expectations are to see Arsenal at the top,raising trophies in May, period.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Sevilla have a two goal cushion and should therefore go through against AEK Athens.
Either way, we have either team first up at home, followed by Bucharest away and the two Prague games. We should be aiming for ten points from the first four games for early qualification for the next round.
August 30th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Off topic
Bendtner played for the reserves tonight, as did Traore. Would have preferred him getting some game time last night. Does that mean he is out of the first-team picture for a few weeks?
August 30th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
I’m really happy with the Sevilla games. They should bring a freshness to the tournament. We also get to play them twice in more relaxed circumstances than the knockouts so they should be even more enjoyable.
Bucaresti should be comfortable but teams from countries like Romania sometimes pull rabbits out of the hat at their own ground. We must be wary. Slavia will tough also as I feel we might struggle with the familiarity of them. Different team but very much a Sparta vibe going on there.
All in all I agree with Rick that the quality seems to have dropped off markedly this year in terms of strength of groups 2,3,4. Bayern Munich’s loss is being felt, as is Juventus. If that prat Platini gets his away then the tournament will have an even more of UEFA Cup feel to it, quality wise, over the coming years.
August 30th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
Any team can be tricky in the Champions League. Just two years ago Villareal was a four seed and except for a great penalty save, would have made the finals. Same year, Man Utd went out at the group stage despite being seeded. And don’t forget Porto just won this thing a few short years ago. Bayern didn’t deserve to be in the CL as they sucked last year. However I expect to see them there next year. Ribery has been outstanding and is just too good to be at FC Bayern.
I had a feeling we would get drawn with Sevilla. I also have a feeling we will draw Valencia in the knock out stage this season. Arsenal, except for 2006, don’t have a good history against Spanish teams in Europe. However, I hope we win the group. Sevilla won’t drop points to any of the other teams in the group so we need to be strong. Can you believe we’ve got to go back to Prague?
August 30th, 2007 at 6:10 pm
As for Bendtner, he needed to play even if only for the reserves. I think Wenger’s keeping his attitude in check with this. We’ll see if Arsene’s doing the right thing.
I like Bendtner but I don’t rate him higher than any of the other three strikers we have. He doesn’t seem very quick but his awareness and link up play suggests he’s quicker than he seems. And he’s the only player I’ve ever seen who can jump higher than a keeper can reach. But Ade’s presence gives us added dimensions that no one else can provide. Adebayor can receive high balls. But, unlike Bendtner, Ade can go by defenders and since Henry’s gone, Ade is the only one who can stretch defenses vertically.
Bendtner just needs to be patient and learn as much as he can. His time will come.
August 30th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Adebayor and Eduardo looks like being the natural front line to me. The both work like hell, whereas Van Persie hangs around waiting for things to happen. But Van Persie is a very talented player as we know, so I would drop Rosicky and try Eduardo left side. Rosicky is a good player, but I think the team could be more of a direct attacking threat without him, worth a try.
So Dein is back, he’s never going to let this go that’s for sure. Personally, I trust Dein, he has always done right by Arsenal. He has had meetings with Wenger who I am sure is very well aware of his plans. Wenger + Dein+ foreign financial investment upholds Arsenal’s traditions and can take them into the future.
I also trust Friar and Hill-Wood (who is a bit old in the tooth to be honest), but the rest of the board are investors and care more about protecting that than Arsenal in my opinion. So I am happy to have new investors, as long as Dein is behind it. It could be an ugly power struggle though, but Dein wouldn’t do this unless he knew he could win it.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
From Sky Sports site tonight — “Uefa want to give the final spot in the Champions League - which is currently awarded to the side that finishes fourth in the Premier League - to the winners of the FA Cup from 2009.”
Competition for the top three spots is only going to get tougher and Arsenal are gonna need all the assets that can be mustered. If Usmanov or anyone else can help I say let him — especially if Dein vouches for him.
August 30th, 2007 at 7:47 pm
i dont see how more money would help as long as wenger is manager…..he has money now that he doesnt even touch.
as for dein…..am definitely not a big fan of his….very suspicious timing. plus why is he soooo desperate to sell the club off….i would rather 10 people owned the company than arsenal being one corrupt man’s plaything.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
The share is Dein’s. He can sell to anyone he likes as far as I am concerned. If u have some shares and sell it off, does it mean u betrayed the company?
And important thing is, he’s not just sold it to anyone randomly. He sold it to “The Red and White” holding with an aim to take over Arsenal.
The term “corruption” is a serious accusation, particular when u have no proof what so ever.
Bottom line is - WITHOUT Dein, there would not be even a George Graham era (GG was appointed by Dein as well), let alone the Wenger era. And we would be lucky to qualify for the UEFA Cup annually, let alone 10 successive CL qualification.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Agree Fred this “we need more money to compete” is a total myth.
1. as you say wenger doesn’t buy big….and even when he has bought biggish it’s rarely been the catalyst for success. I’ll be blunt, I don’t think he’s that good at it….it’s not his MO.
2. there is no free lunch. Any investor looks for a return. Once they have control they will structure and gear Arsenal to maximise their return or play with Arsenal for a while then flick it. Either way dreaming that someone wants to dump bucket loads of cash to bankroll signings that Wenger won’t make seems superficial to say the least.
Arsenal have money both from reserves and from ongoing profit streams. Ask yourself why Wenger doesn’t tap it?
What this does do is bring the merits of Stan Kroenke into focus. At least with Stan he’s a sporting man, skilled in the sports industry, and has a real interest in football. I’ve done a bit of reading about him and my concerns have softened somewhat.
Agree with DannyT’s point that there is a real risk that this could turn ugly.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I’m with fesoco, DannyT, and Andez on this one. In Arsene We Trust is basically the same thing as In Dein We Trust. You are in their camp or you are not.
Dein has Arsenal in his every fibre of his being. This is about improving his club for the long haul - to eventually put us in the top five of Europe rather than the top twenty. Spending lots of money now, before the “Red and White Holdings” thing comes to fruition, or something similar (an injection of big money with a direct connection to Dein, not some goddam Formula 1 tycoon - and a Chelski fan to boot), is not a good idea.
The stadium was a huge investment - and one that was absolutely necessary to get to and stay in the top five.
Now, the next step may be coming in a year or two.
I believe patience and trust will bear big returns.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:51 pm
I agree Dein has had Arsenal flowing through his veins. And people are free to debate what they want but for me the issue isn’t “Dein v the current board” or “you are in their camp or you are not”. If you wanted to keep things at that level try reconciling that Dein didn’t want to build the new stadium we now enjoy and the revenue streams that it produces.
For me it’s what shape is the future ownership going to take. In my view it’s critical.
We’ve been developing purposefully and incrementally into a Big5 club for 20 years. I’m sure we all want that to continue.
Dein’s been instrumental
August 30th, 2007 at 9:18 pm
i think its naivety of the highest order to believe that somebody buying the club will propel us.
and i find it very irritating when fans continue harping the “dein is arsenal through and through” mantra. damn.
as mentioned above…the same dein talking is the same one that was strongly opposed to the new stadium. ie. it doesnt mean he gets everything right.
i would rather arsenal was owned by several shareholders than one random billioniare who just wants to make a quick buck and brag to all his friends about owning some prime property in north london.
wenger has made a profit of almost 20 million pounds from transfers this year alone and hasnt spent sht….so i dont see how some random shady billioniare is gonna improve things.
August 30th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I don’t really have an opinion on what the best outcome would be, I only know the whole thing makes me a bit nervous.
Once Dein tried to bring in Kroenke without the knowledge of the board, there was no way to avoid ugly. I think it was a crucial miscalculation on his part.
I’m glad the F1 guy is out of the picture, he definitely didn’t give a rat’s about the club itself, just whether it was a good investment.
Kroenke, well, I’d like to believe he’d be a great owner, but I just don’t know. I have to say I’m a bit sceptical about (now don’t take this personally) Americans being great fans of English football teams. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an American and a great fan of the Arsenal (in my own humble opinion) and if you’re reading this you probably are too. But how many American Arsenal fans were there before the modern premier league, the internet and Wenger? Now eliminate the expats, how many were there? My point being that its hard to believe Kroenke was an Arsenal fan before he viewed it as in investment.
Rich, not dead men from former soviet republics: very, very suspicious. (Rich dead men, still very suspicious but mostly harmless.)
Status Quo: Apparently, very good businessmen. Building the stadium, by anyone’s account, was a fantastic achievement, and would be even if we were mid-table for 5 years as a result. And yet, it’s not hard to view the current board as a bunch of pompous old farts that can’t recognize the changes underway, that are oblivious to the ground shifting under their feet.
For me there is only uncertainty about the board, regardless of how it all shakes out, until we see what the new owners do. (There will be new owners one day, and possibly they are none of the above people.)
But I’m optomistic at least for the near term, because whoever is in the boardroom wants Wenger to stay for as long as possible. It doesn’t really matter if they have boatloads of money or just one boatload, if Wenger stays he probably wouldn’t spend more than one boatload regardless. Enjoy it while it lasts, its fragile.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:04 am
Interesting points. I’ve been a fan of soccer all my life. I watched the World Cup when it was unfashionable (at least in the US). I watched bits and pieces of the MLS when it started up but the quality was low and the commentary worse so it was unwatchable IMO. I’d leaned towards supporting the Red Bulls but I grew up in South Jersey and never knew a NY or DC team that I liked… Bring a team to Philly and I will be a season ticket holder.I didn’t become an Arsenal fan until a few years back but how many people support a team they never see on TV or in person?
As for the takeover rumors, I think the current board has it right and hope they continue to build a sustainable big club. Why have all the foreign owners suddenly appeared? Because the TV money is huge. A lot of these guys are plowing millions into the teams but I’m sure they consider it an upfront investment for a longer term payoff. That said, I would expect any takeover to give us an injection of cash and some players with it. IF we stay in the top tier while being fiscally conservative now I believe Arsenal will have the best finances of ANY English team. I also believe that there is no better manager than Wenger to accomplish such a feat and the young squad is a result of him playing for this environment.
As for the draw, I hope it allows us to relax at the end when Dec. fixture congestion starts approaching- it will also give 2nd choice players an extra game or two to hone their skills.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:16 am
@Fred and @Greg and @Kiwi
Points well taken.
The issue about Wenger wouldn’t spend money even if he had lots of it.
What’s better? Spending several million on a Shevchenko, or not spending it? Of course - either way, you lose, so obviously the key is spending it on the right player.
By all accounts, the market is over inflated - look at some of the signings this summer by Prem clubs.
The right player in Wenger’s view is one with a lot of upside potential - cheaper than the alternative, which is a player at the peak of their game (full potential already realized) for an incredibly high price.
Which is a better investment? For me, the first one is better (Henry was a great example), but it probably has a lower success rate, money aside, and has a lag time to full fruition.
Second - doubts about Dein (his track record about the stadium). I admit I know very little about that. Fred - I agree with the “naivety” characterization of hoping for the white knight coming in and sweeping us into the promised land.
But, the point is that the cash has got to come from somewhere (unless you think that we already have all the money we need to be kings of Europe).
And, for us to be tops of Europe for an extended period (like the rest of my life), that cash has to come from the right person. Ecclestone (F1 guy) seems wrong (a la Greg), and I don’t trust Kroenke for the reasons stated by Greg. That leaves Dein with the rubles (I know - it gets back to Dein apparently supported Kroenke, and I don’t feel Kroenke is the right one).
If anybody knows how much money Arsenal really has to spend on players, is it enough to get where we all want to get?
If the answer is yes, then who should Wenger buy?
If no, then how do you get the cash?
For you baseball fans, the Oakland A’s are a great example of a team with lower than average money who have a brilliant general manager who knows how to spot talent that nobody else can and thus can get that talent for bargins. Unfortunately, the A’s aren’t going to win any titles - they will just remain very competitive, good enough to make the playoffs every other year or so while not winning a ring.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:19 am
Henry Winter usually writes a reasoned piece.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/08/31/sfnwin131.xml
I agree with much of his thinking but not his conclusion.
“Dein seemed to metamorphose into Peter Kenyon yesterday, talking of “making Arsenal the world’s No 1 club”. Get real. Arsenal will never be that; they will never acquire all the stunning European Cup tradition and global appeal of Real Madrid or AC Milan. Or the glamour of Manchester United.”
Get real? The title of no.1 club is a fluid thing. It depends on your criteria as to who fits it at any given time. In any event Big5 is the appropriate objective for Arsenal and a sustainable one. If you are consistently rated in the Big5 you are likely to be positioning yourself to be no.1 at some stage so Mr Winter might live to eat his words.
Let’s look at the facts. London is one of Europe’s capital cities.
Arsenal are the only London club with Big5 infrastructure (stadium & training ground) – this is critical in London where the price of land and building is astronomical and even getting building consent is a huge challenge.
Arsenal have an excellent winning pedigree in England.
They have a long tradition.
Their brand of football is 2nd to none (whilst this hasn’t always been the case 10 years under Wenger has established a tradition of quality football).
Under Wenger Arsenal field some of the world’s best players.
Arsenal are incredibly well managed both on and off the field - their ability to be strategic in a ‘demanding now industry’ is incredible.
So for me the fundamentals are in place. Global appeal and glamour can and are being acquired. We can match or overtake AC Milan and ManU. Real Madrid have an incredible history in Europe so by that measure we will struggle – but that is only one measure and history is small consolation for present failings.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:00 am
Greg, do you think that some Soviet-born billionaire turned steel baron isn’t after an investment?
I don’t know if I trust Kroenke’s motives either, but I do know that he’s had a bit of experience in owning sports teams. I also know that I don’t trust any Russian businessmen any farther than I could kick Lenin’s casket off Red Square. Where they all crawled out from after the Cold War, I don’t want to know. But as you implied, connections to either the KGB or the Russian mob can be found on most of these guys… just like the majority of America’s billionaires had people looking out for them. Except, in the USSR, there were no Kennedy’s, Bush’s, Rockefeller’s or Forbes.
I’m American, of English/Scots/French descent, so yeah, I’m biased.And I’m not ashamed to admit that I prefer western ownership. British first, obviously, being that it’s an English club and I support the Union Jack as well as tradition. But if that’s not going to happen, then let it be an American, or an Australian. Kroenke isn’t the only guy out there who would be interested.
Let the Russians stay on the West End. To anyone who says you have to support Dein if you support Wenger, I say bollocks. That’s false logic and/or blind faith — and I support neither.
I do, however, support the Arsenal, and would even if they were to fall all the way to League 2. Highly unlikely, but don’t forget that once mighty clubs like Leeds & Forest use to be in the EPL.
August 31st, 2007 at 1:10 am
Leeds fell for lots of reasons, presumably started by panic buying of players to stay in the top 4. Didn’t work. Then the house of cards fell.
It can happen to anybody.
I agree with the wariness of Russians building a house of cards. They did a really good job of that with the USSR.
Hopefully that is in full swing on the West End, ryecatcher773.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:13 am
Fred, where is your evidence that Dein does NOT care about Arsenal’s best interests? Because he didn’t want a new stadium? Maybe he wanted serious investment first. There are many reasons why he may not have wanted a new stadium that WERE in the best interests of the club as he saw it.
Maybe he didn’t want Wenger to be skint for 5 years and Arsenal finish 4th three years running, which seems to be exactly what’s happening. I wouldn’t be so sure that Wenger would not welcome big money, as we have seen in the past, what he says in the press is usually completely different to what he actually does.
I cannot understand why anyone would be anti-Dein as there is no reason to be. Wenger is still having meetings with Dein and quite obviously trusts him implicitly, so if he is the “antichrist” what does that make Wenger?
Has anyone wondered why Wenger is still stalling on his contract, maybe it’s becoming a little clearer? Maybe he’s waiting for a reaction from the board following Dein’s statement yesterday. Maybe he wants this all cleared up first. Maybe he wants foreign investment, with Dein in charge, as he is fed up having his hands tied financially. Don’t presume you know what Wenger does or does not want.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:39 am
If it were another club the intrigue would be fascinating.
I can’t see Kroenke & Usmanov working together. Billionaires don’t play second fiddle. So Dein has changed camps. Why?
If the current Board powerblock disliked Kroenke the thought of Usmanov acquiring control will send them over the edge. Will it galvanise them?
Wenger? One of the reasons he has loved Arsenal is the freedom he is afforded to carry out his role. Would he enjoy that under Usmanov? Is that the Russian way? Dein’s ability to influence would be limited to persuasion. He is now nothing but a frontsman albiet with a wealth of knowledge and contacts.
Think of the Chelsea ensemble…..Abramovich, Kenyon, Mourinho, et al. That group of happy little campers. You might get a bit of extra money for a time but you get plenty else besides.
This is the most bizzaire thing imaginable - Dein’s pulled one out of the hat. Remember he’s very English.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:54 am
I think it’s fair to say that DDs timing could have been a little better and the only other facts we have are that Dein was kicked out the club for trying to bring Kroenke in without actually mentioning it to the rest of his colleagues - something of a business oversight I’d say, perhaps this is why the board thinks him a little untrustworthy. My read is that DD’s ambition is all about ascending to the role of Arsenal chairman.
As for Wenger, he has said that he has cash and if the right player is available he will buy him. The facts we know are that Arsene wanted the new stadium and has spoken out against foreign ownership. I hope that’s not presuming too much because in contrast to others I have generally found that what Wenger says and what he does are the same thing, that he is a man of his word and usually speaks the truth.
One thing for sure amid all the grand press conferences called and speculation whipped up - this will unsettle the players and you don’t have to be David Dein to know that.
August 31st, 2007 at 4:56 am
C’MON THE ARSESKI!
August 31st, 2007 at 5:57 am
What will settle the players is for Wenger to sign a new deal.
August 31st, 2007 at 6:55 am
is a fair point Nipuna. My view and, I would expect the players probably share this view, is that Wenger is a man of his word. He has said he’ll sign a new contract and I have no doubts he will.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:01 am
I don’t remember him saying he will sign anything. He has vowed to stay to the end of his contract that’s all.
August 31st, 2007 at 7:29 am
Kiwi
“I can’t see Kroenke & Usmanov working together. Billionaires don’t play second fiddle. So Dein has changed camps.”
What about Hicks and Gillete at Liverpool?
August 31st, 2007 at 9:27 am
Pirate,
I would disagree…I think that the timing of Dein’s actions could not have been any better. These are calculated moves that have been orchestrated in various restaurants, homes, backrooms, and afternoon teas over months.
It is not a coinicidence that the announcement comes one day after we secure a CL spot. If we had lost to Sparta, all would say we lost financial power of the CL and now a sugar daddy is coming in for a take over.
It is not a coincidence that AW has delayed the signing of his contract. Once this blows over, and the reaction of the board becomes apparent, he will most likely sign a 3-4 year deal. I don’t see him going any where, barring some total disaster.
It is not a coincidence that Keith Edelman has reiterated the club’s strong financial position weeks before the numbers are released.
And, in the next few months when this oil oligarch takes over the club, with Dein and Wenger in charge to attract more of the young/up and coming talents in the world to The Emirates (a world class stadium), to play the sexiest football in the best league in the world, it won’t be a coincidence.
It is merely part of a master plan…..
August 31st, 2007 at 9:57 am
Yeah, what do you guys think Wenger and Dein talk about in their hotel meetings, the shape of their cup cakes?
Personally I find the idea of an overweight Russian criminal running the club distasteful, but it’s going to happen whether you like it or not - and I’d rather David Dein was part of that company with his close friend and ally Wenger sitting next to him and maybe moving upstairs at the end of his tenure.
If Arsenal did not want foreign investment or had morals about where they earned their money from then why sell a box to the Russian in the first place - and remember, big Arsenal shareholders, ie. owners are diamond merchants, which is hardly squeaky clean - they may not get their hands bloody but plenty of people have been murdered mafia style so diamond merchants can get rich.
There’s certainly a lot of hypocrisy flying around.
August 31st, 2007 at 10:07 am
biggun at comment 39…..that is the most naive comment in history!
August 31st, 2007 at 10:14 am
Great PR job Biggun, I failed to see the full master plan! ????? ??????? ?? ??????? Arsenal!
Wenger talking about the possible takeover bid…
“It has no implication on my contract at all. Some news will come out next week.”
You think Wenger was waiting for the reaction of the board before signing a 3-4 year contract? I think even an outsider at the club could tell what the reaction would be, I think the board have made their position abundantly clear. I for one will be surprised if any takeover goes through in the next year, 2 years, 3 years. We built the stadium - something Arsene and DD disagreed on - precisely to give the club the means to generate the income to support a world class squad. The board has repeatedly said it does not want or need a sugar daddy.
I think the only coincidence about the timing of Dein’s announcement was that it came on a day when DD is usually in Monaco, representing his ‘one club’ and he wanted to make sure he could extract maximum publicity for Red and White and David Dein…which was definitely part of the master plan!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:37 am
i like to see gooners debating from all different sides, that’s what this forum is all about. we may not agree on everything, all the time, but the bottom line is that we all love the arsenal and want to see the club succeed, not only this year and next but for years and years to come. football club ownership today (and into the future) is not what it used to be, say, even ten years ago. it is a business and owners, of course, will want a return. but sport is also about winning and producing results on the field of play, and to make money you need to win trophies and, hopefully, play beautiful football in the process. this is about more than just money, we as fans are also a big part of the club, there is a reason there were 58,000+ people on wednesday at the emirates for a, lets face it, meaningless game. arsenal football club has all the ingredients in place to become the top club in the world in the next 20 years, and history will come with results. real madrid has 9 european cups, milan has 7, what if the gunners win 5 or 6 in 20 years time?
point is, we all want the best for the club, and although we may disagree in some points, i think we should all agree DD has the best interest of the club at heart.
arsenal 3, pompey 1!
August 31st, 2007 at 11:50 am
@ryecatcher773, post 29:
I hope that investment is the only interest. Then there’s a chance he’ll just give money and not interfere with anything else. I’d still feel slimy about taking the money, but maybe I’m particular about that because I know a lot of not-rich Russians.
My main point isn’t that the Russian would be better than Kroenke or the Sheik to be named later, just that none of the options were without risk - any of them, including the current board, could go wrong.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Fred,
Why do you think 39 is naive?