Progress: To advance toward a higher or better stage; to improve steadily, often towards a set target/goal.
Just two days after Robin van Persie completed his move to Manchester United, and only half an hour after a slightly disappointing goalless draw at home to Sunderland, Arsenal revealed that the club have agreed terms to sell Alex Song to Barcelona. I think it is possible that Arsenal had intended to release the Song news after we won convincingly against Sunderland, although this plan somewhat backfired when we didn’t win.
Numerous Arsenal players (the one’s who actually still want to be at the club…) have come out and said that the squad is stronger than last year. I would have to say I think that I agree; the RvP situation aside, we have a more rounded and complete squad that now has a bench of which other teams will be at least slightly frightened. The signings of Lukas Podolski, Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla have been fantastic. Cazorla adds a completely new attacking dimension to the team and, based on his performance against Sunderland, will prove to be one of the signings of the summer.
The sale of Alex Song will no doubt have irked more than a few Arsenal fans, me included. This transfer is typical of the 1 step forward 2 steps back philosophy that the club have been sticking to in the last few seasons. Just when it looks as if things are going away, Arsenal go and frustrate us yet again.
Wenger on Arsenal.com:
“He expressed a desire to go to Barcelona.
“It is frustrating, we have learnt to deal with that. I believe as well that the financial potential of some clubs is massive and that makes a difference.”
“We have [Jack] Wilshere coming back, I believe in one-and-a-half months. We have [Abou] Diaby back, we have [Tomas] Rosicky not far away and we might bring another midfielder in as well.”
Wenger to SkySports:
“He’s another good player that leaves us and there’s two things you feel always that you did your job, that we take these boys at 17 years of age and we’ve influenced their career in a positive way.
“The second is at their peak you sometimes lose them but we’ve got plenty of midfielders and we still might bring somebody in.
“Overall I hope we can compensate that because we’ve seen what we have faced today, we need quality passing out from midfield and therefore that’s a very important part of the game.”
I don’t usually say this, but Wenger’s comments are spot on. It’s frustrating to see Song go, but we have a few very talented, young, central midfielders (I am thinking in particular of Jack Wilshere and Francis Coquelin) who can play alongside the likes of Diaby, Rosicky, Cazorla and, of course, Arteta. Another world-class player would be a big bonus, but either way I still think we are stronger than last year.
Yes Arsenal have talented individuals. Wasn’t it the case with Vela/Denilson/Bendthner,etc.If theyse guys play and can win games,Song will be forgtten as will RVP. If the gunners start to flounder,Wenger has run out of excuese and has nowhere to hide.
If Wenger takes that money and (responsibly) put it back in the club by securing at least two quality players (I’m sure we all have suggestions), then no one will be upset over the departures or the final result. The simple fact is that we are Arsenal, we should always be involved in the transfer market, improving the squad with quality players that can contribute right away. We are not Sunderland or any of these mid-bottom table clubs. So we expect that our manager acts as such.
Heard song was creating trouble within the team and the lads are actually glad to see him off. Just hope we get reinforcement especially Nuri Sahin
WE DO NEED THESE PLAYERS IN PREFERENCE BUT WE NEED TO ADD ALL THESE PLAYERS TO FIRE UP THE ARSENAL TO A NEW DIMENSION SURPASSIING THE LIKES BARCELONA , REAL MADRID, MAN UTD-CITY, NEED i SAY MORE.
SAHIN has good vision on the pitch of any play and can pass thru an eye of a needle.
WANYANA is a commanding defensive player. Not short of confidence, this powerful player reads the game very well.
M’VILA is a talented holding midfielder with a dynamic attitude capable of protecting the back four.
BELHANDA is a dynamic player with no fear of unlocking any defence. Guaranteed highest goal assist in the premier league as well as scoring himself. His vision of play will lead us to trophies.
MATIAS SUAREZ not to get confused. A striker with PACE. We do not have a striker with pace and he knows where the goal. There is a Maradona look about him.
At the moment, the balance of the squad is far from right to challenge for major trophies.
Lastly it is disappointing we could not bring Joel Campbell to play for the Arsenal.
Agree with the comments. If Wenger wants to make a statement of intent to challenge for the epl,he has to start winning games. I know Sunderland park the tank/lorry/omnibus. But top teams,if Arsenal want to be considered a top team,have to get to grips with such teams.
If not Arsenal won’t be able to fight for the epl and may as well concentrate on winning just the Carling cup.I think Wenger has to find other ways of playing such teams.If not get somone else who canprove to be a difference.
Btw Wenger is correct to say Arseneal doesn’t need stars. Football is a team and simple game. If you can win without stars,do so.greece won the euro with team performnce but they played only six to eight games at most. The epl is a mmarathon.