At times exciting, fast paced and with lots to give to their fans (on the pitch: passing game, clinical finishes, great to watch. Off the pitch: Podolski’s signing early on, talks of a revamp of the team)
At times plenty of self doubts, inconsistency and nerves (on the pitch: defensive lapses, goalkeeping errors. Off the pitch: indecisive at the time to close deals that were 90% done M’Vila and Vertonghen as if at the last very second they were not sure if they wanted to spend the money they thought the players were worth for the duration of the negotiations)
At time frustrating, unlucky and stubborn (on the pitch: trying to pass the ball into the opposition’s net becoming a little predictable at times, exciting signings failing to make the grade. Off the pitch: having funds to add to the team but not wanting to spend it, unable to off load some of the players that need to go in order to add funds for new ones or to improve salaries to crucial existing players)
I admire all of the above, for good or for bad. The way the club are all in this together, directors, Manager, players and fans.
There is passion in everyone at the football club, and yes there are disagreements about policies and other things, but they all clearly want the best for AFC.
Now the names linked with the club are so many that it confuses everybody.
M’Vila was nearly signed and before rubberstamping the deal the North London club had second thoughts.
The player, his club and his agent were left buffled. The deal is not totally dead, but Arsene has already a plan B with Etienne Capoue from Toulouse who plays in the same position as M’Vila, but cost far less money.
Giroud (as we wrote on our blog “News and updates from some top teams” in May) has nearly signed, and should be announced very soon.
RVP and his agent have spoken to Juventus twice, and there are many suitors for the Dutch striker, so it is a matter of playing "wait and see" until after Euro 2012.
There is a list of 6 or more players that the club want to let go, but have not been many takers or the offers have been too low to even consider them.
When a while back Djourou , signed a new contract, I said he was doing it in order to get a lump sum from his sale and to help Arsenal get some money for him. I was told back then by fans, that I was crazy, etc. Looks now that, it is exactly what has happened there, as his agent is in Italy talking to Napoli and Juventus.
Barcelona offered a few players to some EPL clubs (Tello, Cuenca and Pedro) but only Liverpool has shown some interest in one (Tello). Cuenca since then has been injured, requiring surgery, and Pedro is back in favour at the Catalan club.
Other reasons that have delayed the signing of players for most clubs is to see if they can unearth a gem during the European Championship. On that subject Arsenal have found themselves one they are interested in, Alan Dzagoev from Russia, who will cost around £13m.
As I have, over the past few months, spoken so much about Holtby and Suarez and I get many questions, doubts and comments about them. I will make a separate update on them in another blog.
Another similarity to prove that the headline of this blog is right is that Arsenal are not the top choice for world class players to sign for. Just like looking at the league table, there are always two or three teams that are above the Gunners.
I am sure that Arsene Wenger will get lots out of this window, but just like his team on the pitch, you will all need to wait until the last minute in order to get there.