As Arsenal fans, we’ve come to realise that it’s vital for us to keep hold of our star players. Keeping a quality side together is just as important as creating one in the first place.
Despite using a word that has been ruined thanks to “the ASBO children”, very few of our legends finish at Arsenal. However, I will argue that Wenger is usually spot on when it comes to letting players go – as well as knowing which players we should refuse a transfer out of North London.
For example, I believe he was right about selling Henry, Vieira, Toure and Adebayor – once, all big players of The Arsenal. I feel the two Frenchman were past it, and we did very well to receive such offers for players who were clearly on the decline. We were also lucky that Man City came in for both, Greedy and Kolo – we would have been stupid to turn down such ridiculously lucrative offers.
Arsene isn’t perfect – like letting go of Robert Pires because we wouldn’t offer him a 2 year contract – but I’m sure you’ll agree that he’s got most things right over the years.
Arsenal aren’t a selling club. But like any team that wants to be the best, we now need to hold on to our key players. Cesc Fabregas is obviously my first shoutout. Cesc has been linked with Barcelona every transfer window for about 5 years now. I don’t have a crystal ball, but I have no doubt that he will return to Catalonia one day. It’s a sad thought. But it doesn’t mean that he won’t stay with us for a few more years…
Samir Nasri is next for me. From a genuinely unbiased view, he’s been the best player in the Premier League so far this campaign. No doubt we will see Barca attempt to “urge” him to the Nou Camp this summer, just like they’ve done with Fabregas every close season since I can remember… Sigh!
Robin van Persie is another one that has the potential to become a great Arsenal player. If he can keep fit and become a consistent performer, I will have no problem comparing him with the greats.
Rewind back to the present, where we have a solid team to build on. Despite us having a very long way to go in terms of winning the title, we’re very much in it this year. I’m still not convinced whether we will become champions this year, but there’s no reason why we shouldn’t feel optimistic. This is the strongest side we’ve had in a while, and I believe that they are going to give it their all and remain contenders right up ’til May – in my opinion, of course.
And with our extraordinary financial structure, we’re only going to get better over the years. We will be able to buy the better players, as well as having the luxury of world class training facilities to improve our squad as a whole. Our academy setup isn’t one to question either.
Like most of you I’m sure, I can’t predict the future. But I know the future involves Arsenal Football Club becoming one of the biggest forces in world football.
The future is bright. The future is red and white.
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