Richard Ansell
So once again we limp towards the end of yet another season that promised much and as usual delivered absolutely nothing. So now we have the summer to look forward to; cricket maybe, Wimbledon anyone, or your annual family holiday (Lake District for us) and oh I nearly forgot Arsene Wenger and which players he will surely bring in (little joke there) to rectify the problem areas we have all witnessed far too many times this season and over the last six years or so.
On the subject of transfers I just about remember the buzz I used to get when we used to buy ‘big name’ players. I know it didn’t happen very often but once in a while we brought a player in that really got me excited. I have to admit that may be some of them did not live up to my expectations but never the less it was a statement of intent by my club that we were aiming for the top.
I am sure some of you can go back further than me but the following players are a few that I remember, some successful with us and some not, but all of them gave me that buzz I was talking about:-
Alan Ball
Alan Hudson
Malcolm MacDonald
Viv Anderson (not sure why I distinctly remember this one, but I do)
Kenny Sansom
Charlie Nicholas
Dennis Bergkamp
Marc Overmars
Obviously some of the above set the pulses racing more than others but the point is I felt we were at least trying to compete with Manure and the Scousers. Now we are content to be second or third or even fourth best, although our season ticket prices are scandalously high. Not only do we have to endure Wenger’s failure during the actual season, we also suffer (every summer) his complete refusal to buy in even one player that might actually make a real difference. Be honest with yourself, wouldn’t you like to pick up your newspaper one day in July and read that Arsenal had actually spent some money on a quality player? Or heaven forbid may be two?
As laudable as Wenger’s youth / bargain basement policy is I am fed up to the back teeth with it. It is not delivering and we as fans have indulged his fantasy football world for long enough. I know some of you will tell me to F off and support the Spuds but you know full well that is not possible as you cannot simply change allegiances after 40 odd years of support and we have no choice but to endure yet another transfer drought this summer.
Anyone for tennis?
