Mike Paterno
On Tuesday morning, I started the day in my usual routine, woke up, drove to work stopping for a coffee on the way, and listened to Alan Brazil on talkSPORT discussing Arsenal’s latest transfer bid - £10m for Newcastle’s Yohan Cabaye. Alan was discussing with Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp whether Arsenal had lost their class? The £10m bid was described as ‘disrespectful’ by Alan Pardew and I have to agree totally. Not only in my opinion is this a panic bid but the bid itself is very low and, coming only a few hours before they played their first league game, shows a lack of respect towards Newcastle.
In the words of John W. Henry ‘What are they smoking?’
It pains me to say it but, if Pardew is correct, is that how we do business now? By making what could be described as a ‘cheeky’ bid only a few hours before a club is meant to play a game? After a bid like that, does anyone at Arsenal think that Newcastle is going to want to do business with the club?
This summer has been a disaster in terms of Arsenal’s reputation in the transfer market, after being linked with the likes of Higuain, Gustavo and Suarez who have either moved to other clubs or decided to stay at their current club. Have Arsenal lost their class? Alan Brazil raised the point that the bids of £10m and £40,000,001 for Cabaye and Suarez respectively show that Arsenal are either out of touch with the transfer market or have lost the class that the club was once famous for.
Alan also raised the point that Arsenal Honorary Director Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith has come out saying ‘I deeply regret selling to Kroenke’. Also that Arsenal should ‘bring David Dein [back] and give [Alisher] Usmanov representation on the board if we are to have success going forward’.
The question has to be asked, is it the current board that is to blame for the current issues or is it the manager? I have stood by Arsène through the past few years and still believe he is the right man for the job. I do believe that Arsène has not helped the situation by making statements such as ‘Every club is finding it hard to find the right players’ – which every fan can see is simply not true. Take our neighbours down the road; they seem to be finding new faces with ease.
Something needs to change very quickly. We are quickly becoming a joke and a club that was once known for its class is self-destructing. Unfortunately, I feel that in terms of this transfer window it is too late and that any signing made will be panic buys such as Cabaye.
