Official Arsenal FC Thread

Chris wrote:

Lay off Arsene! Fergie leaps to defence of beleaguered Gunners boss Wenger
By MICHAEL WALKER
Last updated at 11:14 PM on 26th August 2011

It is, Sir Alex Ferguson said matter-of-factly, an unfair world. He was referring to Arsene Wenger and English football’s increasingly fraught and ‘tribal’ nature.
In the midst of a strong defence of the great managerial rival he meets once again at Old Trafford on Sunday, Ferguson said: ‘I’d like to know who’s going to replace him.
‘I think the work he has done in his 15 years at the club is the best in Arsenal’s history. Yes, he’s not won a trophy in six years, but what does that mean? The quality of his side has not been reduced, he still has great quality in that team.

Defence: Sir Alex Ferguson (right) has backed Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger
‘When you look at the competition, it’s stepped up in recent years. Chelsea’s involvement has created a lot of those problems –—they and ourselves have been dominating the Premier League. Manchester City have come on the scene, Tottenham had a great season last year and the season before. The competition is far greater.
‘When Arsenal and ourselves were going head to head, that went on for about eight years, you know. So it (the criticism) is a bit unfair. But then who understands fairness and unfairness today? It’s quite a cynical world and supporters are far less easy to please than they were 20 years ago.’
Ferguson’s tone was resigned. Despite all his success at United, and at Aberdeen before that, he too has had periods when his management has been questioned. When Chelsea began to soar on Roman Abramovich’s money and Jose Mourinho’s talent, they won consecutive league titles in 2005 and 2006, and Arsenal took the spoils in 2004.
There was an opinion around then that Ferguson had peaked, that he and United were on the way down.
Ferguson thought back to that and said: ‘You can’t stand still, put it that way. I’ve never tried to stand still.

Fight back: Manchester United recovered from losing their crown to Chelsea
‘The two years we lost the title to Chelsea, we had to think about how we’d get that title back. There was a lot of thinking about being a step ahead, looking forward, not looking back bemoaning how we lost the leagues.’
That was inside the building. Outside, United’s failure to win a title in three years was stirring vehement views. It is the same with Wenger now.
'Supporters of today don’t have the patience of 30 years ago,’ Ferguson said. ‘The country has become more tribal than ever through football. Clubs in the North and South, I’m aware of that.
‘When we go to play Liverpool, you know the atmosphere. The local derbies are becoming more volatile. Arsenal have got three or four London derbies. We look at our derby games: City, Liverpool and Bolton. I don’t think education comes into it. Supporters are more involved with their team.’
The Arsenal fans complaining about Wenger would probably argue that their patience has been tried by Wenger’s methods in the transfer market.
United completed their transfer dealings quickly after winning their 19th league title. Ashley Young arrived from Aston Villa, David de Gea from Atletico Madrid and Phil Jones from Blackburn.

Fresh faces: United have strengthened their squad with Ashley Young (centre)
Arsenal, by contrast, have let the Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri situations develop into a summer-long saga. Gervinho looks a promising buy, but Arsenal arrive in Manchester without a new centre half or experienced midfielder.
Ferguson was again sympathetic to Wenger, saying United had faced a similar Barcelona issue to Fabregas with Gerard Pique. United, he also noted, eventually had to accept that it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘dream’ to play for Real Madrid after six years in Manchester.
Ferguson reiterated that in football the power now lies with players and agents and there was no criticism of Arsenal either when it came to Nasri. ‘It’s sensible to take the money’, he said.
But Arsenal supporters would surely note what Ferguson said shortly afterwards: ‘You cannot become bitter about these things because it’s the modern world. The important thing is to make sure we’re prepared for these moments.’

Talent drain: Arsenal have sold several key players including Samir Nasri
As an example, he said that was why Nani was acquired before Ronaldo departed. Gunners fans will ask why replacements for Fabregas and Nasri have yet to be recruited.
Only two league games have been played, Ferguson stressed when trying to keep the excitement about his young players in perspective, but United appear ready to mount a serious challenge for a 20th title.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been fretting about ensuring qualification for the Champions League and with one point from their two league games, defeat on Sunday would leave them eight points adrift of United before August has ended.
Again without reference to Arsenal, Ferguson spoke of players such as Tom Cleverley earning their place in the team on here-and-now merit rather than on potential.
But again, Arsenal’s fanbase will take note. Ferguson did his best to relieve some of the pressure on Wenger; yet he could be about to apply more. Fairness may not come into it.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2030601/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-defends-Arsenal-boss-Arsene-Wenger.html#ixzz1WBp8LgCE

I bolded one particular sentence that puzzled me.

NoviNovak wrote:I think we need to sign Cahill today because if he plays well against Liverpool Bolton might want to keep him.

ClarkY wrote:BBC saying saying he is to have a Medical.

NoviNovak wrote:But why did we have to 'steal' from Lille. Now we will never get Hazard.

blackskar wrote:

NoviNovak wrote:But why did we have to 'steal' from Lille. Now we will never get Hazard.

We not allowed to bid for players now then?

He hadn't signed for them yet so we put in a bid and he preffered us. Not our fault.

blackskar wrote:Park-Chu Young

Out of the blue or what.

''But this Park-Chu Young Story is only the beginning of a crazy few days for Arsenal.''