The Guardian's soft-spoken Scot, and chief football correspondent, Kevin McCarra, after siting that Arsenal's most expensive signing was Sylvain Wiltord for around £11m, eight years ago, described Arsene Wenger as having a magnificent arrogance for trying to compete for top honors on a shoe-string budget.
I think he puts it well, and for me, it's part of the allure of the Arsenal.
Longtime supporters, I've only done about 9 seasons, all in the Wenger era; longtime supporters are not always quite so amused. I've seen East Lower pose the question: "Is Arsene Wenger skint?", and Arseblog goes on tirelessly about the need to bring in experienced reinforcements. It's their club, the Gooners, and they like Arsene for bringing success, but they're much more interested in winning things now, I gather, than in Arsene's current youth project.
I still think the Arsenal practice of fiscal discipline allows for the prospect of long-term domination. The finance charges that Liverpool and Manchester United's American owners have to pay on the money they borrowed to buy the clubs have to hurt their long-term prospects, I would think.
For this season, though, according to Kevin McCarra, Arsenal will be in an unseemly scrap for 3rd, while powerhouses Chelsea and Man United battle for the league title.
Wicked Deflection does not subscribe to the McCarra pessimism for the 2008-2009 season, although that's subject to change if Arsenal are on the wrong side of a 4-0 result tonight against FC Twente, after having to rely on 17-year-old new boy Aaron Ramsey in central midfield.
Here's the Arsenal injury list:
1. Cesc Fabregas
2. Abou Diaby
3. Samir Nasri
4. Tomas Rosicky
5. Kolo Toure
6. Phillipe Senderos
7. Eduardo
8. Amaury Bischoff
Plus Alex Song is playing in the Olympics for Cameroon.
Projected first 11 for tonight:
Adebayor Van Persie
Walcott Ramsey Denilson Eboue
Clichy Gallas Djourou Sagna
Almunia
I predict Vela will have to start from the bench, with Arsene "maintaining the continuity of the side" with Eboue. I think Bendtner will be the first sub brought on, and Vela will probably get a short run near the end of the game.
Maybe even Jack Wilshere will get a little time.
2 hours ago
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1 deflections:
Jose Mourinho has joined the chorus writing off Arsenal, and says Spurs could replace Arsenal in the top 4. The Guardian preview for the Spurs, just out, I think, officially predicts they'll finish 5th (they predict Arsenal will finish 4th), but they add that if Spurs can keep their defenders healthy, they could be - wait for it...it's rich, this one: title contenders. Ha! Spurs mixing it up at the top of the table, that would be something to see.
I really hope Spurs supporters don't read that kind of guff and get their hopes up.
No pressure on Arsenal, then, with such low expectations.
The 2-0 victory over Twente, reportedly an ugly win, was such a good result. It's already a good start to the season.
Elsewhere, Liverpool were held scoreless away from home, so they'll need to win at home to advance to the Champions League group phase.
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