George Graham has recently ruled out Arsenal’s chances of winning the title this season and claimed that it would be a much bigger ‘battle’ for the north London club to stay in the top six rather finishing within the top four in the next few years, which Arsene Wenger has brought them since his arrival back in 1996.
Graham knows what it takes to win titles in domestic competition and across Europe.
The ex-Gunners boss was quoted in the Daily Mirror saying:
‘The simple fact is that Arsenal could well be facing, in the next few years, the prospect of a battle to stay in the top six rather than the top four finishes that Arsene has brought them – against the financial odds – every year.’
‘To compete for the title this year is going to be a huge task.’
‘You look at what Manchester United and Manchester City have spent already and what Chelsea is capable of spending.’
‘There is the prospect that Arsenal could be in the same kind of bracket as Everton and Aston Villa.’
‘The best players will naturally congregate at the most successful clubs. That is just common sense. And those clubs will pay wages that Arsenal cannot match and pay fees that Arsenal cannot lay out.’
Six years without a trophy has put the pressure on a frustrated Wenger and has unsettled a number of fans, but Graham says the board and the directors should stick with the Frenchman. But for how long will they stay besides their man?
Despite the fact that he has brought so much success to the club in previous years, Wenger has failed to deliver to the fans and the club. We all know what he is capable of producing; take the season of the “Invincibles” for examples. Before this achievement, Wenger claimed – ‘I think we can go undefeated this season’ – which we did, and this is a record that still stands to this very day.
Graham went on saying:
‘Don’t get me wrong, I think that Arsene has done a fantastic job at the club. And I mean fantastic.’
‘If you look at the money he has spent and the money he has re-couped in his time as manager, his achievements have been little short of remarkable.’
‘But the whole financial scene has changed now. He used to basically have the French market to himself because of his knowledge and contacts.’
‘He hasn’t now. Other clubs have caught up. And there are three clubs now who can pay high fees and high wages – higher fees and higher wages than Arsenal that restricts him.’
The only thing George Graham has the right to say is he created the most boring Arsenal side in history
No We don’t,,,something’s in the air this year. We will win something. Frodo will finally throw the ring into the fires of mount doom and defeat Sauron..
Graham cannot see better than what he is saying because of the element of jealousy in the recess of his mind. Neither Chelsea nor Man United has done incredibly more than us in the transfer market yet. It is also obvious that we have not finished in the transfer market. When people consider Arsenal and transfers, they forget about the fact that Vermualen is like a new signing. They also forget about Frimpong and Ryo Miyaichi. They also forget that our goal keeper situation is a bit more stable than last season. They do not remember that Man U has a new keeper that is yet untested in the premiership. I agree with gunzblasing who says that something is in the air this season.
They also forget that the spotlight is on dodgy officials and the governing bodies of football, so the blatant “help” some teams receive should be reduced this season.
Or am I just dreaming?
Graham is only expressing his view as a fomer coach but does’t know what wenger is doing behind the scene or does he think wenger enjoys the trophyless years.Remember it was said at the begining of last season that arsenal will loose top four position,you know we were title challenger before the carling cup loss,Graham,not to worry you will see a different squard this season that will blase the trail.Buy wenger should ont keep unwill player
I was never impressed with george graham anyway, I well believe arsene wenger could come unstuck, this will all depend on how he manages over the next few weeks in the transfer market, if he strengthens our defense, and they do there home work on set pieces,
if this is done with great judgement and buys players of equal or better as gervinho then I think arsene wenger can come up smelling of roses and could even challenge for the top spot in the premiership and get it!
If you were not impressed by what George Graham did – with such limited resources – you are in need of help. Why not start with Football for beginners ?
Yes indeed top 6 may be all we can achieve. Its not all bad news though …. Wenger’s obstinacy would finally be blown apart.
Well,well,well, true talk true comment,but let us keep our fingers cross and see what will happen at the end of the day.