And so it begins...

[Dribble]

I think we can see clearly the impact of FFP now starting to take hold. Since it's induction, Arsenal are now starting to sign true world class players in Ozil and Sanchez. I like Navas but you would have to say in world terms he is a level below Sanchez. Chelsea are signing world level quality in Fabregas and Costa on top of Hazard. Annoyingly, Chelsea have also been able toe secure top dollar on good but not brilliant players in Mata and Luiz.

It is all setting up for an ultra competitive premier league, more so than ever. My concern now with FFP is our ability to transition from this team/squad which is undoubtedly incredibly strong but is on the high side in age terms, to the next iteration without having the big spending power we had before FFP

Make no mistake you can already see FFP having the desired effect.

I've mentioned this before, but Arsenal spending big now was planned from over 15 years ago, but few payed attention to an article where there master plan was laid out. Arsenal knew that they couldn't compete financially with ManUre and other European powerhouses because of the capacity and age of Highbury.

Not wanting a never ending sea of debt around their neck (like ManUre) it was decided that they would buy the land they currently own, build a new stadium, redevelop Highbury into living accommodation & sell the properties off for a bigger profit than if they'd just sold the land and concentrate the vast majority of their earnings into repaying their debt.

Wenger was told that as long as Arsenal remained in the Champions League, his job was safe because by finishing in the top 4, qualifying for CL every season, by spending only a net amount every transfer window they reckoned that by 2012-2014, their debt would mostly be paid and they would have a huge turnover with huge spending power and be able to compete with the European elite for top players.

This is the reason that Wenger was never put under pressure for not winning any trophies for 8 years and it's worked. Over the last 8 season's (IIRC), Arsenal have actually made a profit in terms of player transfers.

 

[bluemonkey71]

Here's a vid for you Tolm. Now post one back ;)


[video]http://youtu.be/x45BtoJpoks[/video]

 

[richards30]

I'd love to get Walcott but surely it would be beyond farcical if we signed another Arsenal player. :-)

the next arsenal player we sign will be alexis sanchez!!

 

[George Hannah]

I think we can see clearly the impact of FFP now starting to take hold. Since it's induction, Arsenal are now starting to sign true world class players in Ozil and Sanchez. I like Navas but you would have to say in world terms he is a level below Sanchez. Chelsea are signing world level quality in Fabregas and Costa on top of Hazard. Annoyingly, Chelsea have also been able toe secure top dollar on good but not brilliant players in Mata and Luiz.

It is all setting up for an ultra competitive premier league, more so than ever. My concern now with FFP is our ability to transition from this team/squad which is undoubtedly incredibly strong but is on the high side in age terms, to the next iteration without having the big spending power we had before FFP

Make no mistake you can already see FFP having the desired effect.

Not from your examples we can't. Arsenal are only signing players now because they've got the debt of the stadium all the way down. Fabregas (3 years on from when he left) and Costa especially are not world class, good yes but no way world class.
What does the money Chelsea receive have to do with FFP?

By persisting with the fiction that FFP sanctions have had no impact on City you now resort to the absurd idea that expensive world class signings by our competitors are either not world class or not expensive.

 

[supercity88]

I think people are being a bit Arsene Wenger about this. What are the weaknesses in our squad? Who should we buy? Last year we scored so many goals but we shipped far too many. We didn't have cover at right back. This summer we have signed a defensive midfielder and are looking for a centre back and have also added Sagna. What was the issue the season before? We were a bit one dimensional and didn't have enough pace in midfield. What did we do? We bought Negredo, Jovetic, Navas and Fernandinho to add variety, strength and pace.

What do Arsenal need? A striker. A centre back. A defensive midfielder (arguably). What do they have? Fuck loads of attacking midfielders. Who did they sign?

Sanchez is a quality player. Do we need him? No. Would we like him? Of course.

The club are signing players to address our weaknesses. With a well rounded squad we will be able to compete across all competitions. As the financial restrictions loosen in the next few years, we will be able to sign big names to enhance our squad. We have several players we can offload if we feel as though this is the window to take a punt on someone. We are going about things the right way by signing who we need and seeing the bigger picture. The rag side that won so much was not full of star names but it worked because everyone knew the role they had. They spent big money when necessary (as we have) but they were better than the sum of their parts. Wes Brown? John O'Shea? Somehow it worked.

 

[Kippax.]

Where's my old mucker tolm?

 

[BillyShears]

It is interesting that Nasty, Garcia, Sinclair and Rodwell - all of the players bought for Mancini in his last summer window - are said to be in the departure lounge awaiting their final call along with Micah.

Be interesting to see how many of them actually manage to get on a flight :)

 

[oakiecokie]

Great stuff!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chaka has got his pliers out...

Can you throw any light on this Tolm please :

Sport Witness ‏@Sport_Witness 1m
Apparently, according to a report in France we'll cover soon, Mangala stalling Man City move for a 'period of reflection'.

 

[Centurions]

I think we can see clearly the impact of FFP now starting to take hold. Since it's induction, Arsenal are now starting to sign true world class players in Ozil and Sanchez. I like Navas but you would have to say in world terms he is a level below Sanchez. Chelsea are signing world level quality in Fabregas and Costa on top of Hazard. Annoyingly, Chelsea have also been able toe secure top dollar on good but not brilliant players in Mata and Luiz.

It is all setting up for an ultra competitive premier league, more so than ever. My concern now with FFP is our ability to transition from this team/squad which is undoubtedly incredibly strong but is on the high side in age terms, to the next iteration without having the big spending power we had before FFP

Make no mistake you can already see FFP having the desired effect.

Not from your examples we can't. Arsenal are only signing players now because they've got the debt of the stadium all the way down. Fabregas (3 years on from when he left) and Costa especially are not world class, good yes but no way world class.
What does the money Chelsea receive have to do with FFP?

By persisting with the fiction that FFP sanctions have had little impact on City you now resort to the absurd idea that expensive world class signings by our competitors are either not world class or not expensive.

Fabregas's stock is significantly lower than when he left Arsenal regardless of price, if he's still world class then why did Barcelona let him go when Xavi looks to be on his way out? What was the meaning of that peculiar (presumably accurate) statement Barca put out?
Costa is just an overpriced big thug, and certainly wouldn't qualify as world class in my eyes at least.
By your thinking I presume you think the £35 million Andy Carroll is/was world class?

or not expensive.

where did I say that?

I corrected your post for you, no need to thank me.

 

[leighton]

People go on about Cesc Fabregas and say we should of got him and so on and on. I think the players we have signed in Fernando who is needed more than Cesc is a great deal.
Willy is a good keeper to keep Joe on his toes.
Sagna I don't overly rate the player but he is good back up to Zabba.
So far so good for me. Whatever centre half we end up signing and I think its a good window. I trust all involved in the club to get the right players to make us stronger. Some deals will drag on others won't.
Now its time to move out the dead wood if possible. Looking at Nasty he would be the 1 I would be pissed off to see going. I think he could add a lot of competition for places in the back 4.