Ok, so  I’m back after a couple weeks off. Just in time for the new season, I’m excited and ready to go. There is of course a few things that have irritated during the break.

There is a myth perpetuated by the media that with so many players leaving the Arsenal during the summer, Arsenal is the team most in danger of losing their place amongst the top 4. To some of us this feels like a case of deja vu. Even more so when the team tipped to break into the top 4 is, wait for it……. Spurs.

What I don’t get is the insistence that Arsenal has to buy “big” to win anything. This is simply not true, and I won’t get into how Arsenal and even Man U. has won titles after minimal summer spending. What I want to expose is the silly idea that there has been an exodus at Arsenal.

An exodus is a departure of a large number of people, in our case let’s be extremely generous and say it’s the departure of 5 or more players. We’ve only had 4 players leave, I’d hardly call that an exodus.

Lets take a look at the differences in the way things are reported and skewed to suit an agenda.

On players leaving Arsenal

“big names leave arsenal”, “exodus continues at Arsenal”, “Arsenal players jump ship”, “Arsene headache as players leave in droves”

Players leaving spurs

“Ramos Revolution”, “Ramos clear out at spurs”, “Spurs preparing for assault on top four”

Notice how at Arsenal it is negative and gloomy yet our neighbours who have had 10 out and 6 in is preparing for a revolutionary assault on the top four.

Another thing that irks me is the way Arsenal signings are treated with modest interest bordering on derision yet others are looked at as truly messianic.

Take Nasri for example, described as lightweight, inexperienced and too young. Forgetting that like Fabregas he has been playing top level football since 2004/05, is the same age and similarly (slightly bigger) built as Cesc. Whereas Dos Santos is hailed as a world beater ready to light up the premiership, no one questions his age (18), size(5′8″) or experience (28 apps for Barca). How does that work?

One more thing.

How come when we mention Rosicky or Van Persie, everyone adds the “if-they-stay-fit” caveat, yet Tottenham has a rock solid defence with dependable players like King and Woodgate?

Of course everyone has their own opinions, what is it that has got your goat this summer?

Tags: Arsenal, arsene, Barca, cesc, Fabregas, Football, Nasri, Santos, Spurs., van persie

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 31st, 2008 at 16:32 and is filed under Football. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.