Comments on: Misconception of Arsenal’s “kids” vs United’s “experience”

By: Liam

Liam — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:50:44 +0000

The thing is United spend money on players who eventually become more valuable or will serve the team for years to come thus spreading the cost. If SAF buys a good young striker and left back then we are set for years to come when we can bring players through the youths or only having to spend in a crisis so it will work out fine financially. On the Glazer situation, do you not think that some other businessman will come in with an offer for the biggest team in the world?

By: rohan

rohan — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:58:04 +0000

let arsenal and their fans have their happy hour…it took them almost three winless seasons to feature a title challenging side..fergie doesn’t expect or experience that sort of luxury that wenger does..so he splashes big bucks for quality players..there have been hits and misses nobody denying it but we are by far the strongest in england and have upped our squad quality from last season…as far as our game against the gooners were concerned..i found it absolutely ridiculous that they were celebrating a home draw in such manner..shouldn’t it be the other way around..it just goes to show you the sort of mentality ingrained at united and reasons for our success over the years when compared to arsenal’s blips over the last couple of seasons

By: Kingsley Vithane

Kingsley Vithane — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 11:17:49 +0000

Whilst we are on the issue of kids and cost that Arsenal are forever making a point of, may I remind you clowns of the cost of our 1996 double winning side: £0. We sold Ince, Kanchelskis and Hughes in the summer of 1995 for a combined fee of £14m, and brought in the following from the youth set up: Beckham, Scholes, Butt and the Neville Brothers, all of whom did not cost us a single penny. Hleb (£10m), Rosicky (£6.8m), RVP (£3.5m). So you Arsenal fans have absolutely no case to go on about money, when you have also spent money on youth, maybe not as much as we have, but the 1996 example shows that we have set the standards, and also, if you can see clearly with the names mentioned, they are all English players, and 4 of the 5 are local lads – the same set of lads who won us the European Cup in 1999, something you failed miserably in 2006. So unless you can match those feats, please shut up about your youth set-up, you haven’t won anything yet.

By: fuzzy

fuzzy — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:29:48 +0000

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/sport/article-23418467-details/Wenger+goes+global+in+his+hunt+for+the+new+Arsenal+Invincibles/article.do
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It’s people like these which glorify Arsene & his “kids”.

By: Paul at United on fire

Paul at United on fire — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:16:35 +0000

Cost should be an issue considering the debt we have; unless you don’t want to see £75 – £100 tickets at OT in a few years time.

I was never more proud that the team featuring Neville, Butt, Scholes, Giggs and Beckham costing not a bean. I wish it could happen again, but the rules have been changed and it would now be impossible for United to have signed Beckham under the current rules. That is why Arsene recuits non-English players and why United buy the likes of Nani and Anderson. Is the only difference the price tag.

One final point to note that Fabregas and Pique came from the same place at the same time.

By: PG

PG — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 20:59:12 +0000

@Priest… we are not punching above our financial weight. Arsenal is the 2nd biggest club in the world revenue wise and no. 1 on profitability. It is borne out of strict discipline, long term planning and sensible investments. When we sold Anelka for a profit of £22 M, we didnt go out and splash it on other superstars. We built the London Colney training ground, created a super scouting network and attracted the best young talent .. the results of which can be seen in the current Arsenal team. All of it done without sacrificing the core quality of playing entertaining football.

By: Priest

Priest — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 14:48:41 +0000

You’re probably right. Tevez, Nani, Anderson, Rooney, Saha, Hargreaves, Carrick, Ronaldo, Scholes, Giggs – ten strong players holding 5 positions.

But why the slagging off of Arsenal who are once again punching well above their financial weight – no matter how good the long term finances are Wenger hasn’t had the money to spend now.

By: jsos

jsos — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 13:57:11 +0000

Arsenal will end up with silverware? I’m sure the Carling Cup will look brilliant on your wall

Seriously though, experience playing together is what matters more than age IMO, and with the injuries of United early in the season, alot of the young players were forced to play together earlier than planned. However, they have shown themselves to be able to make that transition faster than anyone thought. 19 and 20 year olds starting matches and taking home the points – thats youth at its best. Arsenal have something to prove this season, so the chatter will keep on coming. Nothing will change until the season closes and the trophy is once again in United’s hand.

By: PG

PG — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:59:32 +0000

@Mick

If you dont do “cost” you end up like Leeds United.

Its true… its not how much you spend, but the quality you have. And not spending wisely means that you end up like a Jol or a Moaninho (and soon, Benitez). But dont you fret about trophies, Arsenal will end up with silverware this year.

By: beautifulgame64

beautifulgame64 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:22:48 +0000

Arsenal do have a team of kids. Only kids would have celebrated a draw at home to Manchester United the way they did.