Evolution Revolution Love
Thursday, 09 July 09, 07:59 AM · Comments(7)
One of the things, the side effects if you like, of Robin van Persie choosing to remain with Arsenal, rather than seeking to make his fortune elsewhere, is that Arsenal will have to pay out a shed load of money to him for the next five years. No, no, what I meant to say, of course, is that getting the Van Man to sign an extension which will see him give his best years to the club, is a statement of intent from the Arsenal hierarchy. It says, we are not content to to develop players into world beaters only to see them flogged off, albeit usually at a massive profit, we want to keep them so they can help us to become a bigger, better club.
This ties in with the words of Ivan Gazidis and, more importantly, with the actions of the club. Contract extensions already inked by the British quartet of Ramsey, Wilshere, Walcott and Gibbs might not represent the signatures that Arsenal fans wanted to see this summer, but as July progresses and pre season preparations begin in earnest, the atmosphere around the club seems a lot less turbulent than it has in summers past. A lot. We seem in good shape and I can't help feeling that this has undoubtedly been down to the influence of the CEO.
I do wish, however, that his influence extended into the corridors of power at ESPN and Sky. Because, due to ESPN, we will have to wait just a little longer for the start of our season, which will now begin against Everton at 5.15pm on the 15th of August. Our first three televised games are all away from home, with the Everton game being followed a fortnight later with a visit to Old Trafford. The trio is completed by Fulham on the 26th September, whilst our first home game scheduled is Blackburn Rovers the following weekend. The television companies aren't looking for Arsenal to slip up much, are they?
I mentioned yesterday that the manager would be hoping, as I suspect we all would, for a good contribution from Tomas Rosicky this season. The man himself says that, in terms of fitness, he's in better shape then when he came to Arsenal. He also repeats claims he made a while ago that, in both his and, Arsenal fitness coach, Tony Colbert's opinion, he was ready to play by the end of last season. Far from being irritated by this, I sense that perhaps Rosicky is just happy not to have been thrown immediately back to the coalface. I think I could learn to appreciate being handled like that.
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RocktheCasbah
London, GB
Truth, justice and the Arsenal way
7 Comments · Add yours
I'm really looking forward to seeing Rosicky playing for us again if he can get into the team.
after seeing arsenal.com i was a bit confused bcoz last season espn or star broadcasted around 32 of the 38 matches live here in india.......the no. seems 2 hav gone down a bit....can anyone tell me how thts suppose 2 happen or if it is a confirmation of only matches that have chances of 100% being broadcasted
The Gazidis effect has certainly been impressive in getting so many players tied down. I think those five mentioned, and I'm sure there were a few more leading up to and at the beginning of the summer, are key in the clubs future. It'll be all the more impressive if he brings in a midfielder before the window shuts.
He might even rival another great CEO, Stringer Bell, at the head of my most favouritest, to use Del Boy speak, CEO list.
I'd love to see Rosicky back. I think that although individually he may not be the best player around, the work he does for the team is outstanding for an attacking player. Hopefully the extended lay off has done both him and Eduardo the world of good and they remain free from niggly injuries because of it.
Reply to akshat17:
Outside of the UK the majority of games can be seen live. The games on Arsenal.com are the ones that can be seen in the UK. There are differenr TV deals in most other countries.
You hate Van Persie (AM) and now you are singing his praises?
"Hate"?
No, I don't hate him, I just question whether his importance to us is somewhat overstated and overrated.
My point here, though, is that (whatever I think of him) van Perse is a highly regarded footballer, he is also one of the squad members that could be said to genuinely care for the club. So, his declaring an intention to leave might have had strong repercussions relating to players at the club wanting to leave, and players we are looking to recruit. In contrast, him staying sends out a good, strong message.
Reply to RocktheCasbah:
I'm with you. I'm not sure of where exactly he fits in to the team despite his obvious talent.