Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has reassured fans that there is money to spend this summer, but insists that the club will live within its means.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, Gazidis said, “We do have money we can spend. We want to be winners. We want to be trophy winners.
“There’s a relentless focus on doing things we need to do to achieve that, but we also have to do them within the bounds of a sensible football club”.
Gazidis also refused to be drawn the club’s intentions in the transfer market, saying that was the job of Arsene Wenger.
“We don’t conduct our business in public. I don’t intend to put my voice into the mix. Arsene has been very clear and explicit on all of those subjects. I’ll leave the voice of Arsenal to be his.”
While doubts still remain over the futures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, Charlton youngster Carl Jenkinson has been the only official signing of the summer so far. Ivory Coast striker Gervinho is expected to join today however, and Arsenal are reportedly close to a deal for Costa Rican youngster Joel Campbell.
: Gazidis on transfers (via YankeeGunner)
You missed the bit where he said we don’t have any “holes to fill”.
He told Sky:
“”The challenge for us is a little bit different than some of the other clubs, we don’t have positions where players are coming to the end of their careers and positions where there are holes.”
Yes we bloody well do, Ivan, it’s called the back four!
Would you expect him to say “Our squad is full of holes, especially in defence. In all honesty we are completely shit and we really really want to sell Squillaci now.” What does that do for your bargaining position in bringing players in and selling them? The club are not stupid, they know the issues that need to be resolved.
Backing up my thoughts that Gazidis is full of shit as well.
What does he do exactly? Nothing from where I’m sitting.
Actually I agree with Gazidis – there are no obvious holes – the hole we all noticed in the back 4 has actually been filled by the return of Thomas Vermaelen.
Noone I have seen reported as a possible back 4 signing – Cahill, Samba – are better than what we already have at the club.
I agree with that. They are better than Squillaci, who isn’t a starter, barring injury. Having said that…
Our playing squad may have no holes, but I don’t see it being bettered by the departure of Clichy and the addition of Gervinho, who may not crack the starting XI, at least initially.
Oh he will…. Arshavin’s days are numbered. Gervinho will hit the floor running. I’ve seen him play and he’s awesome. Walcott and Gervinho behind Van Persie will have defenders bricking it.
Gazidis is good for this club and I wish everyone else could see that or at stop attacking him. Much better than cunt Dein
Arsene Wenger is also “Dave Gooner”
Westcodes, it is all very well saying ‘sign defenders’ over and over – but they have to be good enough, and they have to be available..
Cahill and Samba will add precisely nothing to AFC in terms of quality, only in terms of numbers.
Unless you know better? And I mean specificallly. Names. Available names.
Im with Dave Gooner but that was very funny lool
When Gazides says wholes he means no players in that position such as manure who lost scholes Neville etc that created wholes to be filled. We are still trying to get rid of ceap to create wholes.
It’s hard to argue with that
Squillaci is an A hole
You cant tell me we cannot find a better backup cb than him. He looked all over the place against the mighty greentown as did Johan but at least he has youth on his side . Squillaci will only get worse
Djourou is a good player. All of our centre backs look bad when partnered with Squillaci. Djourou loks very good when partnered with TV5 or Kocielny.
Squillaci is the problem, but I do not think Arsene can get rid of him easily as he only signed last year.
In fact, I would much prefer to see Kyle Bartley play if we have injuries than Squillaci.
Id prefer Bartley or Miguel rather than Squillaci
No pace bad positioning, bullied around by the premier leagues physical strikers…. his good points …..experience?? Experieced like Sylvestre !
Djourou ain’t bad after big improvment last season!Experience is what we need but don’t think Cahill or Samba are the answer,look how many goals their clubs shipped last season! I know it’s not down to them only but if you’re looking for them to come in and sort our dodgy defence???wonder how many conceded goals for their respective clubs were from open play/set?
I think Squilvestre gets a bit of a raw deal, he has just had his first season in a tough league surrounded by players who are scared of their own shadow.
If he played next to Vermalen he’d probably be better…
…probably.
I don’t buy that for a second. There is no getting away from the fact that he was shit last season. Fact. Koscielney was too when partnered with Squillaci. He doesn’t close down which causes panic and overlaping which leaves space. Combine that with Clichy sleeping on the left and Koscielney is made to look like a headless chicken.
“He doesn’t close down which causes panic and overlaping….” – I’m referring to Squillaci there.