The Conversation with Kotoanyane Sefali: Manchester United 8-2 Arsenal

Manchester United... 8
Arsenal... 2

Malome Thabiso

I saw the first half, the second no. I just heard the score-line. To be honest I was shocked. Even though I felt at halftime United were going to win, I wasn’t expecting 8-2. I don’t know what to say really. For years we have been accused of being haters and pessimists, criticising because we are hating on Arsenal... and then you get that Don McMahon guy who writes that quite shocking piece, the Arsenal Fire Sale (I’m sorry, I just can’t get over that).

Right now what I’m asking myself is if there is a serious financial problem at the Emirates. I’m really wondering. Perhaps this whole moving stadiums business has really knocked them more than we are being led to believe, maybe there are payments they have to or want to pay off quickly. I know that the club still paying off the move from Highbury to the Emirates.

The question I ask myself is whether the board or hierarchy at Arsenal are more interested, concerned, or feel it best to run a good financial boat. I.e. they don’t want to end up like Leeds. They want to break even, cut costs and eventually run a secure and breath-taking money machine (because they are making serious yearly profits, even though they still in debt).

Where to next?

If this is the case (i.e. there is a desperation finance-wise) then this would explain the transfer policy of the last four, five years which is singularly the greatest reason why Arsenal find themselves in this position, i.e. the apparent systematic culling of quality and high-paid players and frankly not even attempting to replace them at all. For instance, Chamakh, in no way shape or form, can be considered a replacement for Adebayor. He is simply the epitome of the Arsenal signing of the last four years – barely good enough to satisfy demand and, of course, the cheapest available option. Hence why i ask about the true financial situation at the Emirates. Is there something we don’t know?

The alternative to this train of thought of course is hard to countenanc... that Mr. Wenger simply hasn’t seen or worse has ignored the faults of his procedure over the past four, five years.

Honestly I don’t want to believe that Wenger is that stubborn or blind, it would beggar belief.

And I ask myself; why else would Wenger be kept at the club when the team is showing no sign of direction at all. Are Arsenal’s hands tied behind their backs? Do the board know that Wenger is the only manager that can work under the current conditions? That’s my food for thought for the day.

Carl Jenkinson stumbles his way to a red card

On a basic level the problems are clear to see. Quite simply these players are just wearing the Arsenal jersey. They don’t care. Or they don’t care enough. You can care, but then there are times when you have to go that extra mile, something which was required at Old Trafford on Sunday, and something these players seem quite frankly incapable of. There is a lack of heart and determination there. Look at Walcott. He’s a softie. Totally. You can’t go to war with such a player. Others like Jenkinson are simply not good enough to wear that Arsenal jersey, at all.

That’s why Fabregas left. That’s why Nasri left. Arsenal (and I’ve said this before) is full of guys who think they are better than they are. Show-ponies who have won nothing. They think they are cool. That’s why they all have fancy hairstyles and prance around the field. Please tell me why Djourou is still at Arsenal, he is a disaster... and this attitude seeps through the team. Its infectious, it is like a disease.

And it has become a cultural thing and the Arsenal players smell of it. The club smells of it. That’s why United know they can massacre Arsenal. That’s why teams nowadays always feel they have a chance against Arsenal. The recent culture of mediocrity at the club has left an indelible stench. It’s a disgrace.

And then you have clowns like McMahon... they are as far removed from reality as their manager. Life is not a fairytale. You have to recognise things, try improve, or get left behind.

In Arsene We Trust
"Who knew Nasri or Fabregas 4 years ago?"

Kotoanyane Sefali

I agree with you about the culture and character of the team. My primary thought was despite everything, – the sales, the suspensions, injuries and United’s good form – any respectable Arsenal side should not lose 8-2 to United, or anybody for that matter if they are serious. No 11 players should lose like that against their so-called rivals. Even if United lost Rooney, Nani, Young, Vidic and Ferdinand they would never lose 8-2 against Arsenal, Chelsea or even Barcelona! That’s a disgrace.

And about the finances, I have read quite a lot about them. From what I know it’s not an excuse. Yes, Arsenal cannot compete with City, United and Chelski in that regard, but they certainly are not as tied up as Wenger’s policy suggests. Maybe in the last six years Wenger couldn’t spend 50 million on a player and pay him 200k per week. But he could have spent 20, 25mil on a player and paid him a decent salary if he and the club wanted to, just as they gave Cesc that 110k per week contract a few years back, especially with proceeds from sales they’ve had.

Another goal for United...

I’ve seen the accounts and Arsenal are comfortably meeting their debt obligations. Also don’t forget that Arsenal are now owned by not one but two billionaires, one who was outspokenly willing to sponsor a transfer splurge… and the board reacted by kicking him off the board.

Talking bout the board, what power really do they have against Wenger who’s basically made the club?  Think of the American CEO who’s been there for a couple of years, what really can he say to Wenger who’s approaching two decades at the club? He has too much power. Much like Fergie at United.

Back to the previous point, the policy Arsenal has taken is Wenger’s policy, not necessarily the way Arsenal wanted things to be done. But although we are coming off the back of the worst defeat in Wenger’s and in a century, I have and continue to support the basis of the policy. I just believe the manger has stretched it too far and somewhere along the lineslost touch with reality, become too stubborn, tried to prove a point or lost the will to win.

Nasri... another Arsenal gem gone

What’s even more frustrating is even at times like this the boss is still haggling over pennies to sign people we critically need like Cahill! He had a chance to sign Mata, Ashley Young, Hazard, Samba (and honestly I think keep Nasri) early on in the transfer window, but he failed to it with all the penny pinching. None of those guys needed over 30 mil fees or 200k wages.

They just needed him to spend some decent money that he and the club have always insisted they have and will spend “if we find the right quality”. That backline people have been talking about of Vermaelen, Cahill, Samba and Sagna. That was a formidable and financially plausible option Wenger ignored. Another thing is even if we did sign guys like Mata, I still think he needs to sign men (or boys who care) like Ashley Young or Scott Parker (who looks to be going to Spurs) to add some character to the group.