What I Know About Arsenal Transfers

I’ve got no idea who Arsenal will sign this summer. I suspect that at this stage Arsene doesn’t have much of an idea either. I’m sure he has ideas about who he wants and people are talking, but nothing is ever 100 per cent sure until the contract is signed, no matter how many ITKs…

Usmanov Buys More Arsenal Shares

Every couple of weeks the Arsenal website gives an update on how many shares the major shareholders in the club have. They’re required to do this under Premier League rules. The rules are actually a bit vague, as they don’t say under what circumstances exactly changes must be reported, but Arsenal seem to take it…

Stupid Things About Football, No. 1: The Dugout.

Managers like to be beside the pitch because they can then be seen to be ‘managing’. Which translates in most cases as stalking the touchline – or as close as the technical area will let them get – and haranguing the fourth official, with perhaps some anguished gestures when one of their players, say Gervinho,…

What Has Alisher Usmanov Promised Arsenal?

Well, the previous (guest) post about Stan Kroenke stirred up some debate, leading among other things to me being accused on Twitter (not for the first time) of ‘having an agenda’ – whatever that actually means. I was told it means I’m anti-Kroenke. For the record, I have opinions on different things, and also some…

Is Arsene Wenger Underperforming Relative To Wage Spend?

I often see arguments like this on Twitter: “Arsene Wenger has done brilliantly to keep up with clubs who spend much more than Arsenal.” “What are you talking about? Our wage bill is massive. It’s nearly as big as Man Utd’s.” “Yes, but not quite as big, so obviously they’re ahead of us.” “They’re 20…