Nick Webster / Fox Soccer Channel
Posted: 6 hours ago
Players are constantly betting that they can force opponents into mistakes, create timely interceptions or make storming 60-yard runs to get on the end of crosses while leaving space behind them.
On the downside there is the knowledge that if they're wrong, they can leave the team open to be scored against. But with matches lasting ninety minutes, bets lost early on can be recouped at a later stage.
Gambling off the pitch is an entirely different proposition and Arsenal Football Club is currently making the two biggest wagers in their 120-year history — and they can't afford to lose.
The first roll of the dice is Emirates Stadium. A fitting venue for one of the most forward-thinking clubs in the world but it comes at a big, big price. The Ashburton Grove project has cost the North Londoners somewhere in the region of $730 million. Simple economics dictate that it needs to be bursting at the seams every other weekend for the Premiership as well as enjoying deep long runs in cup competitions, particularly the lucrative Champions League.
In the Arsene Wenger era over the last decade, the team has become used to incredible success. But unless that continues, empty seats will become a reality, as a fickle public will want to support winners...not losers! The financial pressure is intense and many a club in the past has buckled, plummeting to the depths of painful, suffocating debt.
The question is...can this team of kids assembled by the Frenchman become instant winners?
Aside from a stirring run in the Champions League and the surprising development of some of these youngsters, last season was undoubtedly a disappointment as they squeaked fourth place in the Premiership on the final day of the season. When you consider the fact that the EPL is generally considered to be the toughest learning environment in the world, it's hard to see how the Gunners can expect to compete on a week-to-week basis.
Seven of the players who appeared on Saturday in the shock yet not completely unexpected loss to Manchester City were 23-years-old or younger. With a combined 122 EPL starts between Cesc Fabregas (56), Robin van Persie (26), Emmanuel Eboue (13), Emmanuel Adebayor (13), Johan Djourou (8), Justin Hoyte (6) and Theo Walcott (0), it would take a very brave punter to throw down some cash on them winning anything for at least two seasons. Obviously Wenger is betting that his youngsters can mature in the course of the campaign, much like Sir Alex Ferguson and his fledglings did way back in 1996 when Manchester United won the title.
Die-hard supporters will also claim that once the defensive injury crisis that currently bedevils the side becomes a distant memory, all this frailty nonsense will disappear. However, other than Lauren (152), inexperience defines the Arsenal back line as crocked Philippe Senderos (31), Gael Clichy (19) and Abou Diaby (9) have only 59 starts combined. This is why I believe the second roll of the dice by the Gunners will have season-lasting ramifications.
The Ashley Cole saga is now in its ninth month and it has become a 'must-win' situation for the Arsenal board. The poker they are playing with Chelsea over the valuation of the England international is reaching critical status and with the transfer window about to close, funds are desperately needed to buy a top quality defender.
Supposedly, the Gunners want close to $50 million for their left back — in all honesty an extraordinary amount of money for a defender. The Blues — despite their riches — are equally determined not to be taken to the cleaners and appear to hold the ace in that they do not need Cole after signing the versatile Dutch international Khalid Boulahrouz as well as enjoying the benefits of a fit-again Wayne Bridge. There is a wild card in all this wheeling and dealing though and that is William Gallas.
The Frenchman has fallen foul with Jose Mourinho and it seems his Stamford Bridge career is coming to a close. It is imperative for Wenger and Arsenal to make a deal and bring the vastly experienced 29-year-old Gallas to North London, while sending Cole to West London with a somewhat reduced fee.
A central partnership of Kolo Toure and Gallas is a sturdy proposition and with a few extra million lying around, the Professor can make his usual foray into the European transfer market and make the usual adept signings of virtual unknowns.
Whatever the outcome, Wenger and Arsenal are gambling for today in the hope of a big payout tomorrow. It's Vegas, North London style!
Even as a die-hard gunner, I can't disagree with this post. Arsenal seems too young to seriously compete for any silverware, especially in this Chelsea era.
Hey Wadadli, Im a big Atletico Madrid Fan, what have you heard about Reyes leaving the Gunners, is it official yet? Cause Ive been reading that Atletico is very interested in him.
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Arsenal gambling with its future
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