Former Arsenal striker and legend Ian Wright has hit out at the Gunners tame approach in the transfer window, and accused them of being ‘Manchester City’s feeder club’ in a stinging attack. Full back Gael Clichy has already left the club for the Eastlands outfit, and the futures of Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas are also uncertain at the moment.
Writing in his column in The Sun, Wright said that Arsenal will fail to attract top players if the predicted exodus comes to pass and they will consequently struggle to compete with the top teams. He wasn’t as worried about Clichy’s departure, citing the development of Kieran Gibbs as a positive, but the murmurs on Nasri and Fabregas had him anxious.
He said-
“Gael Clichy’s move to Manchester City wouldn’t bother me much in normal circumstances as Kieran Gibbs is coming through nicely.
“But now it looks like Samir Nasri is set to join him.
“Since when did Arsenal become Manchester City’s feeder club?
“With Cesc Fabregas looking a goner to Barcelona too, it’s very, very sad to see. How on earth will Arsene Wenger attract any top players to Arsenal?
“It’s come to something when a player like Clichy feels Arsenal is not good enough for him anymore. He can see that Man City is going to be challenging for top trophies next season.
“Arsenal are being left behind. And the trouble is, when all the top-class players have gone, it becomes extremely difficult to lure other top players to your club.”
Wright, who scored 186 goals for Arsenal in a prolific career, said that Wenger was too rigid in his transfer policy of going for relatively unknown players instead of more established players. He stated that all Wenger needed was a little support, backing and shaking up from time to time; and advised Arsenal to go after players like Michael Essien, Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany if they were to move forward.
He said-
“Wenger has put his faith in picking up little gems from abroad, little-known players who he can nurture and develop.
“I’d love to see Wenger being given the same sort of transfer pot that the likes of Chelsea will get. The same backing Alex Ferguson enjoys at Manchester United.
“But I have my suspicions that he would still dither about, take too long to make up his mind and then plump for someone in France or Spain hardly any of us have ever heard of.
“Wenger is still the right man for the job but he needs proper backing and I do feel that sometimes he needs a good shaking.”
“What I’d like to see are some bullish signings,”
“Go out and chase the likes of Michael Essien. Get him back on top form and he’s a fabulous player.
“Then go for keeper Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany and get your own back on Manchester City.
“Make the rest of English football sit up and take notice for once – not just Arsenal fans who can see the lights going out on their club.”
This certainly seems like bleak reading for the average Arsenal fan. They would hope that the club comes out with some solid signings soon and silences their vocal critics, Wright included.