Contracts are something of a false sense of security in football nowadays. A contract is supposed to be a legal document, which most often ties a player down to the club until its expiry. More often then not, a newly signed contract is a deterrence to interested clubs. It raises the price of said player and also ensures improved terms. Yet these documents are of decreasing influence as agents and advisers get involved.
Thiago Silva is a prime example of how little a contract actually means. He was on the verge of a move to newly rich PSG when Berlusconi stepped in and convinced him to sign a new 5 year deal with AC Milan. Fans rejoiced at the excellent news, only to be shocked and disappointed a few weeks later by the harsh reality that is football and more specifically the new money in football. Silva completed a lucrative move to Paris and Milan's other key player Ibrahimovic soon followed him out the door. Two of their most important players had left because of Milan's need to cut costs and PSG's extravagant bank account.
Now lets put this contract situation in Arsenal terms. In recent times Nasri left with a year left on his contract. This year Robin Van Persie and Theo Walcott both are in the same situation. Our captain has chosen to leave because of his acclaimed 'burning desire to win trophies' when really he just wants more money.
In my view, Arsenal were right not to award him a new contract before the start of last season. He had not proved anything and his injury record was something to be ashamed of. He then shocked everyone by starting 37 of Arsenal's 38 league games and almost single handedly guided us into 3rd place. During the course of the season, we tried to discuss new terms, but he said wanted to see where we finished. But he had already made up his mind. He was going to leave for bigger and supposedly better things.
The point is that he would've demanded to leave whether he had 4 years remaining on his contract or 1 year remaining. That is what we call player power. The only difference between the 2 situations is the fee, which would obviously be larger with the longer contract. You cannot make a player want to play for your club. Modric was an example last year. He had over 3 years remaining when he was offered the chance to leave and he tried his hardest to make that happen. He was forcing his way out and only defiance from Levy was enough to keep him. He is now on his way to Madrid. If a player does not want to be at your club, he is going to leave, sooner or later.
We should realise that the Van Persie situation is not all Arsenal's fault. If he had signed a new contract last year and then been out injured for half the season, fans would be angry at the board for it. We took a gamble and it payed off. He had his great season and now it is his choice. You may say that more ambition is required to make our best players stay, but wasn't the early signings of Giroud and Podolski good enough? Van Persie is leaving because of the same policy which made him the player he is today. We can never allow a player to dictate club policies and we can never allow a player to think he is bigger than the club. Just because a signing doesn't cost over 15mil doesn't mean it isn't a good signing.
Van Persie is leaving. I say good riddance. We are better off without him. He obviously doesn't love the club and has no respect for any of us fans, so why should we have any for him. Arsenal will carry on living long after he's gone, its clubs like Man City that won't be.
I don't know about 'good ridence.
ReplyDeleteHowever it is very sad that a player with is history of injuries and the patience he has recieved from Arsenal in particular Arsene decides he wants away because he feels the club doesn't meet hios expectations.
He might take time out and ask himself where was he when the Arsene, the team, the fans needed him?
Not on the pitch, the bench but on the injury seat for five six seasons.We did quite well with him but seemingly not good enough for him! Colario.
Yes, but we must get used to the fact that modern day footballers do not think about anyone except themselves. Gone are the days of a 'one club man'. I thought Van Persie might have been one of those players but its not to be.
DeleteI will continue to love every footballer that plays with passion for Arsenal FC and those who are proud to wear our jersey, no matter how average those players might be.
Re above that should read "We did quite well with out him but seemingly not good enough." aplogies for mistake
ReplyDeleteEvery season it's the same thing, our stars want to leave to win something and the fans turn on them and downplay their importance like jealous exes despite near idolization before. It gets blamed on them being greedy and they are told good riddance, then we continue to not win anything despite now having lost enough quality players in the last few years to make a title-contending team. At what point do we look in the mirror and acknowledge that it's not all of them, it's us that is the problem?
ReplyDeleteFair enough. But was Nasri really that important? He had 3 good months, and when the going got tough, he often disappeared. Fabregas is a world class talent and he is a huge miss, but we cannot overplay the importance of individual players. Its a team that must win trophies. That is why players like Van Persie and Nasri will never be important, because they aren't team players. They only do something to suit themselves and when life is good and they enjoy some form they leave us out to dry. I don't appreciate that and neither should any fan. I agree Arsenal should do more to re-sign players, but if a player doesn't want to, you cannot force him. And I am completely against changing a club policy to suit their needs. Remember who the club is and remember who brought them through in the first place.
Delete