As the transfer window quickly approaches I'm starting to feel some of the emotions that come with it start to stir. There's the excitement of who might join my beloved Gunners. Seeing who might be the big names to move. Finding out which of the many rumours that get spread are complete b.s. As well as the overall feelings of betrayal that come from seeing players either ask to leave a club you love or get sold regardless and have to move on to become endeared in the hearts of supporters of another club. All of which will be drawn out as long and painfully as possible in as annoying a way as possible.
Unfortunately for the month leading into it and the month the window is open we're gonna have to hear about how every player in the world has been linked with another club no matter how ridiculous the move may be. And we just have to sit in front of our tvs and computers rolling our eyes at the absurdity of Ronaldo’s move to Crystal Palace as they try to win the Carling Cup and stay in contention for future trophies or whatever retarded story some moron with an outlet feels like "reporting" simply because some asshole at the bar heard about it from a friend who knows a guy whose cousin heard it from a neighbor that cleans toilets at the stadium. Its mind boggling all the crap that gets spewed from news sources when there’s no evidence to back any of it up. So far I can honestly say Arsenal alone has been linked to half the players in the world and I can't say I believe any of it. If the rumours were actually true we would have a completely different squad the second half of the season than we do now. And why should I believe any of it? How many players will actually move? Very few in all reality especially in comparison to the number who are currently linked to moves.
And I can’t help but wonder how much is played out behind the scenes by the players themselves in search of the supposed greener pasture and more of the almighty dollar? Can we trust these men to repay the love and support we show them week after week? How many players have agents or people close to them in their ear telling them there's better out there and they deserve more? And how much of this semi-annual debacle is created by the worst of the worst, the players agents themselves in an attempt to pad their own bank accounts at the expense of clubs and supporters alike? After all, when a footballer moves, the ripple in the water is felt by all, not just the few involved. Greed seems to have taken charge during these transfer windows more than bettering squads or making the game better. I do realize sometimes its in the best interest of everyone to cut ties and move on or to make moves to strengthen a side but to what extent is this good for the game?
For me personally the transfer window always brings up questions of loyalty and begs the question, where has it all gone and why does there seem to be so little of it in today’s game? I know from the fans perspective we criticize everyone’s performance after every match and always wanna see the club we love win but at the end of the day we support and love our players like they were brothers or close associates. When they thrive we thrive. When they hit a rough patch we support and can't wait for them to perform at the level we know them to be capable of. Seeing one go down to injury seems to hurt us all and we can't wait to see them on the pitch again. So why then is it asking so much to get the same in return?
For example, when Clichy left to be apart of a team that should feel no pride in any sort of victory this past summer, it was the kind of transfer you like to see. The man had spent years at The Arsenal, is getting up there in age, and was making enough errors and causing goals to where the change of scenery was the appropriate move. He wasn’t leaving for the payday. His current club at the time was definitely better off giving someone else a chance, he was gracious in his departure, and left on terms that didn’t leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth. Other than maybe the club he chose to go to. Both teams in the end feel stronger due to the move and fans on both sides can be happy at the same time. This is the kind of transfer I like seeing.
But when it came down to the move of another Arsenal footballer to exactly the same squad, things were completely different. $amir Na$ri left for the bigger payday. He can say he left for glory, but what glory is there in joining a team that is comprised of nothing but paid mercenaries? No homegrown talent whatsoever. Where is the pride and glory in being apart of the team with the highest price-tag in history? More shame than anything if they prove incapable of winning multiple trophies every year. Na$ri was offered a very nice wage to stay and return the loyalty to the club that recognized his potential at a young age. They were also willing to teach him to be a world class player and even deal with runs of poor form in the process. Only for him to turn his back on the ones who showed him respect for the bigger payday. Arsenal received a hefty sum in exchange for his services which would’ve taken a bit of the sting out of the whole betrayal had he not then went and talked shit about his former club’s supporters. Na$ri had the nerve to claim Arsenal had no pride since leaving Highbury and that City supporters were way more passionate. I call bullshit. First of all what the fuck does he know about Highbury? I'd be surprised if he could even spell Highbury let alone comment on differences between one of the greatest, most history rich stadiums in the world, and the current attempt to make history at the Grove. He let greed become the deciding factor and let supporters down worldwide all while creating a hatred that will never be forgotten.
Even players like Cesc Fabregas don't repay loyalties shown themselves. I can honestly say I understand his reasons for wanting to leave but to allow the team that raised you, made you its captain, and supported you through multiple injuries to take a payment nowhere near what’s deserved is completely wrong. Seeing such a classy young man do this further hurts relationships between clubs and further tears the rift between fans and players
I don’t know the exact facts or stats but I have a hard time believing players from the eras when footballers weren't making ridiculous salaries would turn their backs on us that love them so easily. Even more recently, I could never imagine someone like Tony Adams even considering a move away regardless of the sum of money involved. Players like him had class and real pride and it’s sickening to think todays game is missing this. Players used to be honored to wear the crest on front of their strip instead of wondering where the next payday was coming from. I can't imagine a single fan wouldn't jump at the chance to play for their beloved club for just a place to sleep and a hot meal, let alone the chance to live comfortably. So why then is it too much to ask for a little of the same in return? Players like Jack Wilshere who promise to stay forever are few and far between. Men like Emmanual Frimpong who seem to love their clubs as much as its supporters, leave it all out on the pitch every opportunity , and are willing to actually allow the developmental process to take place and earn playing time are becoming harder to find when all we as fans want to see is more of these types of players. I'm sure every club has a couple of these guys but they seem to be a rarity these days and it begs the question, how much are we as fans supposed to endure before we don't feel the same connection to the men on the pitch? And when the connection is gone where is the fun in supporting a club and wearing its colors
