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Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf
I know they supposedly have Chamakh on a pre-contract for next year, but with Van Persie injured they needed a target man up front. Bendtnar isn't it
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I'm not really sold on Chamakh, if Arsenal are going to get a target man they need a guy like Cole; a tank with some height. That being said, I use to be one of the biggest Bendtner haters and had no hope for him but I'm starting to see a glimmer of what Arsene might see in him. Aside from that one match were he missed a bajillion sitters, he's showing some improvement. Enough improvement? Not sure.
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Originally Posted by NBC
It is all about money there - as in not spending any. Wenger used to have more latitude with transfers, etc, before they built that new stadium. Now he's restricted to working within a fairly small cash pool.
Not that my opinion matters much, but I would like to see some sort of financial oversight mechanism within the FA that prevents clubs from accruing massive debt. Last time I heard anything MUFC has debts of £650 million. How will that ever get repaid? Does it matter if it is repaid? Do they just get another line of credit/loan to pay for the current one? Seems like a Northern Rock/Royal Bank of Scotland business model to me.
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I actually think that Wegner is starting to have the same latitude as before but two things are stopping him, the massive inflation seen in the transfer market and the quality of players available. Even if that was true, there are loads of promising young keepers out there and he could have made a bargain deal by now.
In regards to the financial oversight mechanism, you might be on to something. Just like a government the FA needs to prevent a market breakdown and the path many teams are heading down is completely unsustainable. All it takes is a couple of minor disasters or unexpected turns for clubs like United to turn into a Portsmouth.
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Originally Posted by NBC
Charlton have a decent shot at automatic promotion this year, failing that the playoff lottery. But you already know that.
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Actually being back in London and witnessing the operation of the club has made me ponder if promotion will even be a good thing (i.e. aside from the financial benefits). The continual lapses and psychological breakdowns will only lead to us getting battered in a higher division if something fundamental does not change.