Unlike most people here (seemingly) i don't think Wenger is a stupid man or has "lost it". I think he knows full well where the team needs improving and wants to invest money in the first team. So why hasn't he?
One possibility, as Arseblog passingly mentioned today, is that Kroenke is an asset stripper who has pocketed the Cesc/Nasri money, forcing Wenger to shop around for cheap options and approach clubs who think he has more money to spend than he really does. Therefore placing him in an impossible situation.
This seems to make sense on a basic level; that we've been conned by Kroenke all along and he is now neglecting the club he has invested so much money into, but the major downside to this theory is that if all Kroenke wants to do is line his pockets why doesn't he sell up to Alisher Usmanov, who we know is mega rich and willing to spend what it takes to own this club? Could Kroenke have been intending all along to profit from Usmanov but, for whatever reason, now cannot?
We can blame Wenger's stubbornness for our inactivity in the transfer market but silent Stan could've forced his hand if he chose. I don't think this crisis is the result of Wenger being set in his ways though, that's too lazy an explanation to satisfy me.
In other words, what is going on??
Stan Kroenke
posted on 29/8/11
I fear for Vermaelen too as Barcelona are trying to strengthen their defense.
posted on 29/8/11
Umanov.... A convicted rapist. Drug dealer, fraudster...Is this the kind of person we want at our club? What the hell is David Dein doing getting involved with this low life piece of dog pooh..... .Oh, i forgot that five letter word called money
posted on 29/8/11
i'd rather usmanov in charge then the yank kroenke, americans are two faced backstabbing corporate hungry dogs who only worry about themselves
posted on 29/8/11
Stan Kronke is not bad as you expect. Read this:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1375746/Stan-Kroenke-Profile-Arsenals-new-owner.html
posted on 29/8/11
I've read some good things about Kroenke, swissramble did a good piece on him shortly after the takeover. But this is the first "franchise" he has owned overseas and his intentions remain unclear. Nobody can confidently say whether he will treat Arsenal with the same care he has his other teams or whether Arsenal is nothing but collateral at best
posted on 29/8/11
Alot of talk in america is his first loves are his teams there then us, he also for some reason cannot afford to do things with the club st louis rams hence the speculation that he is going to sell up his stake in arsenal for a profit. The figures are reported he bought in at 12,500 or so a share an will sell for 15,000 a share!
posted on 29/8/11
Arsenal Fanboy
This is a rumour that I've heard too.
He wants to move them to LA and can only afford to do that once he's sold his stake in Arsenal.
That would help explain why he bought Bracewell-Smith's shares too.
posted on 29/8/11
He wants to move the St Louis Rams from Missouri to Los Angeles?
posted on 29/8/11
Gervi 5
Well, there are various rumours about it out there.
Here's one:
http://www.stlmag.com/Blogs/SLM-Daily/August-2011/Be-Afraid-St-Louis-Rams-Fans-The-Mogul-Pushing-For-an-NFL-Team-in-LA-is-Stan-Kroenkes-Partner/
posted on 29/8/11
Rams fans must be happy about that