Robbie savage

The concern for Arsenal being show by others is touching. Obviously come to the Arsenal board to witness intelligent conversation - shame they are not able to contribute

Re Robbie Savage. The guy is a complete tool who is incapable of making a sensible comment. He disagrees with whoever he is talking to and generally talks complete ****. Listening to him on 5 Live on Wednesday, I was almost embarrassed for the guy. I switched off in the end because I could not stand to listen to any more of his nasal whiney Welsh garbage. Told Martin Keown that Mertsacker was a poor signing because he "was rubbish at Madrid"

Unfortunately for all of us, Mr Savage is a mediocre ex-footballer and a worse pundit with a flappy gob and not much behind it.

In some ways he has a point - of course he does. No club could replace a player like Fabregas without spending that's only really affordable by 2 or 3 clubs in the PL. Nasri too, to a lesser extent.

As Arsenal FC aren't one of those it follows there would not be like for like replacements, therefore in some ways the team is 'lacking' over last season.

However, since most opinion in the punditry world last season was telling the club it had to get it's defence in order, and since this is exactly what the manager has done, it seems statements like this from Mr Savage merely serve to make him look an even bigger idiot in the eyes of many AFC supporters.

Look, arguing that we are weaker and are settling for panic buys because 'we wouldn't have swapped Arteta and Benayoun for Fabregas and Nasri at the start of the summer' is a very flawed argument.

These two aren't meant to be replacements for these players. The truth is, there simply isn't a like for like replacement for Fabregas, and if there was he would be well out of our price range. In fact the only midfielders who even come close to his creative ability are now his new team mates. We are in a period of transition, and Arteta in particular is a spot on signing by Wenger.

Cesc's true heirs to the Arsenal throne as it were, are located internally in Wilshere and Ramsey, but they aren't quite ready to fill that void just yet. By bringing in two proven, established creative premier league players Arsene will greatly enhance the two youngsters' development.

This is exactly what we've been crying out for Arsene to do for years, bring in experience for the 'kids' to learn from, and now people are criticising him.

Regarding this change of emphasis and how it can benefit teams, I give the example of Manchester United. When Ronaldo left, they 'replaced' him with Antonio Valecia. Obviously he was no where near as talented as the Portuguese superstar, but instead they focused their team around rooney, and whatever you may think about him as a player, it has certainly paid off.

I'm very happy with our acquisitions and think this bit of shrewd business will pay off greatly.

Thanks Christhegunner - saved me typing much the same thing

I amazed so many see things in their simple, black and white way - you're spot on.

With Savage and the Pie eater siding with one another you must be quaking in your boots. What the **** has it got to do with either of them?

These two aren't meant to be replacements for these players.
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That's exactly what they are.
As for the quality of Arteta, well Im sure Everton fans could put you straight on his lack of quality over the last couple of seasons, and the fact alone, at the age of 29, he hasnt represented his country, tells you all you need to now about the drop in standards, as regards the quality of player you have in your team currently.

"That's exactly what they are."

You should have read the rest of the post, you might just learn a thing or two.

I did read the rest of the post, which basicly contradicted its self.
Obviously unless you genetically cloned Fabregas, or Nasri, you could never truly replace them with the exact same player, with the exact same ability.
I said they were replacements for them, which is what they are.
Fabregas and Nasri left, Arteta and Benayoun arrived.
If Arteta and Benayoun were a goalkeeper, and full back, then yes, you could argue that they are not replacements for the two that left.
But they are not.
They are two players who play similar roles as the two you have sold.
Therefore, wait for it, that makes them replacements.
Not particularly great ones Ill admit, but replacements none the less.

Ah whatever - you're clearly far more clued up than I. No point arguing with such impeccable logic.