Former Arsenal captain Tony Adams is unimpressed with Arsene Wenger’s transfer policy. The ex-Gunner criticized the Arsenal manager’s selling of key players over the last few seasons – most recently allowing Robin van Persie to become the jewel in Sir Alex Ferguson’s crown at rivals Manchester United.
The Dutchman was swiftly followed by the Alex Song, lured to Barcelona in a similar fashion to his teammate Cesc Fabregas who departed from the Emirates the previous summer.
"It sends out all the wrong messages for me, being a selling club,” said Adams, who won the title four times with Arsenal, along with three FA Cups and a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup.
"Piece by piece for seven years, it chips away at your credibility. Selling your best players is part of that.”
Arsenal have been labelled a ‘feeder club’ over recent years for selling their best players at the peak of their careers – most notably to Manchester City who currently contract four ex-Arsenal players in their first team squad, having moved on Emmanuel Adebayor to Tottenham just this summer.
City are also boosted by their Football Development Executive, ex-Arsenal legend and World Cup winner Patrick Vieira, a key member of their backroom staff.
Adams may have the perfect opportunity to test his theory as Arsenal travel to the Etihad on Sunday. Arsenal have started well this term, remaining unbeaten and holding the best goal difference record in the league so far. But doubts remain over the Gunners’ ability to seriously challenge the champions this season.
Arsene Wenger’s side have the perfect opportunity to silence their critics this weekend, but the City Blues have the depth and quality in their ranks, even aside from their ex-Arsenal talent-pool that they may be too strong for the Gunners to overcome.
A defeat in Manchester would surely only exacerbate concerns amongst the Arsenal faithful that their transfer policy is damaging. Arsene Wenger may find it hard to justify an eighth successive year without a trophy.
image: © wonkerq
Jenny Leigh
@backpagenewsmore stories from Jenny Leigh
Jennifer is a freelance writer and filmmaker from London with a great passion for football - the game, the business, and the culture. Jennifer hopes to provide readership with a high standard of news, analysis, and opinion over a range of football events, stories, and issues.
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