30 million to repair the damage
MARK BRUS
Sunday, 27 February 2005 12:16 PM
Arsčne Wenger has been handed a large transfer budget of over Ŗ30 million which, let's face it - he needs, to add to the squad this summer.
Wenger gambled last summer by only signing players for the future in Robin van Persie, Mathieu Flamini and Arturo Lupoli. By resting on his laurels from last season, the Frenchman has paid the price by losing various key players over the season, most notably Gilberto Silva and Sol Campbell which have, quite frankly, left Arsenal's defence in a mess.
The money will surely go towards a new goalkeeper as Jens Lehmann and Manuel Almunia have been nowhere near the required standard this season, despite an impressive 2003/04 campaign from the former.
More money will need to be spent on some defensive backup as there is no reliable backup to fill in when Campbell is out.
Managing director Keith Edelman recognises this need and would appear to be encouraging Wenger to add to the squad over the summer.
"The manager has more money than he's ever had before to spend on players, should he choose to do that," managing director Keith Edelman stated.
"He may decide he's got an outstanding squad and he doesn't need to spend, he may decide that he wants to spend. He has ample resources.
"Historically, it is true we did not have the wherewithal to pay the salaries we had to pay to retain our best players and keep enough cash flow to give the manager a reasonable transfer budget."
NAAR HET ANDERE FORUM!