adminLONDON. — Arsenal’s defensive crisis is down to Arsene Wenger according to chairman Sir Chips Keswick, who says the manager has total control over all club transfers.
And on Thursday Wenger admitted he should have beefed-up his depleted rearguard in the summer, saying: “I agree we could have bought one more player, but we did not find one. We will try to rectify that, because we are a bit short with the injuries we have.”
At Thursday’s AGM the Arsenal board were asked why they had not brought in a replacement for Thomas Vermaelen, who left for Barcelona, and chairman Sir Chips admitted they take a back seat when it comes to running the playing side of the club.
“If Arsene has a plan we back it, if he doesn’t have a plan we keep quiet,” said Sir Chips.
“So don’t let’s be in a muddle about who calls the shots about football at Arsenal. It is not the chairman, it is not the fans, it is Mr Arsene Wenger.”
It is a remarkable admission that Wenger rules the roost at one of the country’s biggest clubs, with the board backing their manager fully and not willing to exert any influence over transfer strategy. — The Daily Express.
Online Reporter