Admiration for Sagna; Silva exit a positive sign
Thursday, 10 July 08, 01:19 PM
I couldn't help but laugh yesterday upon reading some brutally honest quotes from Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna. When asked by a French newspaper if signing a new deal was proof of his long-term commitment to Arsenal, the Frenchman responded by exclaiming: "Not necessarily. In fact, it doesn’t mean anything." Before going on to say, "The proof is that most of the players leave even when they are under contract. The important thing is most of all to perform well. The rest is destiny. Everyone has his."
Arsenal fans need not worry, Sagna is fully committed to the club, for another year at least, but you have to admire his sincerity. I'm afraid we really have to get used to the fact that money is now the determining factor in whether a player is loyal to a football club or not. It's worth putting things in perspective, lavishly-paid footballers are a relatively select few when you consider just how many millions of people play football globally - even at amateur level. Top-flight players are the cream of the crop, and the cream of the crop get paid well whatever industry they perform in.
Perhaps what sets footballers apart from other high paid career earners is that their vocation could end in a split-second if they endure a severe injury - and even a severe loss of form can leave them at a lesser club on a lower salary struggling to pay what was once an affordable, yet massive mortgage.
That's why I don't necessarily believe it's greedy to leave a club purely for financial reasons - most of us would leave our jobs if
offered a decent wage hike, let alone double or treble our salaries - and as reasoned above footballers have to take what they can get when they get the chance. My only objection is when a
player spins a web of lies to manoeuvre a move - for me that lack of honesty and respect for not only their employers but supporters grates a lot more than their financial
opportunism.
Talking of departures, Gilberto Silva looks set to leave Arsenal football club fairly soon if he can agree terms with Greek club, Panathanaikos. Gilberto has been a good servant to the club for many seasons, but I won't pretend that I'm sorry to see him go. The 31-year-old did not respond well to being dropped in favour of Mathieu Flamini last season. And by respond well, I mean on the pitch - it was pretty evident for the first 6 months of the season at least that when given the chance he wasn't giving his all out there, his motivation having clearly subsided. The 4-0 FA Cup drubbing by Man Utd was the peak of it for me. Although he wasn't the only one to have a stinker that day I was really quite angered at times by the way he simply didn't bother tracking United midfielders as they made late runs into the box. That memory stayed with me and, along with his previous poor showings, somewhat sullied my opinion of him.
I certainly don't think it would have been, or could possibly be, of benefit reinstating Gilberto to his former midfield position in the
light of Flamini's departure. I would prefer Diaby or Denilson was given a chance or someone new brought in - that would be the ambitious move forward. However, if Gilberto does leave, I would
thank him for the good years he gave us as he was a very fine player for a couple of seasons.
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Premier League 2008/2009, 
Arsenal
why don't YOU buy a house and get a smaller one? they worked damn hard to get that big house and being at the top of their profession they are used to that lifestyle. they are no different to regular working folk - like doctors, lawyers, accountants, journalist and brokers - the money is there to be made if you want to work damn hard for it. are they all greedy fuckers too?
and be damned honest for once. gilberto was crap last season. if he is so good why the hell Wenger selling him?
I'd agree that you're assessment of Gilberto is a little harsh. Perhaps he was feeling a little sorry for himself, having missed out on the captaincy, which he must have thought was a definite, then he can't get back into the team as some guy that Birmingham wanted to sign was in his way. I've always thought that Gilberto was a very level headed sort of guy, who did the simple and unglamourous things during a game.
With Flamini gone and Gilberto on the way, I've a suspicion that Wenger might be bringing a holding midfield player in, as I don't think he'll thrust Diaby or Denilson straight into the team....I'm not convinced either of them has the ability to be playing in the heart of the team week in/week out.
Should be an interesting few days/weeks.
Good article.
I agree with most of what you say, although I also feel you're overly harsh on Gilberto.
I really hope we buy a replacement for Flamini tho', because it would be a step back reverting to Gilberto (if he doesn't leave), and I'm afraid that neither Diaby or Denilson are anywhere near good enough just yet.
Gilberto piece is spot on he isnt technically good enough or has the speed that u need in a dynamic arsenal midfield
Talk about not being able to affording a massive mortgage has made me feel a little ill. You're never going to make me feel sorry for footballers. Some earn what a part time nurse or carer earns in a year IN ONE DAY. Footballers for the most part are encouraged to think of money over everything else by their agents, who are out to make as much as they can too.
I Loved Gilberto, i think we'll be going out on a limb leaving DM to Diaby or Denilson, but both have great potential so let's do it, perhaps one of them will emerge as top class this season.
We need to remember three things:
1. No player is bigger than the club.
2. Players should be proud to wear the shirt.
3. If a player says he wants to leave, fuck him and get rid.
Most in history have NOT gone on to better things or to play better than at AFC.
Petit, Anelka, Vieira, Cole, now Hleb and posssibly Ade will further prove this to be true.
11 Comments
You're evaluation on Gilberto is totally wrong. He hasn't had enough playing time and he was rusty.
Gilberto is one the most professionally-behaved player to play for Arsenal during Arsene Wenger's time.
And a great captain who leads by example. So, please do not tarnish Gilberto's name.
Why is it that people try to liken footballers to regular working folk? It is like apples and oranges in most cases. Footballers make more in a year than most would make in a life time, so there is really no comparison. There are other people who make much less who could possibly die at any moment, much less be injured (Police Officer, Construction worker, even a teacher in todays world). We must understand that these guys are living dreams that most would want, play a sport you love and get paid rather handsomely. How many other jobs sign contracts, I ask you, and who is it that agrees and signs said contract, unless there are guns involved. Also do not believe every player chases money at every turn, I do not believe that is true, though most do. It is a greed filled, corrupt sport and should not be looked at in any other way. Talking about security and all that is a load of garbage as they make enough to take care of themselves. Annoying! If the mortgagae becomes too much, they can sell the house and buy a smaller one! Come on, we all live a life were anything can happen but the majority will have to work past 60 in order to enjjoy retirement, that is if we will be able to save enough. how you justify this is beyond me. They can chase mammon if they want but their should be no trying to justify it.
I agree with Duck, especially as Gilberto played quite well at the closing of the seaosn