Money talks..Club as big as arsenal should have made a better offer. They are a massive club and paid a shit load of money to have henry stay for just 1 season b4 his departure to barcelona. Arsenal is just a stingy. Good business would have been to give him what he wants and then sell him two seasons from now instead of letting him go on a free transfer.

David, it’s simple to why the wage structure is as it is. Rio Ferdinand is funded by a club where the responsibiity of debt is not shouldered by the club. As we are burdened with the debt of the new stadium, we have to be more proactive with our funds. Flamini was signed as a young player for £20k a week. It’s silly to give a 23 year old a £100k pay rise. Additionally, I don’t think we can compare Newcastle’s silly pay structure with us, they’re crazy with money!

It still begs for answer why a club like arsenal would not rearrange a better pay structure for a guy of flamini’s stature. Just 60k a week, when someone like rio ferdinand is getting double of that and oba of newcastle is trying to pen down 90k a week. This club is completely sick. Its unbelievable.

< ![CDATA[It's going to be an interesting summer, I actually think Denilson is being primed for this role long term. Again, a more attacking player, but his work rate is up there with the Flamster. His passing & shooting are also highly regarded and he does have a defensive head on him too.

Like Diaby, his / our main problem would be his fitness...]]>

< ![CDATA[Flamini has definitely been a plus point this season, but you're right to question his influence. We have lacked defensively this season, where Gilberto is more prone. We have done well offensively where Flamini is more prone.

Let's see what Wenger has in store!!!]]>

< ![CDATA[Flamini isn't as great as everyone thinks. He's lack of heading ability has been an issue. He is better in some games than Gilberto as his pace & workrate & passing accuracy are better, but a player like Hargreaves has both the positional, heading and passing.

Who will replace Flamini? I don't think Diarra was good enough. Diaby is really the player who has it all, but lacks consistency.]]>

Good point re Diarra. He was a quality player. I think Arsene won’t let Gilberto leave now, maybe he’ll get back into the first team. We have a youth player called Jay Emmanuel Thomas who looks every bit the DM. In addition, Diaby was brought in to play there, the only trouble is him keeping fit!

I always thought he wouldn’t sign. Looks like we shouldn’t have sold Diarra… that could have been the worst decision ever, he would have really helped us this season and next…!!!!