Arsene Wengers Biggest Discovery

[Braden]

Who do you think Wengers biggest Find was?
I guess most will say turning Henry into a Striker was his greatest move, but I think his signing of George Weah to Monaco was a truly brilliant discovery.

Anyone have any other opinions?

[George]

ye, i have to agree with ya on that one

[atlas]

Where do you start?

Yes, I have agree converting Henry into a striker and George Weah at Monaco, but I would also like to add Wenger plucking Vieria from AC Milan and turning him into one of the best midfielders in the world.

This year I seen Cesc Fabregas and he looks like being another one.

[kevin_kyle]

Although it wasnt a 'discovery' as such, i think stealing Sol Campbell from Tottenham for free was a brilliant move. He was the Spurs captain for goodness sake.
I can't believe that he wasnt killed, I can understand why any Tottenham fan would want him dead for being a murderous traitor...
And look what it brought Sol....Glory!!!! Never get that at Spurs...

[Leighmatt]

spurs are crap

[George]

spurs are not crap, they have some very talented players such as robbie keane and jermaine defoe. they are just in a crappy position

[kevin_kyle]

spurs are not crap, they have some very talented players such as robbie keane and jermaine defoe. they are just in a crappy position
They are crap.
They have been crap for ages. Always mediocre.
What amuses me is that they have the money to sign good players to climb up the table, but they never do.
It must be so frustrating for Spurs fans, always in the shadow of their glorious neighbours.

[Lucan]

It's an impressive list.



Let's just never mention his bringing Pascal Cygan to Highbury :mad:

[atlas]

Let's just never mention his bringing Pascal Cygan to Highbury :mad:

I have to agree with you there, Lucan!

[kevin_kyle]

Oh yeah. Cygan is the smelliest pile of steaming crap that Wenger ever discovered. It is shameful that he is Arsenal's number one cover defender.

[kevin_kyle]

Although this is a much smaller thing it still has a bit of intelligence in it.
When Wenger signed Lauren from Mallorca, he was primarily a right midfielder.
Wenger has converted him to a Right Back with good results.

[SouthFan]

Whilst I agree Wegner is one of the best if not the best at spotting cheapish talent and turning it into World Class talent, what has baffled me in recent times is the players he has offloaded.

Defensively he has let Upson (Birmingham), Volz (Fullham) and Tavlaridis (Lille, 2nd in the Championat, Tavlaridis is known as the rock) go.

He has never properly given Jermaine Pennant a chance to prove himself as a Gunner and now we see a youngster by the name of Thomas tearing it up for Charlton.

I guess its just a case of having too many good young players and having to unfortunately let them go so they can make careers for themselves elsewhere, however, how he can choose Cygan over Upson especially when Upson showed promise as a Gunner is beyond me.

My only explanation is the notion of the "French Connection".

Cheers Lads

[alastair]

Would Ashley Cole qualify as a player dicovered or of a wonderfull talent mouldered to a position which suits?

[kevin_kyle]

Upson has played much better at Birmingham.
Wenger probably let those players go because he didnt feel that they would fit.
Those players were at the club for a while and didnt break through.
Remember, Wenger saw these players every single day in training, and they have all became better players at other clubs while playing in the first teams.
Arsenal couldnt afford to give these players that much of a game because they were not of the required quality for the first team.
However, I agree that Wenger has overlooked Arsenal talent in favour of foreign, particularly french talent.

[SouthFan]

Upson has played much better at Birmingham.
Wenger probably let those players go because he didnt feel that they would fit.
Those players were at the club for a while and didnt break through.
Remember, Wenger saw these players every single day in training, and they have all became better players at other clubs while playing in the first teams.
Arsenal couldnt afford to give these players that much of a game because they were not of the required quality for the first team.
However, I agree that Wenger has overlooked Arsenal talent in favour of foreign, particularly french talent.


That is under the assumption that Arsene Wegner has the ability to get it 100% at all times.

In the case of Upson in particular he got it clearly wrong, Upson started from day 1 at Birmingham and got his England call up soon after, he was ready made.

Cheers Lads

[kevin_kyle]

Wenger would have let him go because he didn't feel that Upson was completely in his plans. Upson could have been begging for first team action....Upson would have been handy thogh, especially with Sol's proneness to injury...Cygan is so bad. But in most cases Wenger has been right, and that is something that his past record definitely confirms.

[SouthFan]

Wenger would have let him go because he didn't feel that Upson was completely in his plans. Upson could have been begging for first team action....Upson would have been handy thogh, especially with Sol's proneness to injury...Cygan is so bad. But in most cases Wenger has been right, and that is something that his past record definitely confirms.

Yeah but the point is, HE MADE A MISTAKE, i don't see how you cannot admit to this. And i'm pretty sure he was in his plans Upson just felt he was first team worthy, which he no doubt was and is.

The same goes with Volz, he would probably be playing now instead of Hoyte, as after leaving the Gunners he has go on to represent Germany.

I think its a pretty big mistake when you have two internationals of which you cannot recognise the talent or their ability to fit into your team plans (the rationale your putting forward). A more likely scenario is that the way he juggles his team of superstars, bringing more - unproven - players into the mix would hurt team morale. So unless he is absolutely forced to show his hand, i.e. giving Fabregas an extended run, he won't which has recently been to Arsenal's detriment.

Cheers Lads

[atlas]

Letting go of both Upson & Volz and persisting with Cygan was a mistake. I would not be surprised if let's Jermaine Pennant go as well.

[kevin_kyle]

Yeah he did make a mistake there.
It would have been hard for Upson and other youth players at Arsenal who have the quality to start at most Premiership clubs but cant break in to the Arsenal team, except maybe in an injury crisis.
Looks like Pennant is going to leave soon as well, which will be frustrating as he is a great player, as he showed last year in his stint at Leeds.

[atlas]

Yeah, Pennant was very impressive at Leeds last season. I think he will have to leave Arsenal to get first team football and given that he is still young maybe a move to another Premier League club, might put him in line for an England call up.

[james_j]

Just pulling Fredrik Ljungberg out of pretty much nowhere was a good find, probably not his best, Henry and Bergkamp would be the best

[Braden]

He has never properly given Jermaine Pennant a chance to prove himself as a Gunner

Wenger has been very patient with Pennant as he has talent but his off the pitch antics are purely unacceptable...his loan spells have been a result of his poor conduct...im positive if he had the right attitude he would currently be in the Arsenal starting XI.

Hopefully he can straighten up and fly right, as he must have been something if Wenger would pay 2 million pounds for him as a 15 year old :)

[james_j]

I totally agree, as a gunner supporter i feel a little annoyed at such a waste of money (not that it was at the time) but even more so i am annoyed at wasted talent, i hope he gets better, he has shown signs at birmingham he could regain that talent, it would just be great to watch

[Braden]

Exactly, its the worst thing when such a promising player decides to set his mind on other pursuits...distracting him from his footballing...
It happened with Kluivert...Hollands highest scoring international...now he cant even start for Newcastle...