If you look at his pass completion rate, his excellent defensive records, and the fact that he is their captain, Barry could make the difference for a club with ambitions of breaking into the top four and reaping the rewards from the gold-mine of the Champions League. So why not just pay it?
United paid over the odds for Michael Carrick two seasons ago, but he made a difference and the club won the Premiership. What do you think that United fans remember? The fee paid, or the players lifting the trophy in May? £18 million is a lot to pay, and when you pay that much for a player, it will always be a gamble.
However, when it could make a lot of difference to Arsenal’s chances of winning a major trophy, why not take the gamble? Surely fans would prefer to see the manager take a gamble and fail, rather than hide behind the fact that it is a young side and their time will come.
To close, it would be appropriate to speak about Aaron Ramsey, who many believe will become a great player. What will help him, as I’m sure it will help many youngsters, is the ruling to allow Premier League clubs to field seven substitutes instead of just five in league matches.
When a manager has to name five substitutes, he has to name players who can do something to change a game if needed, five players who can suit any contingency plan that has to be made. Now with two extra subs, a player like Ramsey can come into a game when the club is in a comfortable position and gain valuable experience.
I’d be delighted to see Ramsey do this, and if he impresses then later in the season, he should start a few games. But to throw him or any of Arsenal’s young midfielders into the team now may be a gamble that won’t pay off. Why do it when there is no need to gamble? Let’s hope that Wenger gets his chequebook out!
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