Speaking on the BBC Radio Five Live Football Daily Podcast, Micah Richards has been discussing Arsenal’s tendency to buy young players.
The Gunners have splashed out almost £140m this summer, and they haven’t signed a single player over the age of 24.
While buying for the future can be a good strategy, when your club is in dire straits, you need experience and ready-made players, and that’s something Arsenal have been lacking.
Richards believes there are better signings out there for the Gunners, claiming that this strategy will cost Mikel Arteta his job.
What’s been said?
Richards was speaking about Arsenal’s recent signings.
“No disrespect, Ramsdale has had three relegations in his career. You have Sam Johnstone there at West Brom, I’m not trying to sell any player, but he’s ready-made now, and I think that would be a better signing for Arsenal. They’re signing for the future and it’s almost like they’ve conceded that it’s going to be difficult to get world-class players, so they’re getting young talent,” Richards said.
“Unfortunately, buying young talent is going to lose Arteta his job, because he’s not going to be able to do the business right now.”
Sad reality
Buying talented young players may work when you’re building a long-term project on FIFA or Football Manager, but in the real world, it’s a recipe for disaster.
Arsenal need quality through the door right now, or else they’re going to have another underwhelming season.
The longer Arsenal’s perils go on, the harder it will be for them to attract top talent, and if they fall far enough, it will be tough for them to retain their current stars.
The Gunners need to change tack.
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