Written by Wenger Boy on Monday, 18 July 2011 15:18

I was in the US recently and had a conversation with my uncle about the benefits of the internet. My uncle, I must point out, is an old school, right wing, all-American hero sort of guy – hunting, flag waving, etc – and he suggested that the ‘innernet’ has actually hindered rather than helped his work, owing to time spent reviewing the exponential volume of information available.

His simple answer to the conundrum: “I think we should just get rid of the internet.”

Yup, sounds feasible to me too.

Obviously in this particular debate I was on the side of the internet, but there are definitely situations where the negatives of releasing information outweigh the positives, and one of these may lie very close to home indeed.

For some time I have wondered about the effect that the rapid spread of information - through News Now, blogs and especially Twitter – may have or have had on potential transfers into the club. As fans we demand to know as many details as possible as early as possible so that we can keep on top of the news, but can this unquenchable desire, and subsequent fulfilment of, ever hindered our attempts to bring players in?

This had all already crossed my mind before the news broke of a potential deal for striker Joel Campbell over the weekend. But almost as soon as it had broken the deal itself appeared break down as reports emerged that another EPL club had come in with another, ‘more economically' interesting offer.

Now here was a situation in which Arsenal had moved for a relative unknown, already agreed a fee and looked set to complete until, at the eleventh hour, another Premier League club put in an offer. This deal had not been plastered all over the papers, in fact it had barely been mentioned, and yet another club seemed to know that if they left it any later they would miss out on this talented youngster. But how?

Now there are countless explanations for this and I’m not claiming to know the truth, but one might be that all the blogs and Twitterers typing furiously away about this unearthed gem may just have alerted another club to his a) talent, b) availability and c) soon-to-be unavailability.

This phenomnenon, if real, affects our club more than others for a number of reasons:

1) We have a superior scouting network which other clubs will look to utilise at every opportunity
2) We are trying to buy the best talent available
3) We cannot compete financially with many of our rivals

The cumulative effect of all this is that other teams will be very much on the lookout for deals we are interested in since they know they may well be able to outmuscle us financially and steal a real talent from under our noses. I cannot claim to know anything more than most of you but there has to be at least some chance that whoever bid for Joel Campbell did so only because they knew that clued-up little peasants Arsenal had done so already.

Then I saw this tweet from @Gunnerblog, who, bear in mind, was one of the first to break this story:

“So 'Joel Campbell' is trending. Oh dear. It's only going to alert other clubs and make it harder for us to sign him.”

What’s interesting about this situation to me is that we have the very person who told the Arsenal world about the transfer then worrying about the effects of this information getting out.

I’m not in any way trying to disrespect or discredit Gilberto Silver for his great work in bringing the information to us to begin with. Not at all. We all wanted to know and he told us. Fair enough. But it does show that perhaps we cannot have it both ways - we cannot expect sensitive, inside information to be released to us on the web and at the same time expect that this information will not, at some point, end up in the wrong hands.

The internet is not restricted to fans of our own club and that is something we should make a point of remembering, even if it does not, and perhaps should not, affect our practices.

You may doubt that your words have the power to influence the outcome of transfers negotiated a thousand miles away, and that is entirely up to you. I however have my suspicions that we might just have a bigger say in the fortunes of Arsenal FC than many fans care to believe.

WB
@WengerBoy1

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Comments (36)

• 18-Jul-2011 15:55 | | anto
  

  if my auntie had balls shed be my uncle

• 18-Jul-2011 15:59 | | Toby  - I do believe internet affects our transfers
  

  Not many clubs has got as good scouting network as we do.
  They keep tabs on what comes out of the reports about our scouting and when its reported to "get hot" they take a closer view and sometimes they act. They would be stupid if they didn't keep tabs and our own blogs are surely helping them!

• 18-Jul-2011 16:08 | | Gerry Lennon  - Agree with the sentiments, but its out there?
  

  I have tried to combat this by pointing out that too many people believe what tjhey read, and comment accordingly.
  However, the reality is that this transfer window is a game played by all parties, mostly to gain advantage for their own ends.
  
  Ultimately Joe Bloggs in the street, who buys his season ticket, claims loyalty to his team, yet wants comment on everything as though it were true. Apart from generating even more media interest, it is something he cannot control.
  
  Publishing lists of players they would like to buy will, if enough follow suit, push up the price as the selling club thinks there is greater demand?
  
  I have an interest in who is bought and sold, but I will wait until September 1st before making a judgment on the probable success or failure, and hope to be surprised as the season unfolds.
  
  Am I missing the point of these blogs?

• 18-Jul-2011 16:10 | | Passenal
  

  Just the same way our blogs are feeding the negativity around the club and therefore not helping player acquisition, retention or top performance. I've lost count of the times I've seen media articles directly lifted from the content of the most negative blog comments and 'slogans'. Bad news sells and that is the angle that the media have been pushing about our club. Aside from the fact that half the commenters on Arsenal blogs are not supporters, but fans of our rival clubs on a wind up. It's obvious, yet still there are plenty of our supporters who are dumb enough not to realise the impact of joining in with the dissing of something they claim to love.

• 18-Jul-2011 16:18 | | Steve
  

  Wenger Boy,
  
  I couldn't agree more. Like you, I was impressed with Gunnerblog's scoop, but I immeduately thought it could engender competition. Uppermost in my mind was Citeh, who don't need the guy, but could effortlessly double our offer just to keep him away from the Grove. Or Chelsea. But it could just as easily be a Newcastle or Blackburn who, having seen the estimated price, decided they could up it.
  
  It's actually all horrible, what with dozens of papers and web sites dictating what the ignorant, vocal minority are thinking. In Arsene we rust? Go to hell. I'm almost ashamed to be an Arsenal fan when I read these ignoranuses.

• 18-Jul-2011 16:33 | | Phil C  - Too much mouthing off.
  

  I quite agree with you WB. All these bloggers and Twits serve no useful purpose other than to feed their own egos by pretending to have "inside information" Look no further the Ricky Alvarez to show the potential downside.

• 18-Jul-2011 16:53 | | geezypeas  - undoubtedly
  

  for sure the internet is having an impact on signing players. Ive been saying for years. Not just that but it can and has also had an impact on the relationship and long term futures of current players too.

• 18-Jul-2011 17:00 | | matlee  - maybe maybe not
  

  many fans appear to be like impatient children and many want to choose the outgoing and incoming transfers themselves. in the past we used to wait and see! in the hope our manager would do us and the club justice. todays society wants, deserves, expects, is entitled and demands that their individual desires are met.
  the internet by its very nature has changed the landscape surrounding transfer dealings and i agree that sometimes it may have a negative effect in regard to the private and low key way Arsenal have been used to conducting their business. however as with any negativity some positivity is sure to emerge.
  if we are close to a deal which is then derailed by an offer of a few more pieces of silver then that would indicate the said players motivational priority of money. in this situation you could take the view that the internet could reveal mercenary types such as Tevez and save us from future difficulties. in reverse we are more likely to sign players who are content with reasonable wages and who have considered factors other than money for joining our club. we also dont have to worry too much as there will only ever be a few dominent clubs and they can only have 25 players of which 14 wont be totally happy at not being part of the 1st eleven.
  the overall effect of the internet on transfers is yet to be revealed and so we shall have to wait and see!

• 18-Jul-2011 17:12 | | Vuja De
  

  I agree with Passenal.

• 18-Jul-2011 17:32 | | MeanLean
  

  We are very much living in an 'innernet' society where news is instant, communication is quicker than its ever been before. With Twitter now massive, news gets around faster than ever before.
  
  All these reasons are making Arsenal's life that much more difficult when it comes to doing transfer business discreetly. I am sure blog's, twitter etc does not help but I think there is a bigger problem.
  
  Thanks to the likes of Chelsea, clubs have realised that Arsenal have one of the best scouting systems in the world, it has taken us an age to get to where we are and clubs like Chelsea with no history cannot match that so they are skipping the middle man and moving in on our targets, following our scouts and throwing cash on the table.
  
  Another big problem is agents. Our name is almost always brought up when an agent is trying to negotiate a new contract for his client or if we are actually trying to buy a player then Mr 20% probably has a speed dial to the likes of Man Shitty, Chelsea etc so they can get their wages pushed up and give the agent a tastier slice.
  
  I would actually say that these issues are larger than breaking stories in blog's, although I can see how that could alert those who haven't already cottoned onto our movements.
  
  Does anyone know who the unnamed English club was? I suppose I kinda answered my own question there.

• 18-Jul-2011 17:34 | | MeanLean
  

  I want to know who was the Everton blogger that wrote about Henderson heading to Goodison park. Clever chap

• 18-Jul-2011 17:52 | | Wenger Boy
  

  I would agree that it is unlikely to be the biggest factor but the internet may well have an influence. Information spreads through the web a hell of a lot quicker than many give it credit for and if I wanted to keep tabs on the movements of other clubs I for one would use it.
  
  Wouldn't you if it was free, accessible and lightening fast?

• 18-Jul-2011 17:54 | | Wenger Boy
  

  That question wasn't directed at you ML 'twas more rhetorical. Just read that back and it seemed a bit like a challenge!

• 18-Jul-2011 18:14 | | matlee
  

  there is also hope for Arsenal in the fact of what we have seen recently with the supposed confirmed transfers of Cesc and Nasri to Barca and Utd recpectively. despite the continuous frenzied speculation has it had any effect on the reality of the situation? they still don't seem to be going anywhere and if anything it has shed light on the way the likes of Barca, Man City and indeed Arsenal conduct their business. with Arsenal apparently in line to sign every player on the market this invariably helps to disguise who we actually are interested in. so for all the clubs and people determined to create mischief there is a good chance there plans will at some point backfire.

• 18-Jul-2011 18:33 | | Desigunner
  

  This is an interesting thought but I think it tends to overestimate the ability of individuals and blogs while disrespecting the ability of agents and other clubs.
  
  Let's not forget Italian and Spanish clubs have been active in the South American markets for a long, long time. Alvarez, for instance, went to an Italian team and not an English one. I doubt it had anything to do with stories being leaked on blogs.
  
  Even in the case of Joel Campbell I read some reports that there was interest from Juventus, Dynamo Kiev and other continental clubs.
  
  His dad did talk about an unnamed English club but that link hasn't developed. So how big an issue has this been?
  
  Moreover, one would expect agents/fathers to look for better deals. These days they know clubs are willing to pay big amounts. If they follow the news they'd also know this can be used as a bargaining tool even if no other club has come forward. How hard would it be for an agent to call up the top clubs or their key transfer dealers just to ask them that Arsenal are interested, do you fancy a look?
  
  On the other hand, consider the Nasri transfer. That one dragged on for months. It was all over the news. If City, Chelsea, or United wanted to hijack that they could have done it before Arsenal signed him. None of them were interested. Part of the reason could be that Nasri wasn't as big an established name then as he is now. Same can be said about Gervinho or even Chamakh. Those links were in the news for months. There are clubs in England with far more financial muscle but they didn't hijack those deals. In the case of Ramsey, we got the player despite a strong offer from United. In the case of Jones we lost to United.
  
  In the long run some deals will work for us and others wont. I don't think the blogs, twitter, or internet in general is going to affect that in any significant manner. To think that it would seems like a way of inflating our own value (includes you, me, all the people with blogs and twitter).
  
  That's not to say that internet doesn't matter at all or that online contribution from various fans is useless. I completely relate to the thought process behind the post. But I feel that if we take a slightly broader view of the transfers, internet doesn't seem to be that big a deal.

• 18-Jul-2011 18:59 | | matlee  - @ Desigunner
  

  your post sums it up nicely. the internet has just expanded upon the smokescreens that already exist in transfer dealings.

• 18-Jul-2011 20:16 | | Wenger Boy
  

  I think that much of what you say is very fair but 'at the end of the day' (to cliche it up) it's all pure speculation without any hard evidence to back it up.
  
  I don't claim to know the truth about any of this but I think there is room to suggest that the internet has some part to play in spreading important information about the transfer process to those that would otherwise not have it. Even if it only alerts one person of influence out of the thousands that exist it has the potential to impact an Arsenal transfer in a negative way.
  
  Again it may have played no part at all and it may have played some but I definitely feel that the potential is there and its impact cannot be ruled out 100%. I think to say that my piece is 'disrespecting' the abilities of agents and clubs is a tad strong given that I make no claim to the internet's superior influence in these matters.
  
  To say this additional EPL club's bid had no impact may also be wide of the mark since it was reported earlier today by YoungGunsBlog, however accurately, that we had been forced to up our bid in light of the rival offer. Also limiting my article to a couple of transfers during this window ignores the fact that what I say applies to those dealings conducted in the future as well as to the here and now.
  
  Thank you for the well thought out response however, I am a fan of your work and I appreciate the time you took to read and reply.

• 18-Jul-2011 20:52 | | Stephen
  

  It's not the Internet - it's agents. If Arsenal come in for someone it's known the world over as "low bid". So the agent can use the telephone or any other means to contact other clubs to get counter bids. Since Arsene is renowned as a spotter of young talent the counter bids will be easy to get. This way competitors don't need a scouting system. So lower cost so higher bid. We're caught in a cleft stick due to previous success. No easy answer.

• 18-Jul-2011 21:42 | | Dave Highbury
  

  Listen... if you are a professional footballer, you know where the good football is at.

• 18-Jul-2011 21:59 | | Desigunner
  

  @Wenger Boy,
  
  I agree the impact cannot be ruled out 100%.
  
  Was my comment still too strong? I have had an issue in the past - comments tended to come across harsher than intended. These days I'm trying hard to reduce that. Apologies if you felt it was harsh.
  
  @matlee,
  
  Very interesting point about internet also working in favour of Arsenal. I would love to know what Wenger actually thinks about these things ... it's one of the many things I'm hoping we will be able to get insights on in his autobiography (if he writes one).

• 18-Jul-2011 22:54 | | matlee
  

  @ Desigunner, thanks
  
  i think Wenger takes it with a pinch of salt as he is closer to the truth than us fans who are left in the dark until an official statement is released. i would love to see an autobiography but i'm unsure if that will ever arrive although i have read a biography on Arsene that gives some insight into his thinking.
  do you know the question: if you could have 3 people to dinner from past and present who would you invite?
  
  mr Wenger would definately be the 1st name on my list, the other 2 i'd have to think hard. they would include the likes of Muhumad Ali, Les dawson and jesus, so its tough but i just couldn't leave Arsene out.
  i had to laugh at the Nasri situation and how he just killed it dead, no one see that coming! the man is priceless

• 18-Jul-2011 23:33 | | Desigunner
  

  @Matlee,
  
  Wenger would be on my list as well alongside Einstein who is another person I have immense respect for. I'll have to think a bit for the third name as there are many worthy individuals
  
  I believe a lot of his strength comes from his convictions that are based on excellent methods driven by unquestionable hard work and encyclopaedic knowledge. Such a person can, at times, come across as stubborn or arrogant but is likely to be right more often than he is wrong.
  
  @ML, Wenger Boy
  
  Sorry for hijacking this thread with a discussion not relevant to the post.

• 19-Jul-2011 00:06 | | matlee
  

  @ Wenger Boy Mean Lean,
  
  please accept my apology for my part in the hijack also

• 19-Jul-2011 06:59 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Please consider the hijack of this thread officially authorised. You both gave your time to read and comment on the initial subject so I see no problem with it.
  
  As you were.

• 19-Jul-2011 09:02 | | MeanLean
  

  This is exactly what the comment section is for. As long as it is thoughtful debate like above instead of mindless abuse then you are more than welcome and don't be a stranger.

• 19-Jul-2011 09:05 | | MeanLean
  

  That was showdown at dawn talk. Bring your pistol and long black coat!

• 19-Jul-2011 10:07 | | Den  - Great Sense
  

  A massive amount of sense from most of you. The internet has had an enormous effect not least on the relationship between supporters of the club we love and the negativity that's been created. If we can only turn that to positivity, patience and belief we will be doing our bit to bring success.
  
  One posting, one blog, one tweet etc at a time.

• 19-Jul-2011 10:10 | | Wenger Boy
  

  Test comment.

• 19-Jul-2011 10:16 | | MeanLean
  

  Check you out! ;-)

• 19-Jul-2011 11:30 | | matlee
  

  @ ML, WB
  
  respect to you guys for your mature attitude.
  
  Arsenal Vision is one of a few sites to visit for rational debate. the rest, not so much.
  keep up the good work!

• 19-Jul-2011 11:32 | | Podge
  

  Perception is reality. I think that's the important thing to remember when the internet is involved. How often have you read a comment on a blog or the blog itself say "we should sign x,y and z" only for rumours about x to appear in the paper within 2 weeks. Arsenal need 2 new centre backs is the popular cry now by fans and media, considering we had the best defence in prem from open play but left players unmarked just look at the goal conceded in china to see it's not a height issue.I'd say a bit more attention to marking and aerial play in training would be as effective if not more so than signing Samba and Cahill but that's irrelevant to most fans today.
  Everyone is a football scout/manager these days thanks to the internet 10 years ago we really only knew the top players from other leagues now we know the benchwarmers at Fiorentina and Galatasary. If St. Etienne are having some money trouble and Arsenal bid 7m for Matuidi they would be tempted as they may not receive a better offer but everybody knows the player and his style so if they reject that bid and say he is worth much more to them another club comes in with a 10m offer and it snowballs to whatever the highest bidder is willing to pay. This has always happened to a certain degree but the internet has increased it.Arturo Vidal is a world class but little known player he gets a regular mention from bloggers who vary his value from 8m-20m which valuation would Leverkusen prefer? Knowing this Arsenal would have to start the bidding at closer to 20m than 8m and then another club maybe with a billionaire financier outbids Arsenal then a player who is realistically not worth 20m can go for 30m. I was lazy and decided to use realistic Arsenal targets instead of actual transfers.
  Basically I think the internet has removed a big part of the need for quality scouts. If even we know all about Matt Hummels then the scouts just have to watch him and compile a report for Wenger judge if he suits Arsenal and bingo theirs our target. 10 years ago the scouts had to go to Germany without a target attend dozens of games across all levels and work with local coaches to find the best centre backs under 25. Our scouts function now is mostly find the best players under 18 that people don't know about yet.
  I doubt Campbell's dad had Mancini on speed dial. If his only connection to football is being his son's agent he would have virtually no contacts. It is very likely someone at City(or whoever) saw the news break on Arsenal websites and decided to hijack the bid.
  The internet certainly hinders Arsenal in transfers a) our targets are well known and so more expensive and b) rival clubs see our deals before they are signed. It doesn't just hurt us as ManU lost out on Essien,Mikel and Robben to Chelsea in recent years.

• 19-Jul-2011 11:34 | | matlee
  

  @ Mean Lean, Wenger Boy
  
  respect to you guys for your mature attitude.
  
  Arsenal Vision is one of a few sites to visit for rational debate. the rest, not so much.
  keep up the good work!

• 21-Jul-2011 12:26 | | goonerbegood  - has anyone ???
  

  has anyone thought that maybe cos we are too tight with money,the targets keep slipping our hands.
  just cos of 1m more or 5-10 k more,with the scouting net work we have ,we should have no problem ,the only obstacle i can forsee is we are too tight with money and by the time our tightness takes the better side of us,another club is already in there paying up and moving along.
  e.g alvarez.
  
  wenger won't sign anymoire players...this i worte a while back ..cos i have come to know his tactics.we already have kyle bartley,lansbury,etc..if we buy someone it will hamper their graduations ..lol
  
  wenger will never change

• 24-Jul-2011 01:09 | | richie  - Agents internet targets and money
  

  Before the Man U and Chelski saga I know we were looking at Essien because it was being reported in the French press that Essien was thought to be Arsenal bound. 2 bites at the cherry. At the time when PSG offered Bastia €7M (we were watching him) Bastia accepted but Essien couldn't agree personal terms so Lyon stepped in, then when Lyon won 3 league titles in a row we made an inquiry to Lyon about Essien, it triggerd intersest from both Manu'er & Chelski and the price from Lyon soared.
  The rest as they say is history. This wasn't internet based movement we lost our top scout back then and with him all our targets became public.

• 24-Jul-2011 02:15 | | richie  - Why should he?
  

  Arsene Wenger has the best record by far in the transfer market. We don't spend millions on crap like many clubs do! Even Barca spend bundles on players that don't amount to anything. When our players don't come right "a la Senderos" we don't lose a fortune. Unlike Barca who spent €25 Million on Dmytro Chygrynskiy? and got nish in return. Then swapped the prolific Eto + €25M for Ibrahimovic, not to mention Hleb. Or how about Chelski's €30M Shevchenko episode or Winston Bogarde? How about Taggart's £28M capture of JS Veron? or the £5M he paid for Taibi? We lost out buying British, when we paid Everton £8M for Jeffers, but thats a rare loss. Mainly Arsene has bought low and sold high!
  
  We should all hope Wenger never changes!

• 25-Jul-2011 09:41 | | jd  - strategy
  

  i'd rather that we didn't hear about the transfers until they were already completed if it meant the club finalising deals with better players but if we are having an impact by posting transfer news and targets on the internet the all we neeed to do is to start posting blogs about arsenal signing the shittiest players in the world like Karl Henry and the when City and Chelsea have filled their teams with rubbish players we will easily beat them to the champions league spots. I'm beginning to suspect thats what we already did with Balotelli what a Joke glad we didn't sign him after all that hype.

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