Meatwad wrote:
i was responding to squallkid's "nobodies" post. the strategy enacted by arsenal and wenger wasn't a charitable one, it was a business decision and song and the rest have to make business decisions. song could have easily gone on a yaya toure journeyman path and still get to to the point where barca wants him. arsenal don't own the path to the top. it's not as if if song would be some nobody in france if arsenal scouts didn't spot him.
With regards to the 'nobodies':
That's a complicated argument, I think reaching the top level in anything requires someone to give you an opportunity to shine. Of course Arsenal don't monopolize this but we do more than, say Chelsea, to bring players through and give them that platform. For example, someone like Diego Forlan may have had a much better start to his career elsewhere. It wasn't talent or the opportunity that let him down all those years ago, it was just circumstance.
In another world, it's probable that Song may have not been afforded the same chances and therefore never end up being scouted by Barcelona. However, it's equally likely that had Song not joined Arsenal, he might be regarded as one of the best CBs in the world or something.
Best to focus on what has happened instead.
