flobaba wrote:
If you were to write it, right now, how would it go?
im honestly not sure. he started out so strong. his stubbornness and drive were lovable characteristics it showed how much he cared. but it got a bit grating, seeing him constantly acting like a spoiled kid on the pitch. his determination seemed to morph into selfishness. the narrative then had to always be "is alexis happy?"....and unfortunately, we dont know what has happened behind closed doors. did arsenal try to sign him to a big contract extension and he was unreasonable about his demands? right now, it feels like he doesnt want to be here, and i dont think thats a new feeling for him. im sure he was desperate to leave in the summer.
the thing is, im sure he wanted to leave just as much as van judas wanted to leave. van judas came out with that letter and made the whole thing public. it seems alexis just stewed after the move to city fell apart. i think right now, there is a small segment of the entire fanbase that just doesnt like him and wants him gone. there is a larger portion that understands his frustration with the club and doesnt blame him for wanting to go to a better club. and there is a portion of the fanbase that thinks he shouldnt be allowed to leave and join a rival until he can do it on a free.
i personally blame wenger and the club. if they knew 2 years ago he was not going to sign a new contract, then he should have been sold for £100m. if the club offered him a deal with a substantial increase in wages and he said no, he should have been sold. it is gross negligence for a club with our resources to allow players to run down their contracts under 2 years. if the player is an important part of the team, they should be tied down to a long term deal at all times. allowing contracts to run down creates uncertainty, it diminishes the value of the player, and its bad for every facet of the club. the fact that it has regularly happened here is an indictment of our entire setup.
