Player Contracts

Swiss daily Le Matin reports that Johan Djourou has signed a 2-year contract extension with us.

Despite some admirable, if inconsistent, performances for us this season playing out-of-position at right-back, JD has come in for harsh criticism from some fans. Let us not forget that this was the same Johan Djourou who returned from a long-term injury last season, and was being acclaimed as the best in the league as he came back to shore up an absolutely horrific defensive unit in the fine form leading up to the Carling Cup final.

Opinions change quickly, and whilst Djourou would be the first to admit that he needs to work on certain areas of his game, he’s still only 25. He’s played more than 130 games for Arsenal, has 30 caps for Switzerland, and it’s great to have a player of that age with that experience. It’s widely accepted that central defenders start to peak towards their thirties, so it’s great news that he’ll be around to strengthen the squad.

Competition for places can only help him in the long-run, although he does need to play at centre-half and not at fullback (where he’s clearly not equipped to play on a regular basis). He really deserves more support than criticism, and people forget as well that he’s an Arsenal boy, and one of our longest-serving players. He’s been at the club almost 10 years, gone all they way from the scholars to the reserves to the first-team, and has rarely ever kicked up a fuss or caused trouble, and always plays with a smile on his face.
http://news.arseblog.com/2012/02/djourou-signs-2-year-contract-extension/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Spain youth international Jon Toral has signed professional terms with the Club.

The Catalan-born attacking midfielder, who recently turned 17, has impressed since joining the Gunners’ academy from Barcelona last summer as a scholar.

Toral’s three goals in 12 appearances for the Under-18s so far this term have earned him a place in Neil Banfield’s Reserves set-up in recent weeks, for whom he made his debut in a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa in January.

Everyone at Arsenal would like to congratulate Jon on his first professional contract and look forward to his continued progression with the Club.
http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/jon-toral-signs-professional-contract-at-club

Peter Hill-Wood has paid homage to club captain Robin van Persie for his recent on-pitch contribution and also thanked Thierry Henry for providing Gunners fans with more great memories after his short loan spell with the club.

Writing in his chairman’s statement in the foreword to the latest Arsenal holdings PLC financial results dossier, the 76-year-old, who succeeded his father 30 years ago, reflected fondly on the return of the club’s greatest ever scorer:

“It was a special moment to have Henry back with us for his statue unveiling.

“This was only surpassed by that winning goal against Leeds United on his return to action in an Arsenal shirt during his loan period with the Club.

“It was a truly memorable football moment from an outstanding Arsenal servant.”

Recognising the importance played by Van Persie, who has at times single-handedly dragged Arsenal towards unforeseen victories in the last year, Hill-Wood continued:

“I would like to recognise another outstanding Arsenal servant, our captain Robin van Persie.

“He has been in tremendous form and has scored many spectacular and valuable goals.

“In addition, he has proved to be an exceptional leader of the team and I am delighted by his contribution on and off the pitch.”

Let’s hope the love from the board and the fans will help persuade Van Persie to sign a new contract in the summer. The Dutchman confirmed ahead of yesterday’s 5-2 hammering of Spurs that he was indeed waiting until the end of the season to discuss a new contract, making clear in the process that there is nothing sinister behind the decision.

“There have been a lot of stories, generally contradictory ones, about my contract situation recently so I’d like to make it clear,” he said.

“There’s nothing complicated or sinister – the club and I have both agreed to speak at the end of the season and see how things stand. The boss, Ivan Gazidis and I are all comfortable with it.

“I need all my focus to be on football – on captaining this team, improving every day, doing extra work on the training pitch and preparing for the very busy schedule of fixtures we have.”

http://news.arseblog.com/2012/02/hill-wood-pays-tribute-to-strike-duo/?utm_source=feedburner.com%2Farseblognews&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+arseblognews+%28Arseblog+News+-+the+one+stop+Arsenal+news+site%29

Wojciech Szczesny confident Robin van Persie will stay at Arsenal - http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-sport/football/article-24038797-wojciech-szczesny-confident-robin-van-persie-will-stay-at-arsenal.do

www.metro.co.uk/sport/football/892655-tomas-rosicky-set-to-sign-new-two-year-deal-at-arsenal

Rosicky set to sign a new two year contract within the next few days. Excellent news especially if he can keep his current form going. Also, I was under the impression Wenger only gave 1 year contracts to over 30 year olds?

A risk given his injury record, but one worth taking in my opinion.

No point having him around to sit on the bench. He needs to be playing and playing as the furthest forward of the midfield three.

If the club are as fed up of losing players as I am, then this makes sense. If Rosicky is still motivated to play for this club then he should have an important place in the squad.

Maybe out of context, but we keep talking as if RVP's contract is up this summer (including me). He is tied up till 2013, so whatever happens this summer, RVP WILL be an Arsenal player next season.

But imagining an Arsenal side without RvP is scary. The contract thing needs to be sorted out.

ralph avedikian wrote:Maybe out of context, but we keep talking as if RVP's contract is up this summer (including me). He is tied up till 2013, so whatever happens this summer, RVP WILL be an Arsenal player next season.

It's to do with the value of a contract though. Nasri signed for 4 years in 2008, but there is a classic example of the real value of a contract being one year less than its duration. Either you convince the player to re-sign before the final year or the player('s agent?) holds all the cards.

We don't believe that RvP is just another Nasri, but all the same the rule holds true.

Maybe after next season it wouldn't, with Podolski, Jack, Gerv, Ox etc.. and maybe one of Hazard/M'vila etc..

(in response to Van Roy)

None of them is a top striker, and what if Podolski turns out to be a total flop in the EPL, or what if we don't get him at all. If you tell me we either give RvP a new contract or we replace him with Podolski, I know which one I'd prefer. Besides, I want RvP to end his career with us and get himself a statue or at least a legendary status.

And yes, I mentioned your original point in another thread, RvP can still sign towards the end of next season.

Unless of course Arsenal are worried he won't sign and won't run the risk of letting him go on a free. Thus selling him while he's firing on all cylinders and fully fit to gain a lot more money.
I hate the thought of that happening but football is a business after all.
Especially with this club

Wenger in his press conference said we won't be selling Van Persie, not for any price.

Didn't he say something similar about Cesc and Nasri?

He did want to keep Nasri till his contract ran out, I assume he was under some kind of pressure from the suits in that one, 24 mil was a lot for someone like Nasri. But I think this case is entirely different, if reports are to be believed RVP's captaincy has brought a lot of changes behind the scenes and there is a better atmosphere than a lot of the previous seasons. I don't think Wenger will want to disrupt that during this important rebuilding phase.

I'm sure he won't want to. But it does seem that he may have been undermined by the Nasri sale. What's to say that won't happen again?

ChippyBrady wrote:I'm sure he won't want to. But it does seem that he may have been undermined by the Nasri sale. What's to say that won't happen again?

^ This, but the board has seen the aftermath of Cesc and Nasri sale. They aren't too stupid to let that happen the second time around. Also I have heard we are doing well with the paying off the stadium debt. Van Persie will get a significant raise in his wages and I think Wenger will convince him to stay. Just my opinion though.

Anyway, I have no doubt Robin will stay. He is waiting till the summer to have negotiations as he will bring a massive bag full of match balls to the table and the positivity of a squad who respect him, and the fans who adore him.
He will say '' This is what I have given you and this is what I will continue to do. Now give me 150k a week.''

Arsenal will of course say yes. The release of Squillaci and Almunia will pay for his wage increase alone.

And shattering the wage structure it may do but no player can be deserving of such ludicrous wages as Robin. So they can keep their mouths shut if they are looking to match what he's on.

Bendtner is on 52K, no? Sell the fucker and one of/both Chamakh or/and Park. Hopefully Joel Campbell gets a work permit and promote Afobe and there, we already have a better set of strikers even if we don't sign Podolski (hopefully we sign him, relying on 2 unproven 20 year olds is a big risk). I'm sure Afobe and Campbell cannot be any worse than the two useless clowns.

Bendtner is on 52K, no? Sell the fucker and one of/both Chamakh or/and Park. Hopefully Joel Campbell gets a work permit and promote Afobe and there, we already have a better set of strikers even if we don't sign Podolski (hopefully we sign him, relying on 2 unproven 20 year olds is a big risk). I'm sure Afobe and Campbell cannot be any worse than the two useless clowns.

And give whatever we get from their salaries to RvP. Problem solved. We can give Almunia as his buttler/driver/slave whatever he wants to use him for as well.

“Our plan is to keep Robin van Persie even if we buy any player. Robin is the leader of our club, and I was just like to specify that he is not out of contract."
I got this from arseblog, Wenger speaking. Does this mean we have bought Podolski?

Bendtner 52k p/w for sure. Then let's say :
denilson 40
squillaci 40
almunia 40
chamakh 50
fabianski 30
Arshavin 70

That is a total of 270k. Give 50 more for Rvp, 100 for podolski and we still have 120 on new players, youth players etc.. and all that is without spending anything more than this season, on wages at least. (I know it's very simplistic, but you get my point)

Oh, I forgot to add Bendtner's wages.. :s

These player wages figures comes from AST who admitted recently that it was a 'guestimation'.
I have no idea why there is always so much certainty from everyone about how much a player is earning. Seems like something that would not be so easily disclosed by any party.