...That Arsenal have been 'linked' with over 700 players since 2010!

Honestly, I'm not Surprised

Also, Wegner had spotted both Hazard and Gotze before they had any fame/recognition in their respective clubs. Shame Arsenal won't invest in his primary targets like they should. Arsene is a freaking genius spotting talent.

@raimondo, and how do you know this?

Gotze link back in 2011-12 right around the time he achieved any real fame.
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/arsenal-target-mario-gotze-signs-new-deal-at-borussia-dortmund-7593368.html

Hazard link way back in 2009, his first season as first team player. Hardly any recognition outside of France.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1215822/The-Cristiano-Ronaldo-Eden-Hazard-declares-sealing-summer-Arsenal.html

^^ This is what your Hazard article says: "Having coveted the attention of Manchester United, Inter Milan and Barcelona". Hardly any recognition outside France?

And Gotze was already a full time Germany international in 2011-12. 'Spotting' an international player of a top international team is hardly a difficult task.

^ Buuurrrnnnn!

I can't find the full article but Wegner was the first to bring Hazard into the limelight. As for Gotze, like I said, yes he was already a full starter for BvB but both players had just made their first real season as a regular. In Hazard's case is shown to a greater extent. Had any of you heard aid a young Belgian boy playing in France back in 09? I don't think so. Arsenal were the very first team to show real interest for him. You can look for the other article, I am unable to since my Internet is restricted to many webpages.

"Had any of you heard aid a young Belgian boy playing in France back in 09"

Yes I had, I watch Ligue 1 regularly. Lille are an established top flight club, not some 3rd division club.

Obviously Arsene Wenger knows about more young talent than you and me but are we the benchmark? all clubs have such advanced scouting facilities these days that any player who is showing promise is in the radar of all big clubs. Also, if I assume your point about Wenger being the only one aware of their 'hidden' talent being true, then it would be foolish to express interest in them and not sign them because that would make other clubs interested in these players.

Arsene Wenger is the best at finding young talents. Fucc you all.

Man I'm so tired right now, I can almost fall asleep, but I want to say this to raimondo before I go.

@rai,

'Congratulations, Arsene, you were the first man to spot 2 of today's most promising legends in the making'

Now I'm not sure if what you're trying to say is either an insult or admiration, because I'm pretty sure Arsenal would have gone to sign those two players within a heart beat, no matter what price, since they were not only 'primary targets', but also, as you say, Arsenal were the 'first to spot them'.

To me, it's hard to believe that Arsenal 'showed real interest'. In Hazard's case, Arsene Wenger quotes, "with some clubs we just cannot compete for certain players", meaning that although he may have been 'first', he never showed 'real interest', and thus he was too late to scab the little trickster before others came in to auction for him (he's not wearing a Gunner's shirt today). I guess the same applies to Gotze as well.

My point is, any club can be the first to spot talent, but at the end of the day, it's not about who seeks first, it's about who gets it first. That's why I think calling AW a 'genius' can be seen as sarcasm, because if he was a genius, he would have gotten them by now.

Good night.

source for Hazard's case: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/9572126/Arsene-Wenger-admits-deal-for-Chelsea-midfielder-Eden-Hazard-was-way-out-of-Arsenals-league.html>

and once again, FredTilson summarized my point in a nutshell while I was typing. Thanks (literally)!

No, no sarcasm at all. Sometimes transfers are up to the board as well, and we all know how stingy Arsenal are when it comes to spending.