Wilshere signs on – now tie down Walcott

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Just a quick thought this very sub-zero London morning:

Nailing the hugely promising Wilshere down to a pro contract is great news indeed, and not just because of his immense potential.

It’s being increasingly widely reported that the global economic meltdown will hit football in this country hard, with the weakness of the pound being particularly painful for English clubs. A European player who cost €10m lat year would have set Arsenal back £7m – but with the exchange rate what it is now, he’s £10m – 30% more expensive. And ditto his wages; so the earning disparity that has drawn so many excellent foreign players to England has narrowed – meaning other European clubs can now match what English ones will pay.

All of which means that tying down someone who lives and thinks in pounds – ie British players – is increasingly important.

And coupled with the financial straits of a few Premier League clubs, it might also mean that a lot of the business done will be done between English clubs this window.

So getting Wilshere’s pen to Arsenal’s paper was crucial – as were the recent signatures of Hoyte, Simpson etc.

Next up Theo Walcott. Now I’m sure his agent is agitating for his client in all the ‘right’ ways here – and that scare stories of him leaving for just £400k are therefore wide of the mark – but he’s another key cog in our wheel so we need him on a long-term deal as soon as possible.

His performances this season have been largely excellent and it’s clear we miss him desperately on the right-wing. Let’s get it sorted.

I mean, if Wayne Bridge is worth £10m, how much is Walcott worth?

Jim

Arsenal since about 1979. Thick, thin and all that.