A SAD, SAD DAY FOR FOOTBALL.

So today was transfer deadline day across European markets. And if anything it has really plunged football into deeper, darker realms. Contracts no longer mean much, player power has increased to an extent that is way too unhealthy. If there was anything that was positive about it, it is that Arsenal are not involved in any of this craziness.

Firstly, Berbatov, who was still contracted to Tottenham, insisted on a move to Man United. Make no mistake, I think it's great that a player has ambitions to achieve greater successes, but he should have considered that when he signed a contract a couple of years back. If a club wants a player, it's up to the club, not the player, to take the initiative. The player of course can express interest as well, but he should still always honour his contract at the same time. Drogba was stretching it when he kept insisting that he wanted to leave Chelsea, but at least he didn't let it affect his performances on the pitch - he got them to a champions league final. Berbatov however, was, as the press likes to use all too often, "unsettled". For a long time, Man United had been unable to match Tottenham's valuation of Berbatov. Yet, the constant speculation around it meant that Tottenham's plans were completely disrupted. Being the star player of the team, it meant that whether or not he would be playing for Tottenham next season would have a huge influence of the manager's plans and strategy. And it showed - 2 defeats in 2 against 2 teams that had far fewer quality players. As an Arsenal fan I'm laughing away, but as someone who respects the ethics of football I feel for them. And just today, Berbatov has left for Man United. Sure, they got the replacements in, they got the money too. All 30.5M pounds of it (which reminds me of Shevchenko). But it was because had they not made the deal, they would have been left with a useless and unmotivated Berbatov. The ridiculously huge amount paid is a sad thing in itself, what was worst was the way Berbatov acted throughout this whole scenario, and how his club was simply powerless despite the contract they had on him.

Berbatov is not the only one, of course. United's own Cristiano Ronaldo was subject to ridiculous treatment by the Spanish press and Real Madrid. The way the Spanish do it, is that they relay the news that they want a transfer for a player to the tabloids, and then let the tabloids do the rest - publish twisted translations of interviews, which results in a chain reaction of press speculation and unsettling of the players. Ronaldo isn't the only one. For years they tried the same trick on Vieira and Henry. Well Barcelona did get Henry in the end, but by then he was in decline already. It is just miserable the way the Spanish press do it, with regards to transfers. The fact that Ronaldo did not successfully move to Real Madrid delights me, ironically, despite the fact that he will rip premier league defences apart on the way another title. So, player power and influence is getting ridiculous now. It seems now player can be more important than a club, even for the biggest club in the world. That's sad.

I haven't even talked about the money. Clubs, agents are greedier now. That I can understand. But players now have fallen down that pathway. For them, ambition is now based on how much they are going to earn. Case in point no.1: Andrei Arshavin. He was a huge star at Euro 2008, and was wanted by top clubs in Europe, including Barcelona, Tottenham, and Arsenal. He had the choice to leave - his manager had let him. And yet, because he insisted on a transfer fee high enough that he would receive a significant amount of compensation from it, any move failed to materialize. And now, he is left with Zenit St. Petersburg which is no doubt a decent club, but his potential will never be stretched or realized compared to if he had joined one of those clubs above.

Transfer fees are now in excesses of 25-30M. This year it's shocking the amount some mediocre clubs have paid for mediocre players. Andy Johnson to Fulham for 13M, Jo for 18M, Robbie Keane for 20M odd, all sounds just utterly crazy to me. They are good players, but certainly no where near the amount the clubs have paid for them. And now there's a new player on the block. Just when we thought Man City would run of cash after the political trouble that Thaksin is faced with, in comes a UAE consortium and right away, money is being spent like Middle-East oil, like Beijing's fireworks. And they've got Robinho, who earlier in the day insisted he wanted a move to Chelsea (yet another case of player power). So much so for wanting to play for Scolari's new "samba-style" team when the money is put on the table. Of course the excuse of "Premier League experience being one that cannot be turned down" will pop up. This is exactly similar to Ryan Babel last year, who said he dreamed of playing for Arsenal, and would even wait till an offer is made for him, until Liverpool came in.

At the end of all this, I am glad to be an Arsenal fan. The supposed class that Manchester and Liverpool was assumed to have, that Chelsea did not seems to be eroding fast. While I am of course frustrated that the squad is severely weak, it was probably because there was no one which was available at a reasonable price. We might well finish 5th or 6th this year with the riduculous sums other clubs have spent, but at least we will have that surplus which will lead to good long-run growth. All this, while I am still waiting for a "tragedy story" to appear when one of these owners lose their patience when they realize there is no way that fans can be satisfied except for more and more big-money transfers. I read that for the first time on Sky Sports, fans are calling for Wenger to leave. So be it then, fickle-minded fans. We will have lost many supporters I feel, because of our transfer activity (or rather, lack of) this term, but at least we have stuck to the very principles and foundations that have brought us from a no-name club one that is top-8 in Europe and the one that reaps the highest year-on-year profits, even after excluding transfer fees.

On a final note, Fabregas has been a fine example for everyone. I don't know how significant his 8-year contract might be if one day, he decides he wants to move on, but for now, I think he deserves so much admiration and praise for the attitude and gratefulness he shows. The fact that he is one of the best midfielders in the world is but a bonus.