I don't see this as a slam on arrangers at all. All Chas is saying is that it is the live performance that matters more to the audience than the equipment being used. Sure it is nice to have the latest and greatest but it really doesn't matter much to the audience. A great performer will still put on a good show with outdated gear. This is the same whether it is an OMB with an older model arranger or a band where the guitar player uses a budget Squier guitar. It is all about the performance.

I think it was the title that may have misled some. It should probaby have been Chas's alternate "OR, why it makes little difference what type of Arranger you play (professionally)" but that became obvious when reading it.