Arsenal Transfer Analysis : Over the years

by Saad Mohamed

Things haven’t been the same for Arsenal and Arsenal fans since the club decided to move from the great Highbury to the Emirates in 2004 which cost an estimated 390m pounds putting the club into a critical financial position where they had to be very cautious with their each and every move going forward. From there on Arsenal had to make a lot of sacrifices during that period,even having to let their top players leave and not being able to acquire top class players or compete with their rivals in the transfer windows. Even amongst all these limitations and shortcomings, Arsenal performed really well in the Premier league managing to finish in the top four every season and making it to the Champions League which was and is the ultimatum for majority of the clubs.This period also witnessed some of the young players break through to the first team and shine like the likes of Fabregas ,Walcott ,Nasri , Ramsey, Wilshere. All were starting to make a name for themselves in world football and Arsenal still remained one of the top clubs in the world.

 

Fast Forward 2012 

Six years later, Arsenal officials stated that the club’s financial situation was getting better and they were no longer as critical as in the past. Players like Henry, Viera, Fabregas, Nasri, Adebayor, Clichy, Kolo Toure and many more were sold over the years to manage Arsenal’s financial situation. Arsenal finished third in 2011-12 season and Arsenal’s Van Persie was the top scorer of the league. Fans started to believe they could finally end their trophy drought in the upcoming season and their days of having to let go of their best players were over and also the club would once again be active and be able to acquire top class players in the transfer market. But the turn of events were something Arsenal fans were not braced for.

Robin Van Persie, who was the top scorer of the league with 30 goals and Arsenal’s top scorer of the season with 37 goals in all competitions stated that he would not be signing a contract extension with the club which runs out in 2013. This came as a blow for the club and fans alike. As a result of the player’s decision, Arsenal decided to sell the forward and raise some money than allow him to leave for free and eventually sold him to their direct rivals, Manchester United for 25m pounds contributing to the fans dissatisfaction even more seeing their top player being sold to their direct rival.

Van Persie fired Manchester United to their 20^th title the following season, again becoming the top scorer of the league.

What could not be understood was that when Arsenal’s financial situation was getting better why did they go into a panic sale when they didn’t require the money in such urgency and when the player still had an year left in his contract? And moreover why did they sell him to a direct rival, who embarrassed Arsenal 8-2 the previous season and made them stronger? Van Persie was one of the top strikers at that time and a lot of clubs were in for him. Arsenal should have shown the courage to take a gamble on him and played him the next season. Maybe he could’ve fired them into the title or helped them progress beyond last 16 in the champions league. Or better yet,he could’ve been persuaded to sign a contract extension eventually. All this still ponders in the heads of Arsenal fans.

Along with Van Persie, Alex Song, who was also another stand out performer for Arsenal in the middle of the park the previous season, was sold to Barcelona. Carlos Vela, a promising winger who didn’t want to stay at North London anymore was also sold.

With Van Persie and Alex Song gone, Arsenal needed to address the striking and midfield department. Arsenal brought in Olivier Giroud from Montpellier, who helped them clinch the Ligue 1 title becoming the top scorer of the league and was only 25 years old. At around 12m pounds he was a pretty good acquisition. But he had the duty to fill the void left by Van Persie and a lot was expected of him. Along with Giroud German international Lukas Podolski was signed from FC Koln around 10m pounds. A player who is clinical in front of goal and could play on the left wing as well as upfront. At midfield along with Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky, Arsene Wenger decided to trust Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere. Wilshere, only 20 at that time, displayed some terrific performances the previous season and also Aaron Ramsey showed some really good potential as well. Also Arsene Wenger still had faith in Abou Diaby who has had a very concerning injury record and was starting to worry everyone else except the manager. With the holding role going to Arteta along with Ramsey and Wilshere, Arsenal brought in the technically gifted, attacking midfielder Santi Cazorla from Malaga. Arsenal also brought in left back Nacho Monreal from Malaga in the January window of 2013 as cover to Kieran Gibbs. That season Arsenal finished fourth and made it to the last 16 of champions league getting knocked out by FC Bayern.

 

2013

Both Olivier Giroud and Podolski had a good debut season with Giroud scoring 17 goals in all competitions and Podolski netting 16 times in all competitions. Walcott emerged as clubs top scorer with 21 goals in all competitions. Neither Giroud nor Podolski could fill the void left by Van Persie but the Manager believed their best was yet to come. Santi Cazorla had a remarkable debut season becoming Arsenal’s player of the season. Oxlade Chamberlain made a break through to first team. The injury to Vermaelen saw Koscielny step up and take the spot forming a pretty impressive partnership with Mertesacker in the defence. As the season concluded, Arsene Wenger gave the fans new hope for the season by promising top class signings in the summer.

Fans and pundits alike were not convinced with Giroud’s performances even though  statistically the Frenchman had a pretty good season and the manager, rightfully so, put faith on the striker to lead the line for the upcoming season. Arsenal brought in young French striker Yaya Sanogo. Arsene Wenger decided to go with Giroud, Sanogo, Bendtner (who came back from loan with Juventus) and Podolski who could also play upfront for the new season and decided not to bring in another striker.

Arsenal fans were pretty much unimpressed with the club’s activity in the transfer market even though the club signed some exciting young players like Chuba Akpom, Yaya Sanogo, Semi Ajayi. The club also called promising Serge Gnabry into first team. Arsenal brought back defensive midfielder Mathiu Flamini on a free transfer from AC Milan but what Arsenal needed was a striker as Olivier Giroud was the only experienced striker in the squad.

On the transfer deadline day of 2013, Arsenal were being heavily linked with Luis Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain and Mesut Ozil. Arsenal got a 40m pound bid rejected by Liverpool for Suarez and Arsenal were unwilling to go further for him. Higuain decided to join Napoli. Finally, Arsenal signed German International Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid, for a club record fee believed to be around 42m pounds. Arsenal fans were ecstatic on hearing this news. This was indeed one fantastic signing and he went on to prove that. But the question remained whether it was Ozil or Luis Suarez that Arsenal needed the most.

Also Gervinho, Chamakh and Mannone all left the club to Roma, Crystal Palace and Sunderland respectively. Andrey Arshavin was loaned out to Zenit St Petersburg.

As January 2014 approached, Arsenal were on top of the table. Ramsey was having a spectacular season being Arsenal’s top scorer. But the team came short due to injuries, especially in midfield and striking department with Arteta and Rosicky on injury list. Wilshere also had some fitness issues. Diaby still nowhere near fitness. Flamini was not impressing. Bendtner failed to impress as well as got himself injured. Yaya Sanogo also showed that he is not yet ready for top flight. Arsenal also lost Theo Walcott to a knee injury which put him out for the rest of the season. Giroud was the only fit forward in the Arsenal squad and was put in a position where too much was asked of him .  Despite being short in midfield and upfront and fans wanting the team to finally win the league for the first time in 9 years, Arsenal remained quiet in the transfer market. What Arsenal needed was a solid defensive midfielder who could come back to help the defenders and also a striker who could relieve Giroud off  his pressure. Arsenal finally brought in experienced Swedish midfielder Kim Kallstrom on loan, who unfortunately came to the club injured. Arsenal didn’t make any more signings.

Arsenal finished the season by ending their 9 year trophy drought. Arsenal beat Hull City to win the FA Cup. Arsenal finished the league fourth. From being at top of the table during Christmas to being fourth at the end of the season. Arsenal became the only team ever to do that. Manchester City won the league title and Luis Suarez became the top scorer with 31 goals. Arsenal was once again knocked out the champions league in round of 16 by FC Bayern.

Once again Arsene Wenger was subject to heavy criticism from fans and pundits  for not spending when required, especially during the January transfer window because Arsenal had a realistic chance of actually winning the league but injuries and the reluctance to bring in cover ruined Arsenal’s season. Arsene Wenger could have atleast brought players on loan to cover up for the injured players and the one they did bring came in injured. Also Arsenal’s performance in big games was really disappointing. They lost 6-3 to Manchester City away, 6-0 to Chelsea away and 5-1 to Liverpool away. These games clearly showed Arsenal players crumbling under pressure. Olivier Giroud also showed signs that he is not the kind of striker you can win the league with. He was good but not good enough for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta and Wilshere’s frequent injuries also cast doubts on whether they could be relied on for an entire season. Arsenal also needed a strong holding defensive midfielder.

 

2014

Even though it was a disappointing league campaign, Arsenal finally ended their trophy drought by winning the FA Cup. Fans were expecting that as a start for better things to come, by that expecting new signings to make the team better. The area where Arsenal needed strengthening was clearly the defensive midfield and upfront. Giroud had his fair share of goals but the number of chances he missed and clear cut opportunities he wasted was staggering. He was also facing heavy criticisms for the same. He has fantastic link up play and is an aerial threat but lacks pace and can’t dribble past a defender. Clearly,  Arsenal needed an upgrade.

Bacary Sagna and Lukas Fabianski both left the club as their contract expired to Manchester City and Swansea City respectively.(And Arsenal panic sold Van Persie). Also the club released Niklas Bendtner and Park Chu Young as both failed miserably to impress. Defender Johan Djouoru moved to Hamburg. As Koscielny continued his impressive performances and formed a fantastic partnership with Mertesacker, Thomas Vermaelen went down the pecking order. He was eventually sold to FC Barcelona for 15m pounds.

Arsenal started the transfer window with some intent by signing Alexis Sanchez from Barcelona for about 34m pounds. Sanchez was coming from an impressive World Cup performance at Brazil and was a really good signing. Arsenal then went on a spending spree signing right back Debuchy from Newcastle as a replacement for Sagna, goal keeper David Ospina (who himself had a tremendous tournament at Brazil) from Nice and the highly rated young versatile defender Calum Chambers from Southampton. But still Arsenal didn’t strengthen where they needed to, the midfield and upfront. As Vermaelen departed they also needed a central defender as a cover for Mertescaker and Koscielny. There were rumours continuosuly linking Arsenal with Sami Khedira and Benzema but none came fruitful. Arsene Wenger still insisted that Olivier Giroud was the right man to lead the line for Arsenal and also decided to put faith on the fitness levels of his midfielders Arteta and Wilshere. Finally on deadline day Arsenal signed England forward Danny Welbeck from Manchester United.

Even though Arsenal didn’t sign a midfielder Arsenal looked set for the season and they started by winning the FA community shield beating Manchester City 3-0. As the season started injury plague hit Arsenal again with Giroud, Wilshere and Debuchy getting injured.

During the January transfer window Arsenal signed defender Gabriel Paulista from Villareal and young polish midfielder Krystan Bielik. With Alexis Sanchez,  Podolski found himself not being selected and was loaned out to Inter. Despite having a tremendous World Cup display, Joel Campbell was not given first team opportunity and was loaned out to Villareal. Injuries to Wilshere, Arteta and Rosicky saw the emergence of Francis Coquelin, who was called back from his loan spell. An impressive display from him at the Etihad Stadium where Arsenal won 2-0 established him into the starting eleven. As Coquelin emerged, Arsene Wenger decided that the priority for a midfield signing was minimized and as a result Arsenal didn’t sign any. Diaby was still nowhere to be found.

Arsenal were once again knocked out in the round of 16 of Champions League by Monaco. But Arsenal finished the season strong with impressive performances from the players. The season witnessed the emergence of Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin, who continued to impress. Nacho Monreal established himself over Kieran Gibbs. Ospina replaced Szczesny at goal. Unfortunately during the end of the season Danny Welbeck sufferred an injury. Arsenal finished third in the league and won the FA Cup for the second time in succession and a record 12^th time beating Aston Villa 4-0. Alexis Sanchez had a fantastic debut season scoring 25 goals in all competitions and was Arsenal’s player of the season and PFA player of the season.

 

2015

Arsenal finally became financially stable and healthy. The officials even stated that Arsenal no longer needed to sell their best players. For the first time ever, pundits and fans believed this to be Arsenal’s year. Arsenal finished the 2014-15 season strong and were considered real title contenders for the first time since many years. The emergence of players from Arsenal’s reserve squad who put in quality performances showed the brilliant squad depth that other teams could only dream of. But they still needed some very minor tweaks in the squad. Arsenal were seriously just one or maybe two players away from winning the title.

The injury to Danny Welbeck saw once again Olivier Giroud to be the only fit striker for Arsenal during the start of the season. Having already played three full seasons Giroud failed to hit the 20 goal mark again showing that he is not the title winning striker Arsenal needs. Wilshere suffered another serious injury during pre season training and was ruled out for several months. Arsenal needed a striker and a midfielder to complete the puzzle. Only a striker and midfielder and nothing else.

Lukas Podolski who was getting frustrated due to lack of game time was allowed to leave. Even with shortage of strikers Arsenal decided to let him leave for Galatasaray. This move didn’t go at all well with fans as Podolski was a fan favorite. Moreover, his game to goals ratio was really better than any other forwards at Arsenal. Arsene Wenger stated that Theo Walcott, who loves to play centrally, would be playing as a striker for Arsenal.

And in the transfer window, Arsenal signed world class goalkeeper Petr Cech from Chelsea. For the first time since Jens Lehman, Arsenal had a world class keeper between the sticks. Even though it was a great signing it was not what Arsenal needed. What Arsenal needed was a striker and a good holding midfielder. Francis Coquelin was good defensively and had great reading of the game but didn’t have ball control or couldn’t take the ball up front from midfied. Wilshere was out for almost half the season and Mikel Arteta, Flamini and Tomas Rosicky were all entering the final years of their contracts. Arsenal continued to be linked with a lot of players like Benzema, Cavani, Krychowiak, Xhaka. Even though there were sufficient funds Wenger remained stubborn on his views stating that the market was getting inflated and the players were overpriced. And at the end nothing happened. But Abou Diaby was finally let go. Also Szczesny was loaned out to AS Roma. Andrey Arshavin, who had a promising start at the club also departed. Santi Cazorla shifted to central midfield along with Coquelin. Arsenal only signed one outfield player.

Arsenal started the season by beating Chelsea for the FA Community Shield. And as the season progressed it was evident what Arsenal was missing, a clinical finisher. Mesut Ozil had perhaps one of the best seasons of his career creating 139 chances (breaking the previous league record) and finished the season with just only 19 assists (Thanks to the strikers) but still topping the assist chart and one less than the all time assist record of 20 by former Gunner Thierry Henry.(Thanks to the real striker Denis Bergkamp). Ozil had 16 assists by January 1 from 80 chances created, a conversion rate of 20 percent. And 3 assists since January 1, 2016 to the end with 59 chances created, conversion rate of just 5 percent.

Arsenal were on top of the table in December 2015. The poor form of the strikers Walcott and Giroud led to an outcry for a striker and it was clear they needed one. Welbeck still wasn’t back from injury. In January window, however Arsenal signed Egyptian midfielder Mohammed Elneny from FC Basel. Arsenal was yet again gifted with another golden opportunity to win the league with Leicester City being second ,Chelsea stumbling to win games and both Manchester teams struggling. Arsenal’s path was clear. But nothing else happened in January even though the need for a class striker was ringing around the Emirates. Wenger remained stubborn in his decisions.

And as the remaining of the season went underway the lack of a class striker haunted them. Arsenal’s trouble scoring goals infront of goal led to them fading away from the title race despite being on top of the table in January. Arsenal also lost some pretty winnable games due to lapses in defence and midfield. There were even protests with supporters holding placards saying “Wenger Out” due to Arsenal’s reluctance in spending on players. Arsenal somehow finished the season second as their North London rivals Tottenham fell on final match day against Newcastle. Leicester City won the title for the first time in their history.

Finally after given a chance, Joel Campbell put in some pretty decent performances. Alex Iwobi also broke into first team. It was also time Arsenal’s defence needed strengthening as Per Mertesacker was aging and players were able to easily beat him on a sprint. With Arteta, Flamini and Rosicky leaving, Arsenal needed a midfielder to replace them. And again Arsenal needed a top class striker.

Arsenal was in dire need of a class striker and a good holding midfielder since 2013. But still remained hesitant in acquiring one. Arsene Wenger’s immense faith in Olivier Giroud , Wilshere and Arteta cost Arsenal the chance of perhaps winning two league titles in 3 years ,the 2013-14 and 2015-16 seasons with latter becoming the most closest one. With all the top teams crumbling it was Arsenal’s best chance to win the league with the quality of players they had, the squad depth and one of best managers in world football.

 

And now 2016

Analyzing Arsenal’s transfers over the years it was clear that Arsenal’s reluctance to spend at the right time and putting a lot of faith on the wrong players cost them dearly. One can’t help but imagine what would’ve happened if Arsenal had taken more effort in bringing Luis Suarez to Emirates in 2013. Or what would’ve happened if Arsenal had brought midfield and striking reinforcements in January 2014 when they were on top of the league table. Even though Arsenal signed Ozil, which was indeed a great signing, Arsenal were not in a position to address the attacking midfield department. In fact Ozil was perhaps the second or maybe the third option behind Luis Suarez and Higuain. Higuain snubbed Arsenal for Napoli. Suarez went on to have a spectacular season that year becoming the top scorer of the league and taking Liverpool to second place finish and went on to move to FC Barcelona.

Arsene Wenger’s immense faith in Giroud, Wilshere and Arteta was another problem. Giroud was clearly not the striker Arsenal needed. Despite having some of the best creative midfielders around him he still didn’t manage to score 20 goals in the league. He was given enough chances (from 2012 to 2016) to prove his mettle but nothing has happened. The 2013-14 season also showed that Mikel Arteta’s best days were behind him with the captain falling prey to several injuries. Similar was the case of Tomas Rosicky. Also Jack Wilshere’s inability to remain fit for an entire season came into question. But still Wenger decided to go with them for the 2014-15 campaign. But that season saw Arsenal make some signings but most of them was direct replacements for players that departed the club and not as to strengthen the team. The only signing that was of relevance was Danny Welbeck’s acquisition as Arsenal was in desperate need of a striker. Arsenal also failed to bring in replacement for Vermaelen and for half of the season relied on young Calum Chambers and sometimes Nacho Monreal to play as centre back before bringing in Gabriel only in the January window. Wenger’s faith on Wilshere and Arteta backfired with both of them getting injured at the start of that season with Wilshere on long term injury. Arteta had a series of injuries that term and clearly showed signs that a replacement was imminent. Danny Welbeck also suffered long term injury during the second half of the campaign. But that season was a transitional period for Arsenal as some players from the reserve squad got a chance because of the injuries to the first team players and put in some quality performances. Francis Coquelin and Hector Bellerin immediately solidified their places in the starting eleven.

The 2015-16 season was one where almost everyone believed Arsenal were the team to win it, not just the fans but football experts and pundits as well after having a good squad, a strong finish to the previous season and an unbeaten pre season. But then again Arsenal failed to address the striking and midfield department. Wilshere once again suffered another long term injury in training and was ruled out for several months. With Giroud as the only fit striker for the start of season Arsenal let Podolski leave. Arsenal could have kept him as a backup striker as he had a decent goal scoring record but instead Wenger put his faith, this time on Walcott to play centrally and that too backfired. Even after realizing that, Wenger and the board remained hesitant to add to the squad in January. Arsenal were on top of the table once again and with sufficient funds available didn’t bother to bring in reinforcements to finish the season strong. That transfer window was one where Arsene Wenger and the board’s decision was clearly not understandable. Why they didn’t spend, knowing that they could have clearly won the league? They had funds then why didn’t they use it?  Why was Arsene Wenger so stubborn to bring in new players? It was safe to say Arsenal had no competition at all that season with the top teams struggling. And as expected Arsenal fell and Leicester City went on to win the league. And the question everyone was asking was if Arsenal couldn’t do it then when can they do it?

The previous season clearly cast doubts and raised questions on the club’s ambition and objectives. Even though the move to the bigger Emirates Stadium was about being ambitious about the future it looks like there won’t be anything for the future if the club and the manager take decisions like the ones they’ve taken. Of course Arsenal have history, they have won the league title several times but it has been 12 years since they last won the league. They have never won the Champions League and has never made progress beyond last 16 for the past couple of seasons. People are starting to forget that Arsenal are a big club. And in that time Chelsea and Manchester City rose to dominance with Chelsea even winning the Champions League.  It seems like Arsenal only wants to finish the season in top 4, make sure they want to qualify for Champions League and generate revenue.

On the other hand their rivals have been spending like crazy. Taking the last five seasons Manchester City have spent around 540m pounds, Manchester United 530m pounds, Chelsea 450m, Liverpool 365m, Tottenham 275m and Arsenal 240m. Arsenal despite being one of the top clubs have spent less than half of what the Manchester clubs have spent over the last 5 years. In that five years Manchester City won the title twice, United once and Chelsea once.

Arsenal don’t need to spend like their rivals do but they do need to spend. Spend whatever it takes at the right moment to better the team. Spend when they are gifted with opportunities. Look at Ozil, look at Alexis Sanchez. Big money signings make big impact and can change games.  Had Arsenal bought a midfielder and a striker in January 2014 how that season would’ve turned out? Instead they bought an injured Kim Kallstrom on loan. Had Arsenal splashed 50-60m pound on a striker last year or in January, how different a season Arsenal would’ve had? But instead they only spent 10m on a goal keeper. Arsenal created far more chances than any other team in the premier league in 2015-16 but still failed to score goals.

And this season it’s a whole new story. Some of the best managers in the world has taken over the premier league clubs and have already started rebuilding their squads. Even mid table teams like West Ham and Everton have appointed fantastic mangers and they too have started the rebuilding process and have made top signings. This season, without question, would be one of the most competitive premier league ever. And with the new TV deals, there’s an influx of money into the clubs and all clubs are putting them into the transfer market. With just a few more days remaining in the transfer window, Arsenal so far have made just one major signing in midfielder Granit Xhaka for 34m pounds. Arsenal have also brought in young defender Rob Holding and a young Japenese prospect Takumo Asano. Moreover, Arsenal has been snubbed by Jamie Vardy, Gonzalo Higuain and Riyad Mahrez.

 

What Arsenal needs this season

Arsenal need to strengthen the team without question. Not to win the league but to survive at the top as well. However, Arsenal have finally acquired a commanding holding midfielder, Swiss international Granit Xhaka (whom they should’ve acquired in 2014) from Borussia Monchengladbach. But Arsenal still has the same major concern, a class striker. This time the market is actually inflated and Wenger even stated that he was afraid of the prices now. (Had he spent 50-60m last year!)

But all of a sudden now Arsenal faces a crisis at the back. Per Mertesacker got injured in pre season and would be out for first half of the campaign. Gabriel too got injured and would be out for 3 months. Arsenal need to sign a centre back not just as cover but as a replacement for Mertesacker as well. The captain is aging and when he returns from his injury he is only going to get older and slower. Moreover, Gabriel has been inconsistent and has failed to impress in his performances.

Arsenal’s search for a striker looks like its heading nowhere with very less strikers available on the market and those available are priced high. Arsenal could’ve landed in form French striker Alexander Lacazette but they seemed to have angered Lyon, who valued the player at around 40m, with a 29m bid when West Ham had a 32m bid rejected for him. Arsenal could’ve have at least made a 35m bid for him as he seems value for money but again Arsenal’s unbelievable hesitance has changed the scenario. Lyon now values the player at around 60m.

Similar is the case for Arsenal’s hunt for a centre back. The one player that is constantly linked with is Valencia’s German International Shkodran Mustafi. He is only 24 years old, has good game experience and seems ideal to partner Koscielny at the back. He could also replace Mertesacker in the future. Valencia values the player at around 30m pound but yet again Arsenal are unwilling to go beyond 25m.   

This is another problem with Arsenal, the reluctance to spend at the right time. Arsenal needs a striker (for years actually) and a centre back and yet they are still bargaining and hesitating to conclude a deal. The way their clubs have valued Lacazette and Mustafi seems reasonable (especially in today’s inflated market) as they are amongst their club’s top players and yet Arsenal still find it not right.

So why this hesitance? Why this reluctant to spend on players when you require to and have the sufficient funds? Or does Arsenal have any funds? Or does Arsenal don’t want to win major titles anymore? Are the board and manager happy with what they’re achieving and is that enough for them? Has Arsene Wenger lost the desire and hunger to win titles? What about the fans?

If Arsenal don’t strengthen and decide to, once again, put faith on the players they have and head to the season there’s every possibility that Arsenal won’t be able to finish in the top four or even get embarrassed. Both the Manchester teams are going to be different under Jose Mourinho and Pep Gaurdiola. Chelsea are set to undo their previous terrible season under new manager Antonio Conte. Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp wants to make a statement. Tottenham wants to continue their impressive run they had last season. Leicester City wants to prove they were no fluke champions. West Ham and Everton want to qualify for Champions League.

If Arsenal are not willing to spend and strengthen the squad and put in a serious effort to win the title this time it’ll seriously hurt Arsenal’s reputation and put further questions on the clubs ambition going forward. Moreover, Arsenal won’t be an attractive club for top players with former Gunner Thierry Henry already stating publicly that Arsenal were no longer first choice club for top players. Also, Arsenal would find it difficult to hold onto their top players. Already, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil have not yet signed contract extensions which were offered to them. Last but not the least, Arsene Wenger, who enters the final year of his current contract would once again be on the wrong end of the knife. There’s already a difference of opinion on the manager among the club supporters. After having done so much for the club it would be a shame to see him leave without a major honor or worse, not even in the top 4 of the league.

The transfer window is not yet over and there are a few more days left. As fans, let’s hope Arsenal make some major signings and strengthen the squad and go on to win the league title this time.

Come on you Gunners!