It seems as if Arsenal have shot their title chances in the foot as this transfer window comes to an end, with only veteran midfielder Kim Kallstrom seemingly joining on a six month loan coming in as midfield cover. Arsenal have suffered unfortunate injuries and suspensions in that position and this should be seen as a sensible signing.
However, Arsenal fans have watched Manchester United sign Juan Mata this window and seen title challengers Chelsea secure three good acquisitions in the form of Mohamed Salah, Nemanja Matic and St Etienne youngster Kurt Zouma. Favourite for the title Manchester City, could probably field two teams capable of challenging for the title already.
January started with the expectation that Arsenal would look to sign a quality striker as they had looked to do in the previous window with attempts to sign Gonzalo Higuain and Luis Suarez proving unsuccessful. As January approached there were clear signs of Olivier Giroud tiring and the injury to Theo Walcott seemed to guarantee a forward of quality would be signed.
The way in which both the transfers of Higuain and Suarez were handled in the summer showed huge signs of incompetence on behalf of the Arsenal way in negotiating transfers which was perhaps shadowed by the late signing of Mesut Ozil on the deadline day of the summer window. These signs of incompetence have crept up again except with no signs of being overshadowed.
Ambition
Arsene Wenger will of course claim there is no need for negativity. Arsenal will expect to be top of the league after Sunday’s home fixture against Crystal Palace and find themselves still in the FA Cup and the knockout stages of the Champions League.
However it is the seeming lack of ambition that will disappoint Arsenal fans as the window comes to an end. Arsenal have been in excellent form for the first half of this season and have shown that they should be rightly considered as title contenders.
But this squad needs help. If Olivier Giroud gets injured can Nicklas Bendtner be trusted to lead the line for the Arsenal?
The loss of Theo Walcott this month could cost Arsenal the title especially with no replacement coming in. There is an alarming lack of pace in this Arsenal team that has not been addressed with Theo out of the side. Critics raved about Luke Shaw’s performance against Arsenal in midweek but would he have found himself attacking the flank so much if he had Walcott to contend with. Certainly not.
Arsene Wenger has talked up Alex Oxlade Chamberlain regarding Walcott’s absence but it is clear he sees him more as a central midfielder and he does not carry the same danger that Walcott does on the wing.
It now seems that the squads of Chelsea and Manchester City will be able to stretch that bit further than Arsenal. Arsene Wenger has put faith in 18 year old Serge Gnabry since the loss of Theo Walcott and although he is undoubtedly a huge talent it is a lot to ask for the young German to fill Theo’s boots. Chelsea and Manchester City don’t tend to play youngsters and it is hard to see them not pulling away from Arsenal now.
From the start of this window Arsenal should have been pushing to sign a quality striker. Instead we have seemingly seen them desperately searching for loans and late deals. Is this the way a title chasing side operates?
Now and Then
This year is Arsenal’s best chance to win the title since the 2007/8 season. That year it seemed a quality striker was needed to support the squad Arsenal had. Alas, Eduardo got injured and the season never recovered. If Giroud sustains an injury without Theo as back up could the same happen?
It is a negative viewpoint to take but realistic. The question begs why Arsenal have taken this risk? If the club truly want the title then why not give the squad the best chance possible? In the case of signing Julian Draxler, it looks as if the price has put them off. Well the football world has news for you Arsenal; quality players cost a lot. Why not pay £5 million over the odds for Draxler if he can help you win a title? I fear after the upcoming World Cup his value will increase and another club will cash in.
Long gone are the days where quality players can be picked up for peanuts. Occasionally this can happen as we have seen in the form of Gnabry but these days every top club has extensive scouting systems which means most young talents are known about and the value is high for them.
Manchester City show no sign of faltering. Perhaps the injury to Sergio Aguero can give Arsenal some hope. Chelsea have strengthened this window but occasionally show signs of weakness. The opportunity for Arsenal is there. Next year it may not be.
Manchester United will have had a full season under their manager and will be sure to strengthen. This goes the same for Manchester City and Chelsea who will also undoubtedly spend big. I fear Arsenal may be waving their best chance goodbye by not investing in this window.
Regret
It is clear that there is a lack of quality strikers around at the moment. However, it feels like the stubbornness of the club will cost them. If you want quality you pay for it. The only baffling thing seems to be the signing of Mesut Ozil seemed to signify a change in the mentality of the club in spending. It is more than likely the summer will bring bigger signings but in terms of the title it may prove too late.
Two windows have gone and no striker has been bought. Sorry, there is Yaya Sanogo. Would this have happened at any of the other top clubs in England? Evidently not. The club has shown a lack of ruthlessness in getting their targets which will disappoint the fans immensely.
In the meanwhile there is hope this squad can have a successful season. There seems to be an incredible sense of team spirit amongst this squad personified by the outstanding Per Mertesacker and the British unit within the squad has been very pleasing for the fans.
The signing of Mesut Ozil in the summer seemed to give a real boost to the team and it seemed that same boost could give this squad the push they needed to go to the wire for this title. I fear the lack of additions will see Arsenal fall short but we keep the faith.
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