For those of us that thought Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger had seen the light due to the previous season’s shortcomings may be about to suffer a degree of familiar disappointment. We may have reasoned that he had analysed the flaws in our performances and identified players for the various roles and allocated cash to secure their services.
It has to be said that he has at least bought Alexandre Lacazette and snapped up the potential bargain of the season in Sead Kolašinac but it’s simply not enough.
Where is the Midfield Maestro? the creative engine? with Santi Cazorla sidelined for long term, Wilshere out of favour and Mesut Özil’s inconsistent performances, a creative central midfielder seemed essential.The
The cash, we were told was available and Wenger seemed like he would spend with the vigorous intent of a drunken lottery winner but after Lacazette, he had a coffee, sobered up and closed the account.
Perhaps there are 3 reasons that Wenger cant fill the void
1.The talent isn’t available.
2.The player can’t be coaxed away from his current club.
3.The cost.
But if you believe that up until a week ago, the press were talking about £124 Million bid for Mbappe then all 3 excuses make no sense.
It appears that Wenger has reverted to type, the dizziness of ambition seems to have faded and the books, on closer inspection lack the necessary cash flow or is it just old fashioned arrogance?
There are players looking to move, Riyad Mahrez of Leicester or Thomas Lemar of Monaco, either of which would be exciting additions without completely resolving the problem.
Closer to home, Nemanja Matic went to United and slipped through the net and Gylfi Sigurdsson of Swansea, now almost an Everton player, would have been ideal but Wenger overlooked those.
This is the same story we had a few years ago when the Arsenal defence was in crisis and little was done to repair the damage. We were then, like we are now, just one injury away from disaster at the back, with Wenger preferring to shift players out of position to fill the holes.
Some might say that Wenger has been able to convert players in the past such as Henry, from a winger into a goal machine or Ashley Cole from striker to left back but in general, it doesn’t work.
Wenger needs to get busy again in the transfer market and secure at least another defender and a creative midfielder. I’ve given up hoping for a top notch holding midfielder with Wenger continuously going for the wrong option when there are better available.
I have a feeling that nothing is about to change in a hurry, I’m happy to be proven wrong but I have suffered the trials and tribulations of Sky Transfer centre right down to the wire, only to find that we ended up without the necessary recruits.
There was much said about change and we all thought that it was going to be a revolution but I’m afraid that it appears that it’s going to be a slow process under Stan Kroenke
“The Deer Hunter” and Wenger “Mr. Caution” new season, same Wenger?
