Arsene Wenger has reiterated his desire to be in the market for the event ‘something special’ happens or is made possible. However, as usual, he has made it clear that Arsenal will only sign a striker if one of ‘quality’ ‘becomes available’ .
Additionally, the Arsenal manager’s apparent priority in the transfer market at the moment is a central defender over the striker. The Metro has quoted the Arsenal manager saying the following on this matter regarding a transfer for a centre-forward:
‘I don’t count in numbers as squad too big,’ said Wenger.
‘I am looking at no other areas apart from centre back, it’s about quality.
‘If we find top quality, I will strengthen.
‘We have lost three centre backs because Laurent Koscielny is also not ready and out of the game but I believe we are equipped to do well.
‘Transfer wise, as soon as we do something we will inform you.’
Arsenal began their project of finding a new centre-forward after Danny Welbeck’s injury towards the end of last season.
Ever since, Arsenal have been linked with almost every possible top notch striker in world football such as Alexander Lacazette, Mauro Icardi, Alvaro Morata, Gonzalo Higuain, Romelu Lukaku, and briefly, even Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge and Polish international Arkidusz Milik, who has now signed for Napoli as a replacement for Higuain, who left Naples to join Serie A rivals Juventus.
While the two Manchester clubs have done some decent business signing attacking players, Arsenal have not made much headway in this context. This is in spite the club claiming that Wenger and his team of people are working round the clock on a transfer.
With about two weeks remaining in the transfer market, it is unlikely that ‘something special’ will really ‘come up’ for Wenger. How much is Arsene Wenger really to blame for this? In fact, is he incorrect in pointing this out in the first place?
The most common Arsenal narrative for some time now has been the idea that with a ‘world- class’ (well, most people actually mean Aguero, or Suarez or Lewandowski) striker Arsenal have a chance of winning the title given their quality in midfield.
The truth is that as much as we may be disappointed in Wenger, there is nothing else that the club can actually do. Gonzalo Higuain has joined Juventus for a transfer fee that is both jaw dropping, for the Argentine is totally not worth it.
Every selling club is aware of the fact that top class strikers are a rare breed these days ; the type of players every club would like to retain. It is for this reason that Lyon, while they would like to retain Lacazette, are also willing to let there be a bidding war for their star striker in a price range that does not justify the player’s talent.
It would be a bit of a travesty for Arsenal to over pay for any player that is not worth the price. However, all one can do at this point is remain hopeful that Wenger can pull of another Mesut Ozil sort of a transfer on deadline day, or towards the end of the transfer window.
