How did Arsenal do in the summer transfer window. Some analysts see their lack of buying as a total failure (especially when they could be on the precipice of something special). Other football pundits say The Gunners were just slightly below average in their transfer activity.
There is one inarguable truth about Arsenal’s transfer window- they were the only team in all of Europe’s top five leagues not to sign a single outfield player.
You have to wonder what Manager Arsene Wenger was thinking in not obtaining a striker. He could have used a new defensive midfielder too. I guess Wenger just couldn’t find the right talent available that would consider an upgrade.
The one exception is obviously goalkeeper Petr Cech. That was the only major signing of the summer. The boring, uneventful transfer window drew the ire of former Gunners Winger Paul Merson. Today, Merson is a pundit for Sky Sports and he offered this opinion:
The fans think ‘what are we coming for? We turn up every week, we pay the highest prices and what for? Top four? We might get a day out at Wembley again in the FA Cup.’ Wow-wee.
Just put in a bid for Benzema. £75m. If Real Madrid turn around and say ‘we’re not selling him’, you can’t argue with that. You’ve put in a bid and if they turn it down or the lad doesn’t want to come, that’s the way it goes. But show something.
There’s a saying in life: Keep on doing the things you do and you’ll get the same results. How different is this season going to be for Arsenal? It’s the same team that finished 12 points behind Chelsea last year. Why, this year, will this team finish above Chelsea?
I can tell you now, there will be a phase this season when they’ll be unbelievable, win seven on the trot and play the best football you’ve ever seen. But at the end of the season, with this team and no signings, I’d be absolutely shocked if they won the Premier League.
Lukas Podolski, Carl Jenkinson, Yaya Sanogo and Wojciech Szczesny all left. While none of those names are truly key players, it would not have been a bad idea to replace a few of those guys with upgrades. If you’re one of those who regards Arsenal to be a genuine title contender, you had to be disappointed with what transpired. Or to be more accurate what didn’t transpire.
Arsenal transfer window grades:
Paul M. Banks owns, operates and writes The Sports Bank.net, which is part of the FOX Sports Engage Network. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes to the Chicago Tribune RedEye edition. He also appears regularly on numerous talk radio stations all across the country. Catch him Tuesdays on KOZN 1620 the Zone.
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