Arsene Wenger certainly knows how to frustrate fans. Gonzalo Higuain seemed a done deal, however for £34.5m he’s gone to Napoli because Arsenal failed to improve their bid by a few million and we have missed out on a top quality forward who would have inevitably improved the Gunners squad.
Would it have been different if Wenger was in England and not galavanting around Asia selling shirts? Who knows, but one thing is for certain this transfer window is turning into a joke.
Luis Suarez has since emerged as Arsenal’s primary target, however Wenger has finally spoke publicly about the saga and it is not good news.
The Frenchman revealed they are not close to signing the Uruguay striker or anyone else for that matter, and with Liverpool expecting close to £50m it’s hard to see any deal eventuating.
He told reporters in Saitama, Japan:
We are not close to signing Suarez or anybody else so there’s no reason why I should talk about it.
There is nothing to say (on the Suarez deal). I have been away now for two or the weeks and it’s hard to see how things are advanced because everyone is on tour at the moment and it’s very difficult to get in touch with people.
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We are ready to do quick deals but all the transfers do not depend only on us. We are prepared to wait. It looks unlikely before the Emirates Cup (next weekend), but we still have a strong squad.
Yes Arsenal do have a strong squad but badly need some acquisitions. At the back they could possibly get away without signing someone with the versatility of Sagna and allowing Miquel to step up this season, but in midfield they need someone with a physical presence to boss the centre of the park and a top class striker is a must have. Otherwise we’re destined for a fifth place finish.
Even the Spuds have bought in this window, and a bloody good buy at that. Arsene Wenger also was quoted as saying that the market is competitive (no s*%^ sherlock!), but maintains that he does want to add to the squad and is less fussed a signings name but rather his quality.
He told Arsenal’s official website:
I believe that everybody competes on a very high level. What has changed recently is that in Europe, countries like France have bought some very talented players who would two or three years ago all have come to England. That makes the chase for talent very difficult.
What we want is not a [big] name but a good player. The name is less important. What is important is the quality of the player. We want as many top players as we can but we have to focus on the players [already here] and develop them as well.
In midfield you have plenty of candidates – there’s a big fight in midfield. Sagna has settled in well as a centre back. We have a strong squad. We are there on the market trying to strengthen our team.
Gooners have had to watch our various Premier League rivals bring in the top quality strikers and midfielders this summer, with City buying two international grade forwards – they now have FOUR strikers.
I hope for Wenger’s sake that he is just playing games and he is in fact close to signing someone. Otherwise we will have a repeat of last season.
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