After watching his side in the 8-2 thrashing by Manchester United, Arsene Wenger cut a despondent figure at Old Trafford. It was after this display that Wenger and the board realised that they desperately needed to strengthen the depleted squad. After collecting nearly £80 million of transfer fees over the summer, it wasn’t like they didn’t have the money to spend in the window.
Wenger reacted to the horrific result with three days of hectic activity, spending an estimated £30 million, before the transfer deadline came to pass. Arsenal’s team of worldwide scouts went through their intensive scouting notes and turned to a supply of options that the club have been tracking for years. By the time the transfer window closed Arsenal had a new look defence with Brazilian left-back, André Santos, and German centre-back, Per Mertesacker joining the club. In attack, Spanish midfielder, Everton’s Mikel Arteta, had joined South Korean striker, Park Chu-young, on the late arrival list, along with Israeli international Yossi Benayoun, who joined on loan from Chelsea.
Looking over the signings I think that Mertesacker is just the sort of defender Arsenal needed to sign with a no-nonsense commanding style that will provide much-needed strength to their defence. Benayoun and Arteta may be proven Premier League players but they are not in the same league as the recently departed duo of Fabregas and Nasri. Benayoun has left Stamford Bridge after being deemed surplus to requirements while Arteta has only made an average of 26 appearances during the last three seasons, a worrying statistic. The other two arrivals are both unproven players who may have featured for their respective international sides but it is difficult to tell whether or not they will make a huge impact at the Emirates this season. This is the risk Wenger is taking, by rushing through the late transfers he has gone against his usual transfer prudence and as a result they have ended up with older players on extended lucrative contracts.
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The team will certainly have a fresh look in their next Premier League game against Swansea and Wenger has instantly appeased the loyal fans by signing experienced players without really bothering about the fees and wages paid. Not only did he manage to refresh an inexperienced squad but he also shifted out some deadwood who were taking up vital wages.
While I can understand why Wenger has felt the need to sign so many players in such a short space of time I fail to see why it could not have been completed earlier in order to get better value for money. Nasri and Fabrgeas departed a full week before the transfer window closed and if Wenger would have just matched Chelsea’s offer for Juan Mata it is much than likely the former Valencia player would have ended up there instead.
Wenger was left in a difficult position after the Manchester United defeat and I that is probably why they made a late bid for Arteta and even offered him a four-year contract, despite the fact he will be 34 when it finishes. It appears quite a desperate move but I think it could out to be quite a coup as Arteta has always been regarded as a top-class performer and if he can stay fit he could be an excellent purchase by Wenger, although there is an element of risk involved.
While Ferguson and Mancini were able to sit back with a relaxing day last Tuesday, Wenger was desperately trying to secure some new recruits for his team. By deciding to strengthen so late I think he has taken a gamble by bringing in quantity over real quality. New faces were certainly required at the Emirates but by going against his own transfer policy he showed his desperation. The only way we will find out if it was the right thing to do to from their results at the end of the season.
Let me know your thoughts and follow me on twitter @aidanmccartney for even more football debate.
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