A Closer Look – Arsenal spine completely overhauled in three windows

The summer transfer window has now closed, and it is time to take a serious look at the new players we have brought into our club.

This transfer window is the first I can remember in a while where we actually signed players in each of the positions we required, and although Lucas Perez is somewhat of an unknown quantity, his stats stack up to someone who could have a huge say in our season.

Our new forward was credited with an impressive 17 goals in a lowly Deportivo side last term, as well as setting up a further eight more for his team-mates. The stats also say he created an average of two shooting opportunities per game last term, and had a pass completion rating of 78%. He will arrive as Giroud’s back-up, but I expect him to clock up a huge number of appearances this term.

Granit Xhaka has also been brought into our first-team, with the Swiss international already proving his worth with a Man of the Match performance against Watford, and looks likely to be a future captain of our side, having proven to be a leader at Borussia Monchengladbach previously.

Mustafi and Rob Holding are the remaining additions to our senior squad, and the World Cup winner looks a shrewd buy, having become one of the most consistent defenders in La Liga in recent seasons.

As you continue to look closer, you will realise that over the past three transfer windows, we have moved to bring in a goalkeeper (Petr Cech), the two defenders, two midfielders in Xhaka and Elneny, with the latter able to play in an advanced role, as well as a striker, completely overhauling the spine of our team.

This is a huge signal of intent, with our club having needed to ring the changes following a 12 year spell without a Premier League title, and we can now look forward to our new team blending together, and as our team learns to understand each other properly, we should soon be able to challenge with the likes of the Manchester clubs.

Another question I’m asking myself is whether the newly arrived spine has been put in place to assure an easy transition in manager, or whether the set-up will be another project that will be overlooked by Arsene Wenger for the coming years.

Does the new spine mean the Frenchman will be extending his stay to try and win titles again? Or is it the beginning of the transition phase?

Pat J

Tags Arsenal transfers Wenger

15 Comments

  1. Perez could play as striker or even on the wing.

    The real question is………. (and it is not a new question) Where will Ramsey play? Because you know Wenger will move heaven and earth to find a slot for him whether it makes sense or not.

    I honestly do not see a slot for Ramsey as a regular starter unless there are injury absences. But I would bet Wenger will put him at “right wing” even though he won’t really play there (he will mostly roam the center of the pitch).

    1. Ramsey is not fit after the injury. It will take some time. Actually I am surprised about Jack and his will to leave instead of fighting for a spot. Sure, almost everyone gets before in the pecking order but if you are a real committed pro you stay and not put a loan request in front of the gaffer. It is one to watch.

    2. very true.

      i remember one match when Ramsey was supposed to be substituted for another midfielder, for the love of Wenger to his son, the right back was taken off for Ramsey to play as RB and the new substitute to take Ramsey’s spot.

  2. Yes, I agree totally with the analysis. But I would like to emphasize that we have brought in three defenders and not two.
    More so, Lucas Perez is a missing link in our attack. He is strong, pacey, he is a ball holder with the ability to bring others to play.
    Ozil, Walcott and Sanchez would be unstoppable with him in the attack.
    He is little of Henry and Van Persie.
    I look up to seeing him in our jersey.
    Regard

  3. I honestly did not think we would end the transfer window as well as we did. I have a feeling Perez will do well for us, he is kinda like a left footed Sanchez, hungry for the ball and exactly the fighting type of character we need up front. As for Holding I think we have an absolute gem, very talented and composed defender. Mustafi is that added steel we have sorely missed for years at the back.

    From having to rely on Flamini and Arteta as holding/defensive midfielders, we now have Coquelin, Elneny and Xhaka. MAJOR improvement. I honestly do not think Mertesacker will get back into the first team, Holding and Mustafi are solid improvements. Chamberlain looks like a different players, I’d say if Walcott and him can come to the party this season and Perez shapes up, we can win it.

  4. With so much depth on our team, I see the next transfer window where we spend are entire budget for that sought striker.

    A Cazrola may leave next year but we expect Wilshire to take over.

    If Per contract is not extended then we expect Chambers to come back.

    So we’re in a good position with the squad. Hopefully we can lure that big striker next year but before that I look fwd to the season ahead as we immensely improved this summer.

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