On the face of things it would appear that Arsenal have just about everything to offer that a top player could want in the world of modern football. So why is it that Arsene Wenger seems to be having a bit of trouble in persuading his potential transfer targets to come to the club this summer?
Arsenal are in the Premier League which is seen as the biggest stage in the world and we are one of the few clubs that are seen as potential champions, and the fact that we have improved our league finish from fourth to thirs to second in the last three years certainly gives that impression.
Arsenal are also in the draw for the Champions League group stage, with no pesky play-offs to have to get through and we have been in the group stage consistently for many years, so any player thinking of signing for Arsenal could reasonably take top European football as a given.
In Wenger we have a widely respected manager and the team is famous for playing exciting and attacking football and we do so in a fantastic state of the art stadium. Add to this the fact that we are based in London, one of the world’s most exciting and happening cities which appears to be a footballer’s paradise and you can see why I am wondering what is going on.
Apparently the Celta Vigo and Spain striker Nolito is heading to Manchester instead of north London to play for Man City, Jamie Vardy has reportedly chosen to stay at Leicester while Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan are said to be heading to Old Trafford and Man United, so is there something putting off these players about Arsenal?
Or is it just the usual story of the summer with Wenger and Arsenal simply not competing with the other big clubs around Europe in terms of transfer spending and ambition?