There has been plenty of talk surrounding the transfer of Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia to Arsenal this week, because whilst the transfer itself was only completed and announced a day before the deadline, since then people also haven’t been able to stop talking about Arsene Wenger’s spending spree this summer.
Wenger brought in a number of big money signings this summer in the form of Xhaka, Mustafi and Perez. All three transfers would have broken club records back in 2009, when Wenger spent what seems to now be a measly (but a club record) £15 million on Andrey Arshavin. Now Le Prof is quite content to spend almost €40 million on a defender and it’s safe to say his actions have surprised a few.
Speaking after the Arsenal Legends game, Arsenal great Jens Lehmann couldn’t help but give his say on Arsenal’s recent purchase of £35 million Mustafi, as well as Arsene Wenger’s financial proceedings at Arsenal football club. Lehmann said:
“It’s unlike Arsenal to sign a defender for almost €40m – I’m surprised. I think he’s probably the most successful manager in making money for the club. He’s always taken part in the Champions League, buying cheap and selling expensive. He was a major player in setting up the new stadium and at the same time always playing Champions League football.”
Lehmann isn’t the only person to have his say about Arsene Wenger’s big money move for Mustafi, after a spokesperson for FC Barcelona, ridiculed Wenger for spending such a high amount on a player of Mustafi’s quality. Now I’m sure this isn’t a dig at Wenger because we all know that Mustafi is a quality defender, although I also am aware that some still sit on the fence about the defender’s capabilities. In my opinion, although the price does seem a little high, who are we to complain about Wenger spending such amount of money, when all we wanted to see what a bit of ambition from Arsenal in the transfer market. Barcelona made the point that Arsenal had paid over the odds for a player, when there were more suitable targets available all summer, however Arsenal have that kind of money to spend and I think we have invested well in Mustafi.
In a transfer window that almost hit £90-100 million from Arsene Wenger’s spending spree, it comes as no shock to see that people are quite surprised with Arsenal’s transfer dealings. Although the summer window seemed to drag on and was tiresome when Arsenal looked desperate, I think overall we can say that it’s been a very positive window, in which Arsene has strengthened some key areas in the team.
By AH