Once the season kicks off it will be Arsenal’s third in the Europa League and the gap to the top is as big as it has been in a very long time and yet players are still choosing Arsenal over so-called superior rivals.
Arsenal was supposed to be a club in decline but it seems that no one has told the players that have been signed or are being targeted by the club.
Tottenham, Champions League finalists, fantastic new stadium, Champions League participants and a very strong squad tried to hijack the William Saliba deal and yet he chose to sign for Arsenal.
The same club tried to sign Dani Ceballos and yet again, he chose to sign for Arsenal.
Champions League qualifiers Napoli have been repeatedly reported to be interested in signing Kieran Tierney and yet it appears that he will be signing for Arsenal.
Nicolas Pepe was reportedly wanted by Champions League winners Liverpool, Serie A runners up Napoli and one of the biggest clubs in the world Man Utd, and if today’s reports are true he has chosen Arsenal.
There is a significant pattern developing here and it cannot be based on money alone, not when you are going up against clubs like Man Utd and Liverpool.
It proves to me that the pulling power of Arsenal is as strong as it ever was and that is while they are in the situation they currently find themselves in. Imagine if Arsenal did qualify for the Champions League or had genuine title prospects.
At the end of the day you can buy your way to trophies and success in the short term but over the long term you cannot beat history, culture, branding and class and Arsenal have that in abundance.