Even though most of the Arsenal transfer rumours about the ongoing negotiations between the club and the two star players Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil suggest that the main stumbling block over the pair signing contract extensions is financial, it will not be the only factor in the minds of the players.
One thing that top players like the German and Chilean international want is to know, or at least hope, that they are at a club which can challenge for major trophy honours. Up until a week ago that was certainly true of the current Arsenal squad but with injury problems, fatigue and whatever else taking their toll that looks a lot less certain after back to back defeats.
So while I think that the club has to make sure it offers the two enough money, I think that Arsene Wenger has to show them some real ambition during this January transfer window. Even if it is only one or two players that the manager goes for, the quality of his targets and signings could be the key to getting Ozil and Alexis to commit their futures to Arsenal.
Even if Wenger makes a big bid for a big name player and is unsuccessful it would show the players currently in north London that he means business, don’t you think?
Bob.