If you list the things that Arsene Wenger hates, Arsenal’s transfer window will be high on that list. Not just the way things are conducted during the window, but also the way players and rumours fly around irks him.
When the summer window closed with Arsenal failing to sign a single outfield player, the criticism fell in the lap of Wenger. Stakeholders, fans and former players everyone jumped the bandwagon to take him to task. And the agony multiplied when shortly after the window closed, the news of Danny Welbeck’s injury relapse was announced.
There were comments everywhere on how the club should have signed a striker – not least Karim Benzema or Edinson Cavani. Though both of them proclaimed their happiness at their current clubs, everyone wanted Arsenal to test their resolve.
It didn’t happen and Wenger had to end up answering questions on his decision and how he may have kept Welbeck’s injury away from everyone. Wenger was quick to rebuff it and point out the fact that there isn’t any quality striker available in the market.
It is very difficult not to be objective in this discussion but Wenger may have a point on the paucity of strikers. The good ones are already taken and the available ones aren’t good enough. If a club like Manchester United can spend so many millions on a teenage striker who’s yet unproven, it’s worth noting.
To call that Wenger lied to everyone on not knowing about Welbeck’s injury setback is again, something up for, discussion. If we throw the intricacies out of the window, it will again boil down to availability. Even if Wenger knew of Welbeck’s injury upfront, would he have been able to sign a striker?
Paul Merson wanted the club to test Real Madrid resolve with a £75 million bid for Benzema. Would that have tempted Real and Benzema? Not really! These are the days when clubs find multiple ways of making money. In short, huge wads of money will not sway the decision. One look closer home will show recent example of Everton who found solace in blocking the exit path of their youngster than taking the huge offer on the table.
Bottom line, let’s cut the slack and give the man some credit. He may get the stick for not coming up with the injury updates or failing to show more intent. But, Wenger may have more than a point when he says the available options do not merit Arsenal’s attention
Sridhar