As the January transfer window draws ever closer the Arsenal fans are hoping, as always, that Arsene Wenger is ready to spend some serious money and sign the players that will help the Gunners to win the Premier League title that has been too long away from north London.
But we are also starting to experience that sense of Deja Vu about our transfer business under Arsene Wenger in recent years. I doubt that any of us has forgotten or forgiven the winter window a couple of seasons back when the Gunners were in the middle of an injury crisis and were desperate for at least two key players to see us through the second half of the season.
Two words Gooners, Kim Kallstrom. We were crying out for some top quality signings in the forward line and defensive midfield and Wenger signed, on the final day mind you, an aging Swedish midfielder who turned out to be injured himself. On loan mind you.
So we have good reason to worry. And Wenger´s comments reported by the Daily Mail are hardly the thing to ease our fears.
The boss said, “We are in a position where we want to do something. If I find the right quality, I will do something.”
What are we talking here Arsene, players that are better than Arteta and Campbell?
He continued, “I love a bargain. Who does not love a bargain? I don’t know many people that don’t like a bargain.
“What is for us a bargain is to buy players of top quality, because only top quality strengthens our squad. I can tell you I bought Patrick Vieira for £2.5million and it was a top bargain because he was a top quality player.
“We spent nearly £40m on Ozil but I still consider it a bargain because the player is top quality and the priority has to be the quality of the player.”
I agree but I also think that Wenger has to forget about bargains. If they come cheap, all the better, but what is more important is for the club to sign players of the right quality. His comments on Ozil suggest that he knows this but I still have my doubts.
Will he really spend big money on the players Arsenal need if he does not see them as a bargain?