Arsene Wenger Comments on Arsenal Spending, Transfer Market, More
By
Christopher Simpson
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While the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez and
Granit Xhaka have all been brought in, Arsenal's work in the transfer
market paints a stark contrast to Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea—all of whom have won more trophies than the Gunners in the last decade, including multiple league titles each.
Arsenal have laboured each year while their rivals have made significant strides to improve. Even the Red Devils, who have been poor in the three years following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, look to have rectified their situation with four marquee signings this summer.
Wenger's failure to sign the players Arsenal need has drawn significant ire from supporters, per the Telegraph's Sam Wallace (contains NSFW language):
The Frenchman has spoken of the struggles Arsenal have faced in the transfer market, per SFR Sport (h/t Get French Football News):
Twitter account Arsenal Report gave their own insight into Wenger's attempts to sign players:
His comments are likely to be particularly grating with supporters this year, who have seen all of their rivals sign players who could have improved the Gunners' squad.
Meanwhile, with more money available to those of smaller stature in the Premier League than ever before, even mid-table clubs are proving more active—and in some cases, effective.
It would not be a surprise if Arsenal did not bring in another centre-back this summer, while the likes of Everton were able to replace the departed John Stones with Ashley Williams—a defender who would have made an outstanding partner for Laurent Koscielny.
Indeed, here's a summary of Arsenal's window thus far:
With Wenger now entering the final year of his contract with Arsenal, he's at serious risk of being remembered for holding the club back as much as he is for their success during his tenure.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
The 66-year-old is not eagerly anticipating his retirement. Per Sky Sports' Rory O'Callaghan, he added in the book: "It's
been my life and, quite honestly, I'm scared of the day. Because the
longer I wait, the more difficult it will be to lose the addiction."
Further, he does not believe he will enjoy being retired as much as Ferguson:
To justify staying at Arsenal, at the very least the club must mount and sustain a serious title challenge.
Before they can do that, Wenger must show in the transfer market that he and the club have the ambition to do so as the squad in its current state looks far from capable of that.
This summer could be the most defining transfer window of Wenger's Arsenal career, and time is running out.
Jeff Gross/Getty Images
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
has revealed he spends the club's money in the transfer market as if it
were his own in order to avoid making mistakes when buying players.
Per the Mirror's John Cross, Wenger wrote in manager Alan Curbishley's new book Game Changers: Inside English Football:I personally believe the only way to be a manager is to spend the club’s money as if it were your own, because if you don’t do that you’re susceptible to too many mistakes.While the Frenchman's caution is understandable to an extent, he has perhaps taken it too far in recent years.
You make big decisions and I believe you have to act like it’s your own money—like you’re the owner of the club and you can identify completely with the club, because if you don’t do that I think you cannot go far.
Will Arsenal sign the players they need this summer?
Arsenal have laboured each year while their rivals have made significant strides to improve. Even the Red Devils, who have been poor in the three years following Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement, look to have rectified their situation with four marquee signings this summer.
Wenger's failure to sign the players Arsenal need has drawn significant ire from supporters, per the Telegraph's Sam Wallace (contains NSFW language):
The Frenchman has spoken of the struggles Arsenal have faced in the transfer market, per SFR Sport (h/t Get French Football News):
Twitter account Arsenal Report gave their own insight into Wenger's attempts to sign players:
His comments are likely to be particularly grating with supporters this year, who have seen all of their rivals sign players who could have improved the Gunners' squad.
Meanwhile, with more money available to those of smaller stature in the Premier League than ever before, even mid-table clubs are proving more active—and in some cases, effective.
It would not be a surprise if Arsenal did not bring in another centre-back this summer, while the likes of Everton were able to replace the departed John Stones with Ashley Williams—a defender who would have made an outstanding partner for Laurent Koscielny.
Indeed, here's a summary of Arsenal's window thus far:
With Wenger now entering the final year of his contract with Arsenal, he's at serious risk of being remembered for holding the club back as much as he is for their success during his tenure.
Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Further, he does not believe he will enjoy being retired as much as Ferguson:
After Alex retired and we played them over there, he sent a message to me to come up and have a drink with him.Ferguson was 71 when he retired, so even if Wenger does leave Arsenal at the end of the season, he is still several years away from being the same age—he may well go elsewhere.
I asked 'Do you miss it?' He said, 'Not at all'. I didn't understand that. It's an emptiness in your life, especially when you've lived your whole life waiting for the next game and trying to win it.
Our pleasure comes from that—and our social attitude as well.
To justify staying at Arsenal, at the very least the club must mount and sustain a serious title challenge.
Before they can do that, Wenger must show in the transfer market that he and the club have the ambition to do so as the squad in its current state looks far from capable of that.
This summer could be the most defining transfer window of Wenger's Arsenal career, and time is running out.
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