Arsene Wenger has told Arsenal fans to expect a maximum of two to three signings this summer.
The Frenchman and his side failed to finish in the top four for the first time under his leadership, yet despite this, he decided to stay on as manager for a further two years and has vowed to strengthen his squad to get back into the top four and, possibly, mount a title challenge next season (don’t hold your breath).
Wenger is now under serious pressure to deliver a Premier League title, something he hasn’t done since 2004. He has already said that he plans to keep hold of most of the current squad but add a maximum of three signings because Arsenal ‘cannot spend as much as other clubs’:
‘We cannot spend as much as many other clubs because some clubs have external resources that allow them to be basically unlimited.
‘We can spend money because we have managed the club well. Let’s not forget the amount of money spent is not a guarantee of success.
‘We have to be clear what we understand as a big signing. Is [Rob] Holding a big signing for you or not?
‘When you buy a player for £40m, everybody will have at the start a positive judgement. When you buy him for £2m, he can’t be good?
‘That means a big signing is not necessarily linked with the amount of money spent.’
The Gunners have already been linked with a number of players which include Monaco’s Kylian Mbappe and Leicester’s Riyad Mahrez, but if Arsenal are to only sign three players this summer, who should they be?
There are reports suggesting that they are close to landing Eupen forward Henry Onyekuru, so should this go through, that would leave just two signings left.
Mahrez has previously been linked with a move to Arsenal and this may be the summer they finally sign the Algerian from Leicester. Another signing done, leaving just one left for Wenger to make.
Of course, these are just transfer rumours, but Wenger has said in the past that he will make just two/three signings in the past and has delivered – not necessarily in the talent department, but he has done what he set out.
I believe Arsenal need more than three signings this summer if they are to challenge and win the Premier League title, and top ones as well. Many positions need addressing and if he is to sign unknown players for small transfer fees then you can forget it happening, especially knowing that your rivals will spend big and strengthen further.
We await to see what happens, but Groundhog Day looks to be taking shape once again.
