Fighting the Power Shift - Arsene’s Last Struggle?

By Ulysse Pasquier, writing from Montreal

Football clubs do enjoy their deadline drama it seems. These last couple of days have been so hectic it has become difficult to keep track of my Twitter feed every single deal, and the transfer window is not even closed yet! We can expect more signings in the next 24 hours that could shape the rest of the season, notably in the Premier League with much of the attention focused on Arsenal. The Gunners have been incredibly busy since their humiliating defeat at Old Trafford, getting their hands on Park Chu Young from Monaco while waiting for Andre Dos Santos and Per Mertesacker to follow the South Korean to North London. Arsene Wenger has had a very worrying start of the season, to say the least, and Arsenal’s top four spot is already severely threatened, only three match-days into the new campaign. Whether this new found taste for spending is a reaction to this weekend’s loss or part of “Le Plan” is irrelevant, however after Manchester City’s performance at White Hart Lane, it could very well be Wenger’s despairing attempt at saving Arsenal’s seat in the Champions League. 

Although I don’t believe his job is particularly in danger, Arsene Wenger has never been in this situation in his time at Arsenal. Even until - almost - the end of last season, the Gunners were playing some of the best football in Europe and had a firm grip on a top four place in the Premier League. Sure, trophies were not there, but quality was. A striking drop in form and the selling of key players have set the North London club off course of what should be its priority: qualifying for the Champions League. 

As it stood, before this transfer frenzy, Arsenal were looking at a crisis that would have seen them eventually drift to mid-table just as Liverpool did 2 years ago. As an Arsenal fan, it is extremely frustrating to think that the “smart and careful business” model that Wenger was advocating would have led to the same result as bad ownership. 

Liverpool may not be back to their full best, they have managed to look dangerous again by spending more than £130M in two years. Arsenal spent just over £14M last year and around £25M so far this summer (in confirmed signings, ie. without Dos Santos and Mertesacker). Just because I have to make the comparison, Manchester City have spent over £235M in that same time. 

Now, I am not asking Wenger to suddenly spend £150M or even £100M, but Arsenal have never paid much more than £30M in one summer for players while teams around them have been putting more and more money in the transfer window. Even if you have Wenger’s eye for young talent, it will be much easier to be competitive when other teams are spending £30M more than you, than when they are spending £100M more. Even Manchester United who have never been big spenders either and have arguably the best squad depth in the country have already put £60M into transfers this summer. Granted, “power” in football does not only come with money, but there is a minimum amount required for success and City have worked hard to raise that minimum. I think Arsenal were yet to adapt to a rapidly changing market. 

The bubble was bound to burst for Wenger and it certainly did when his trusty young talents became impatient at only 23 years old and moved on. Arsenal were left fighting guns with bows and arrows, and heavily paid the price. 

If the Dos Santos and Mertesacker deals do go through, this will be the most Arsenal have ever spent in one summer. While it is still nowhere close to City’s investments, it would look much more like the spending of a club which wishes to be sustainable (and that not only OFF the pitch). Finally Arsene is “splashing the cash” - in his own way - and finally he is buying experienced players. I am confident Wenger knows what he is doing and is working on adapting his transfer policy which will be an important boost for the club. I think we can even expect at least one midfielder to sign for the Gunners tomorrow and, honestly, hearing names like M'Vila, Marvin Martin, Hazard and Demspey are making me want to jump with excitement. 

Do you think Park, Dos Santos and Mertesacker are what Arsenal need to turn their season around? Which players would you like Arsene to sign on the last day of the transfer window?