Arsenal fans will expect their club to be busy in the transfer market this summer, but to what extent will that be a reality?
Wenger’s frugality is not a new topic but always seems to be current. People wonder year after year whether he will spend his much publicised ‘cash-stash’ – many question whether or not he even needs to.
However, I believe the question is not will he spend or does he need to spend but in fact where Wenger will spend his money because I assure you he will spend – he always does.
In the last five seasons, Wenger has spent £143M on transfers – £56M this season alone.
His spending also increases if he sells, so, the more players that leave the club, the more players he is likely to bring in. With a fair amount of dead weight at Arsenal this season, Wenger stands to offload quite a few.
Holding these facts in mind, it seems obvious to me that Wenger will buy players, just don’t expect him to blow his budget on one big name – that’s not his style.
Arsenal have been linked with almost every flair player in Europe over the last 12 months, from Hazard and Gourcuff to Kaká, but, considering Wenger’s purchasing history and Arsenals notoriously dodgy joints, is he likely to pay over-the-odds for players that can only play in one position? I don’t think so. Immediately, these three are ruled out.
“But Hazard can play on both wings” I hear you shout! And you’d be right, he can. He is also young and extremely gifted, but Arsenal currently have a plethora of creative young wingers; Gervinho, Walcott, Arshavin, Oxlade-Chamberlain, and with the promising Ryo Miyachi due back from Bolton, Wenger is unlikely to buy another.
More likely is he will buy players that can cover more than one position – he loves versatility. This is where Lukas Podolski comes in.
It’s no secret that Podolski is on his way to The Emirates. He is a prolific goal scorer that can play as a lone striker, in a front two or on the wide left or right. Along with his affordable £10M price tag he ticks every box for Wenger, and rightly so.
Don’t forget, Wenger will only buy if he sells, so that’s Podolski in, Arshavin out. Using this same method, who else is likely to be brought in?
With Squillaci looking likely to depart, cover at centre half looks high on Wenger’s list. The candidate must though, be able to cover more than one position – arguably why Wenger didn’t opt for Cahill or Samba earlier in the year.
Jan Vertonghen appears to be the obvious choice. His versatility and international relationship with Vermaelan could see Wenger pay the 15 million Ajax want for him.
Since the departure of both Nasri and Fàbregas, Arsenal have struggled to find the decisive forward pass in the midfield. Ramsey hasn’t lived up to expectations and both Benayoun and Rosický have appeared lacklustre. However, the latter’s re-emergence in the last few games means that Wenger will not spend the £40M on Götze he’d feared he might have to.
For a fraction of the price, a more versatile option would be Moroccan international Younes Belhanda. (See video below to watch him in action)
A player that has been publicly coveted by Wenger, he is capable of playing in both the creative hole and out wide. At £15M, Belhanda is realistic arrival in the summer.
£40M spent and three world class talents later, Arsenal look in much better shape to contend for silverware.
It is unlikely that Wenger will make any further buys. Diaby, Wilshire and Frimpong are coming back from lengthy spells in the treatment room and Henri Lansbury is returning from a successful loan to West Ham.
Highly likely though, are the sales of Denílson, Bendtner and Vela, much to the delight of the Arsenal faithful. These sales, along with the sales of those mentioned earlier, make the outlined signings even more likely and would leave Arsenals net transfer dealings in the black.
The only realistic extras next season will arrive through necessity and not lavishness. If Wenger is forced into selling players that he would prefer to keep, Alex Song to PSG for example, then Yann M’Vila is a definite replacement. If RVP goes however, everything will change.
So, the past has illustrated that the answer to the question of whether Wenger will buy is a resounding yes. He will buy talent and sell deadwood in a move that will please fans and shareholders alike.
As exciting as it would be to see a few more big names at The Emirates next season, Wenger will always be frugal, and will never buy more than he requires. His knowledge of world football and consistently astute dealings mean that Wenger will always bring in top players for relatively low cost.
However, with Man City and Chelsea likely to spend £100M each this summer, will Wenger’s thriftiness mean another season without silverware? If so, we could be saying au revoir to Le Professor come summer 2013.
Do you think Wenger’s lack of excessive spending will eventually cost him?
Arsenal’s season by season spending breakdown over the past five years: 07/08= £26M, 08/09= £35M, 09/10= £9M, 10/11= £17M, 11/12 = £56M. Total: 143M.
image: © Ronnie Macdonald
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