Would Arsenal have been better off with a Pogba-like marquee signing?

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Paul Pogba moved to Manchester United for a fee of £89 million, while Arsenal signed three top-class players for a similar amount.

Manchester United’s Paul Pogba

In a transfer window where over £1 billion has been spent, some clubs have performed rather better in the market than others.

The biggest deal of the summer (and of all-time) was Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United for a reported £89 million.

Arsenal did their usual in making a signing early on with the £34 million acquisition of Granit Xhaka, and then proceeded to flounder for the next two months before spending £52 million on the penultimate day of the transfer window bringing in Shkodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez.

Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka

So the question is, who got the better deal? And would Arsenal fans have preferred a marquee signing in the vein of Pogba, or a collection of very strong additions like the ones they have made?

Arsenal are undoubtedly a stronger outfit now than when they finished the 2015/16 Premier League campaign.

Xhaka has the potential to become a world-class player.

He is a more athletic, aggressive version of Mikel Arteta, with a wonderful range of passing, and leadership skills that defy his years.

Shkodran Mustafi in action for Germany

Mustafi was another signing that Arsenal desperately needed, even before the injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel. He is a proven, top-class performer with international pedigree and should form a formidable centre-back partnership with Laurent Koscielny.

Then there is Lucas Perez. After Arsenal’s failed bid for Jamie Vardy, it is clear the Spaniard was not first choice, but for once, the Gunners had a Plan B, or even Plan C, in place and brought in the 27-year-old from Deportivo La Coruna.

It could be argued that Arsene Wenger has plugged every hole in his squad that needed filling, and when his injured players return, he will once again have a squad capable of challenging for the league title.

While Paul Pogba is a world-class player who would improve any side, Arsenal fans can be quietly confident about their prospects this season, and consider their club’s performance in the transfer window a resounding success.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger