Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has told Geoff Shreeves on Sky Sports he was surprised to hear about the “huge resources” made available to current boss Mikel Arteta during the transfer window.
The legendary Frenchman left the Gunners at the end of the 2017/18 season and Arsenal have had to go through a lot since. Unai Emery was brought in as Wenger’s successor, and it’s fair to say things didn’t work out.
The Spaniard was sacked little more than three months after the start of last season. Arteta, Wenger’s former skipper, was appointed in December, and Arsenal have looked a different side since.
The Gunners have won the FA Cup and Community Shield under their new manager, while Arteta was royally backed by the board in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal signed Willian, Gabriel Magalhaes, Alex Runarsson and Thomas Partey. The Gunners also extended Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract while making loan deals for Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares permanent.
All those deals are worth a lot of money and it shows Arteta has the trust of Arsenal’s owners.
Wenger was asked if he thinks his former club could win the league this season, and the Frenchman claimed it’s a serious possibility, while having what some Arsenal fans perceive as a subtle dig at Stan Kroenke and the board.
He said: “I genuinely believe yes, because (Arteta) looks to have a good grip on the team. They follow well, they are with him. We have bought well, spent a lot of money in the last two years.
“Suddenly we discovered huge resources – that was quite surprising. I think he has the quantity and quality of players, yes we can go for it. Why not?”
It’s no surprise Wenger backed his former club to succeed but his resources comment tickled a few fans.
Some felt it was a subtle dig at Kroenke, who wasn’t known for spending big while Wenger was at the helm.
Here’s how some of them reacted on Twitter
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