The Frenchman's indecision over a number of
top summer targets has left both fans and club
officials frustrated, with the Gunners yet to
complete a major deal this window
SPECIAL REPORT
By Wayne Veysey
This was the summer it would all be different.
With an estimated €116 million transfer kitty securing a
diamond-crusted path to the top table hosting Europe's
most cash-rich clubs, Arsenal were no longer gazing
enviously at the elite.
Finally, London's most successful club could negotiate
on equal terms with the continent's financial
superpowers when it came to signing the world's top
players.
Bona fide stars Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, Gonzalo
Higuain, Marouane Fellaini and Cesc Fabregas, whose
fees would all comfortably smash the €23m barrier and
Arsenal's transfer record, have all been the subject of
serious and sustained interest. Indeed, all of them
remain targets.
While chief executive Ivan Gazidis was so comfortable
with the club's enhanced fiscal muscle this summer that
he was content to flex it during a Q&A session with
supporters in early June.
Asked if Arsenal were now potentially in a position to
pay a €29m transfer fee and wages of €230,000 a
week for one player, Gazidis said: "Of course we could
do that. We could do more than that".
Yet in the eight weeks since the end of the last domestic
season and the opening of the Premier League transfer
window, the sole new arrival is Yaya Sanogo, a France
Under-21 striker who was signed on a free after
running down his contract at Auxerre.
So, why are Arsenal two days into their pre-season tour
of Asia and still without a senior signing?
Speak to senior sources about Arsenal recruitment and
they reveal that the power rests principally with one
man - Wenger. As one figure told Goal, "The problem is
that Arsene dithers and changes his mind all the time".
Arsenal fans who have suffered an eight-year trophy
drought and saw their team claim a Champions League
place only by the skin of their teeth for the second
consecutive year are bewildered and frustrated at this
lack of action.
They have watched Liverpool recruit four new players in
a week, Manchester City spend upwards of €58m on
two marquee signings and Tottenham outlay up to
€20m on a hugely promising Brazilian.
Even Southampton and Swansea City have broken their
respective transfer records in capturing Victor
Wanyama and Wilfried Bony respectively.
With the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal's history
burning a hole in the well tailored pocket of Wenger,
the call for a tangible return is deafening.
With established management, scouting and executive
departments in place at the Emirates Stadium, there
appeared no obvious obstacles to a series of early,
statement signings. What better demonstration of a
club's ambition than a press conference in late May
unveiling a marquee player?
Yet there has been no repeat of last year's activity,
when Arsenal announced as early as April 30 they had
reached an agreement with Cologne to buy Lukas
Podolski.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have actually been an active
player in this summer's market. Behind the scenes there
have been a whirlwind of enquiries, bids and
negotiations with selling clubs.
As well as pursuing the current list of top summer
targets, the Gunners had laid the groundwork for major
signings, most principally Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic and
Swansea's Ashley Williams.
In romance terms, Arsenal have teased, flirted and
shown a bit of skirt. But they have not been able to
formalise any relationships.
In the era of Twitter and social media frenzy, the blame
game has been in overdrive. Fingers have variously
been pointed at Wenger, Gazidis, contract negotiator
Dicky Law, owner Stan Kroenke, the board of directors,
the scouting network and even the journalists reporting
and uncovering the the negotiations. Moreover, few top
clubs are more secretive than Arsenal.
Wenger's habit of U-turning is known to infuriate many
of those who work closely with him on signing players,
but despite Arsenal's lengthy trophyless run, the
manager retains almost unparalleled power.
Higuain would now be an Arsenal player had Wenger
not baulked at paying Real Madrid an extra €2.3m and
decided that, if he was going to spend a €29m fee, he
may as well do so on Suarez, who he regards as a player
of even greater quality.
Fellaini would also be an Arsenal player if Wenger
sanctioned the €116,000-a-week contract that the
player's camp feel he is entitled to. The Gunners have so
far offered merely to match his €87,000-a-week
Everton deal.
The list goes on. Supporters must dig deep into their
reservoirs of patience and hope the club will deliver.
top summer targets has left both fans and club
officials frustrated, with the Gunners yet to
complete a major deal this window
SPECIAL REPORT
By Wayne Veysey
This was the summer it would all be different.
With an estimated €116 million transfer kitty securing a
diamond-crusted path to the top table hosting Europe's
most cash-rich clubs, Arsenal were no longer gazing
enviously at the elite.
Finally, London's most successful club could negotiate
on equal terms with the continent's financial
superpowers when it came to signing the world's top
players.
Bona fide stars Luis Suarez, Wayne Rooney, Gonzalo
Higuain, Marouane Fellaini and Cesc Fabregas, whose
fees would all comfortably smash the €23m barrier and
Arsenal's transfer record, have all been the subject of
serious and sustained interest. Indeed, all of them
remain targets.
While chief executive Ivan Gazidis was so comfortable
with the club's enhanced fiscal muscle this summer that
he was content to flex it during a Q&A session with
supporters in early June.
Asked if Arsenal were now potentially in a position to
pay a €29m transfer fee and wages of €230,000 a
week for one player, Gazidis said: "Of course we could
do that. We could do more than that".
Yet in the eight weeks since the end of the last domestic
season and the opening of the Premier League transfer
window, the sole new arrival is Yaya Sanogo, a France
Under-21 striker who was signed on a free after
running down his contract at Auxerre.
So, why are Arsenal two days into their pre-season tour
of Asia and still without a senior signing?
Speak to senior sources about Arsenal recruitment and
they reveal that the power rests principally with one
man - Wenger. As one figure told Goal, "The problem is
that Arsene dithers and changes his mind all the time".
Arsenal fans who have suffered an eight-year trophy
drought and saw their team claim a Champions League
place only by the skin of their teeth for the second
consecutive year are bewildered and frustrated at this
lack of action.
They have watched Liverpool recruit four new players in
a week, Manchester City spend upwards of €58m on
two marquee signings and Tottenham outlay up to
€20m on a hugely promising Brazilian.
Even Southampton and Swansea City have broken their
respective transfer records in capturing Victor
Wanyama and Wilfried Bony respectively.
With the biggest transfer kitty in Arsenal's history
burning a hole in the well tailored pocket of Wenger,
the call for a tangible return is deafening.
With established management, scouting and executive
departments in place at the Emirates Stadium, there
appeared no obvious obstacles to a series of early,
statement signings. What better demonstration of a
club's ambition than a press conference in late May
unveiling a marquee player?
Yet there has been no repeat of last year's activity,
when Arsenal announced as early as April 30 they had
reached an agreement with Cologne to buy Lukas
Podolski.
Nevertheless, Arsenal have actually been an active
player in this summer's market. Behind the scenes there
have been a whirlwind of enquiries, bids and
negotiations with selling clubs.
As well as pursuing the current list of top summer
targets, the Gunners had laid the groundwork for major
signings, most principally Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic and
Swansea's Ashley Williams.
In romance terms, Arsenal have teased, flirted and
shown a bit of skirt. But they have not been able to
formalise any relationships.
In the era of Twitter and social media frenzy, the blame
game has been in overdrive. Fingers have variously
been pointed at Wenger, Gazidis, contract negotiator
Dicky Law, owner Stan Kroenke, the board of directors,
the scouting network and even the journalists reporting
and uncovering the the negotiations. Moreover, few top
clubs are more secretive than Arsenal.
Wenger's habit of U-turning is known to infuriate many
of those who work closely with him on signing players,
but despite Arsenal's lengthy trophyless run, the
manager retains almost unparalleled power.
Higuain would now be an Arsenal player had Wenger
not baulked at paying Real Madrid an extra €2.3m and
decided that, if he was going to spend a €29m fee, he
may as well do so on Suarez, who he regards as a player
of even greater quality.
Fellaini would also be an Arsenal player if Wenger
sanctioned the €116,000-a-week contract that the
player's camp feel he is entitled to. The Gunners have so
far offered merely to match his €87,000-a-week
Everton deal.
The list goes on. Supporters must dig deep into their
reservoirs of patience and hope the club will deliver.
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