Whoops, Wenger did it again … and again … and again once
more. It seems to be a perennial occurrence at this point. An early signing to
give fans hope Wenger is finally changing his ways and then dawdling for the
rest of the summer. One or two stinging losses, like 2-0 to West Ham, 8-2 to
United or 4-3 at home to Liverpool and the checkbook will finally emerge from
its dusty vault. Last year, it didn’t and one wonders if Wenger will still
eschew the two signings he clearly needs to compete with enemies old and new
that seem to be strengthening from week to week. This is particularly true of
his archrival Mourinho, who, with the exception of last summer after a title
tilt, seems to get his business done early and effectively each summer. Sure
there was the protracted negotiations to bring in the most expensive signing
ever, but unless you bite a player for the third time at a World Cup, those
moves always take time. And the new United boss might still be in the market,
with rumors he might steal teen sensation Barbosa from under the noses of some
of the biggest clubs in the world.
Back to Arsenal, though. Having controlled the vast majority
of the first half and led even after Walcott inexplicably took the penalty he
garnered and missed it, they again conceded right on the cusp of halftime.
Heading into the locker 1-1, they must have sensed they could still squeak out
three points at home. However, an offensive explosion and some questionable
defending across the backline and Arsenal were suddenly in a 4-1 hole. They
made the game interesting with two goals to draw to 4-3 but seemed to run out
of fizz for the last 23 minutes and ultimately lost for the third time in four
years in their home opener. Even with that shambolic defending, Wenger is
haggling over the price of the best central defender available – Shoran Mustafi
of Valencia. Arsenal have bid 20 million pounds but El Che want closer to 30.
Given the long term absence of the aging Mertesacker, the suspect defending of
injured Gabriel and the Championship level quality of Holding, just splash the
cash! But Wenger is stubborn and might again believe he can prove the pundits
wrong.
That might also be the case at striker, continuing to rely
on a guy that will never deliver the title to North London. Giroud has moments
of brilliance and adds an aerial threat to a side that hasn’t had one since at
least Van Persie left, but he is not the right striker for this team any
longer. He doesn’t have the pace to beat EPL defenders and has long patches
where he goes wanting in front of goal. He, Walcott and the oft-injured Welbeck
are wasting the talent of the most creative player in England, Ozil, and one
wonders how much longer he will sit back and watch those around him fumble away
chance after chance. Sanchez too has shown consistently that he is a much
better player on the left wing than through the middle, hamstrung by having to
play with his back to the goal. And so the need that has gone unfilled for over
four years now continues to be an issue for a team that might be the most
creative in the entire league. There was the failed attempt to bring in James
Vardy, but one always wondered if he was the right player for the system.
Lacazette seems among the best options available, but as has become his habit,
Wenger appears unwilling to spend the money to complete the deal. He’s already
missed out on Higuain and a host of others and time is running short. There is
still the possibility of bringing in Morata, but is Wenger really willing to
spend the necessary funds, and are Real really tempted to sell (particularly
after letting Jesse go)?
In the end, we Gooners find ourselves where we do every
season, wondering if Wenger will ever learn from past mistakes. The signings of
Ozil, Sanchez and Cech showed a new resolve to change his ways, but they were
never followed up with the necessary reinforcements to make the team complete.
Last season might have been the biggest slap in the face yet, as the Gunners missed
out on their best chance to win the league in 11 years by failing to complete
the two signings – a defensive midfielder and striker – needed to keep up their
title charge throughout the season. Looking back, after beating Leicester with
a last second Welbeck goal, the future looked bright. But Giroud continued his
scoring slump and the opportunity was lost. Wenger has admitted to feeling
guilty about letting Leicester pip us to the crown, but admission of guilt only
goes so far after over a decade in decline. The early signing of Xhaka this
summer seemed to indicate Wenger learned from his mistake last summer, as the
only team in the top five European leagues not to sign an outfield player, but
the summer has worn on, the injury crisis at the back has deepened and nothing
has been done to resolve it. How much more can we take?
Wenger will make excuses, as he is so apt to do, but maybe,
just maybe, he will finally come good with the two signings that can allow us
to compete with the improved City, Chelsea, United and Liverpool sides. I
wouldn’t be willing to bet on it, but a Gooner can dream …
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