Updated: January 2019

Did Arsenal and Wenger have a good summer transfer window?

3 January 2019

This summer transfer window has been like no under. The suspense and thrill as September 1st approached were rattling. The gimmicks and mind games between teams were exciting. The money was flowing. In Paris, it was a flood of pounds. Over 200 million pounds went for Neymar while another 180 million pounds followed for Mbappe. Barca would reciprocate with the snatching of Dembele from Dortmund to reinforce a weakened front line. Some teams won while some lost in the window. Where would you place Arsenal? Did they win or did they lose?

Last season the Arsenal attack was controversially deficient. Giroud seemed to be bereft of the aggressive and finishing powers that could power Arsenal to a trophy challenge. The fact that he was deputized by an unproven Welbeck and inconsistent Walcott made the pains for Arsenal fans more biting. Therefore it was a big relief when Arsene Wenger brought in Lacazette at the start of the window. Arsenal fans could then dream of a goal party with the Frenchman enigmatically donning the number 9. At left back, Arsenal also brought in Kalinic. Kalinic was one of the star performers in left back in the German league last season.

By the end of the season, Arsenal has managed to retain Ozil, Sanchez, Wilshere, even Sanchez despite the exit of Chamberlain. But it is in keeping Sanchez that Arsenal could fall to a loss. Sanchez was a star performer last season for Arsenal, scoring a tasty total of 30 goals in all competitions. It is right he saddled Arsenal on his shoulder and fought like the fierce South American warrior he is. But he couldn’t make a forest being just one gigantic tree. By the end, Arsenal was dumped out of the title race, the champions league and the next champions league. Sanchez being a man for the big stage was justified to look for greener pastures. ManCity was his ready escape.

All summer, Man City weren’t whispering their interest in Sanchez, they were screaming it. There is no secret of the flames of attraction burning between Guardiola and Sanchez. Their time together in Barcelona was a romantic one that brings good memories for both the Chilean and Catalan. Sanchez is justified to be lost in the pleasurable fantasy of linking up back with Guardiola. The two would quickly reignite their collaborative spark and go on to do big thing together. There is little doubt about the fact that Sanchez could finally reach the trophies that miserably eluded him in his time in Arsenal. But Wenger was having none of it. All through the window, he was boldly screaming “Se Queda” in English (he stays).

Sanchez clearly wanted to leave and made it clear to Arsene Wenger. Yet Pharaoh  Arsene Wenger stubbornly released to let the Israelites leave Egypt. However, experience has shown the danger of keeping a negative player around your team. Sanchez for all the talents he has is a negative player for Arsenal since he doesn’t want to be there. Finding the motivation to give his best for the Arsenal shirt would be very hard. Even worse he may infest the dressing room with his disinterest and quench an already dying fighting spirit in the team. Wenger knew this danger hence on deadline day he was ready to bring out €90m for Monaco’s Thomas Lemar and finally let Sanchez go to Man City. But it was too late and Monaco rightly refused the deal hence Sanchez had to be kept back in Arsenal.

 

Now Arsenal is keeping a frustrated and angry player. Sanchez’s best is no longer assured for Arsenal in addition that they would still lose a player of his sparkling class for free next summer. That means Arsenal is losing at both ends. Having said this, do you still think Arsenal had a successful transfer window?

 

Alexis Sanchez is 2/5 with Paddy Power to sign to stay at Arsenal before 3rd February 2018