Arsenal have had a pretty drab transfer window once again as they haven’t been able to strengthen their squad.
Let’s look at the three reasons the Gunners’ transfer business isn’t good enough for a top-four finish next season.
Fellow clubs thriving
Every Premier League club from top to bottom, especially the top six in Tottenham Hotspur and both Manchester clubs, have strengthened their squad by signing good players, with Liverpool being an exception.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have been linked with a plethora of players, but the club don’t have the money to bring their top targets to the Emirates – Kieran Tierney and Wilfried Zaha being two prime examples.
When it comes to selling players, the north London outfit have again generated no significant funds to boost their transfer budget with most of their players leaving as free agents (David Ospina being an exception).
The Colombian moved to the Serie A club Napoli, where he spent the last season on loan in a deal worth €3.5 million.
No marquee arrival so far
Although Gunners have signed a promising teenager in Gabriel Martinelli at a pretty economical price of €6.7 million, it’s highly unlikely that the young winger will play a significant role next season.
The 18-year-old comes from Brazil and is expected to take his fair share of time to adjust to life in Europe.
With around 15 days left in the transfer window, Arsenal’s lack of ambition in the transfer market is worrying.
Lack of replacements
There were some key departures from Emirates at the end of last season. Aaron Ramsey, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Danny Welbeck, and Petr Cech are no longer at the club.
Arsenal have lost valuable experience and quality, and haven’t replaced them yet, something that is baffling with only a fortnight or so left in the transfer window.
Laurent Koscielny, who did not travel with the team on their pre-season tour, is unsettled as well, and is highly likely to move away in the coming days.
With injuries to Rob Holding and Hector Bellerin, the Gunners back-line look thinner than ever, and lack of signings might leave them open against even mid-table opposition next season.