Desperate Wenger signings are not enough

Just when you thought Arsene Wenger would seize the opportunity to go out and prove all the doubters wrong… he panicked.

With 60 million pounds banked from the sales of star men Samir Nasri and Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal fans were desperate for Wenger to go out and make a big splash in the market on players capable of replacing the gaping hole left by the exits of such star men.

What they got was nowhere near enough to fill the void.

South Korean forward Park Chu-Young arrived from Monaco on Monday for £3million – just for the record Monaco were relegated last season with the forward managing a whopping 12 goals last season. Wenger is taking a punt and hoping he gets some return on a minimal investment.

And if that was thoroughly underwhelming for Arsenal fans they must be totally unimpressed by Wenger’s last day desperation punts.

The first signing of the day was Andre Santos. A 28-year old Brazilian left wing-back from Fenerbache who has spent only two seasons playing European football, albeit in Turkey, where he managed 50 appearances and ten goals in two seasons. Either he is a dead ball specialist, his recent penalty in the Copa America for Brazil suggest he isn’t, or he spends a lot of time in the opponents half, which his recent displays for Brazil suggests he does. Arsenal fans primary gripe with Clichy was that he was out of position a lot. If I was them I wouldn’t be holding my breath on Santos being an improvement in that department.

Wenger’s best bit of business of the day was signing a much needed centre back. Per Mertesacker arrived from Werder Bremen after years of on and off rumours about Arsenal’s interest in the 75-capped German international. There have been questions in the past about his pace and mobility but he has improved with experience as seen in last summer’s World Cup and at 6 foot 6 will provide a much needed presence at the centre of Arsenal’s defence. Congratulations Arsene – you signed a decent centre half. At last.

With the clock ticking and still no replacements for Nasri or Fabregas the last minute desperation kicked in. Out of nowhere Arsenal were in for Mikel Arteta and within 6-hours he had signed a 4 year deal. The Everton midfielder was a hot property a few seasons ago but his career has been blighted by injuries and his productivity has tailed off as a result. In his seven seasons at Everton, the Spaniard averaged 24 appearances per season which surely is a massive red flag. Wenger’s side will be looking to play well over 50 league and cup games this season for it to be a success so signing a player who has managed over 30 games once (35 in 06/07) for a fee around £10 million pounds is very much a gamble. And that isn’t even taking into account the fact that he probably is not good enough for the level Arsenal are striving to reach anyway.

A few weeks back, reports suggested Wenger had missed out on signing Spanish winger Juan Mata because he failed to meet a clause in his contract in time. Last week Chelsea signed Mata for £25 million – a touch over the price Manchester City paid for Nasri – and yesterday they found it within their hearts to lend Arsenal Yossi Benayoun for the season, the man who Mata effectively replaced at Stamford Bridge. Benayoun has been a bit part player everywhere he has been – used as an effective squad player and making a lot of substitute appearances – well until he signed for Chelsea at least. Wenger has broken his usual mould by signing the 31 – year old on loan and it strikes of desperation. 

Chelsea’s willingness to lend Arsenal players indicates how far the Gunners stock has fallen and the lack of threat the other title challengers feel Arsenal now pose. Chu-Young, Santos, Arteta and Benayoun were not the names on any Arsenal fans lips when they lost Fabregas and Nasri and rightly so. 

They emphasise the fact that Arsenal have gone from being title contenders last February to Champions league also rans and the rash nature of Wenger’s signings show he has gone from being a thoughtful, considered manager in the transfer market to one panicking and rushing through deals for players with major risks attached. 

Wenger is gambling with the future of a club he spent so many years building and it remains to be seen if he has done enough to cover the losses the club have experienced this summer.