beIN SPORTS

By Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven)

When Arsene Wenger was rumbled over his then record move for Mesut Ozil three years ago he could barely hide it from his face. A smirk spread across the Frenchman’s crooked smile as he was asked whether the Gunners would be making any great shakes in the final days of the 2013 summer transfer window, making it obvious that they would. This summer, however, there has been no smirk. 

Indeed, after the £35 million capture of Swiss midfielder Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach Arsenal’s transfer market activity has slowed to a stop. While their Premier League rivals are in the midst of completely overhauling their squads the Gunners are completing an exercise of just more of the same.

Every so often a rumour surfaces, like the one linking Leicester City playmaker Riyad Mahrez with a switch to the Emirates Stadium. Or the ones that continue to speculate that one of either Mauro Icardi or Alexandre Lacazette could be a Gooner by the time the 2016/17 Premier League season kicks off. 

But in almost every case such speculation is extinguished, either by Wenger himself or the effects of time that gradually grind it down. Arsenal are the most tediously frustrating club in the land and they are doing very little to dispel that reputation this summer. They are as tedious as ever. 

Wenger is allowing a golden opportunity to pass him by. With the rest of the Premier League in upheaval, Arsenal are arguably the most stable club in England’s top flight. Unlike their rivals, they have a stable platform on which to build. They also have Champions League soccer with which to lure, and yet Wenger seems quite content with what he has.

The club’s fans are certainly not content with what they have. Wenger is only ever one bad result away from supporters’ protests regarding his position at Arsenal, with tension at the Emirates Stadium heightening with every passing season. The 2016/17 campaign could see a breaking point finally reached.

Conversely, it could also provide Wenger with vindication, but he must change his ways this summer in order to achieve that. There is no doubt that Arsenal have a strong squad. But there are key positions where they are lacking. With some elite strengthening in certain areas they would be considered among the title frontrunners in the Premier League this season. 

It’s in central defence and attack that they are lacking most. They have quality in those areas, with Laurent Koscielny and Olivier Giroud both of a high caliber, but if Arsenal are to win the biggest trophies in English soccer once again they need the best players in English soccer. They need players who can carry those ambitions almost on their own. 

Someone like Gonzalo Higuain or Lacazette would fit that bill, but in both cases speculation linking Arsenal with them seems to be nothing more than just bluster. Wenger is seemingly unwilling to pay the money needed to sign a truly elite striker, and until he is that will hold back the Gunners as they aim to claim their first league title in over a decade. 

At the back Wenger needs a leader too, but once again he appears reluctant to part with the kind of fee necessary to sign such a player. However, with Per Mertesacker now ruled out for five months through injury Wenger might be forced into making a move for an experienced centre-back before the start of the season. Alternatively, he could stick with Calum Chambers and new signing from Bolton Rob Handling, which would be quintessential Wenger. 

Wenger is one of the sport’s best at making the most of what he has, but imagine what he could do if he gave himself more to work with. He is handicapping himself and Arsenal by sticking so closely to his principles. With just one or two moves this summer everything could change at the Emirates Stadium.