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Should We Be Satisfied With Arsene Wenger’s Anthony Martial Excuse?
By Josh Sippie
Arsene Wenger has braved the media following his silence on transfer deadline day. After being highly criticized by Gunner supporters worldwide, some even going as far as attempting to organize protests, Arsene Wenger spoke out about his transfer policy.
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His statements hold to what he had been saying the whole time. He was not going to spend just to spend and the availability was incredibly limited. To exemplify why he would not engage in over-the-top bidding, he called on Manchester United as an example:
“What happened last night with Monaco, who sold Martial to Manchester United for 80 million euros – Martial scored 11 goals in the French championship – that sums it up well. That means it’s not the money that’s missing at the moment, it’s not the desire of investment that is missing, it’s the number of players available who can strengthen the big clubs.”
Manchester United is sputtering just as badly as Arsenal when it comes to scoring goals and they too, were exhausted for options. They needed a striker to lead their line. Unfortunately for them, and also for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal, Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani and the like were not readily available.
Instead, United turned their cash to a 19-year old striker by the name of Anthony Martial. Martial had been an Arsenal target as well, but the Monaco forward was not going to be the subject of a huge cash deposit from the Gunners.
At a time of dry supply, Arsene Wenger pointed to United’s £36 million splurge on Martial as the only proof he needed that he had no options.
While it still is not an argument-ending excuse, there is a ton of credibility in his statements. Spending £36 million for a 19 year old is ridiculous. There is no arguing that and we should never expect Wenger to do similar.
To add credit to its ridiculousness, Alexis Sanchez cost £35 million pound a year ago. That is an immense testament to the availability in this transfer market and the price that had to be paid for that quality.
It even came out that Arsene Wenger was going to spend near £20 million for Zaza Simone. That is not a fee that Wenger should have to dish out for a striker of the quality of Zaza. While everyone would have welcomed the signing, particularly now that Danny Welbeck is injured, it should not have cost that much.
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In Manchester United’s signing of Martial, we see desperation. Martial was one of the only available striking options and Monaco knew that as well as United did. The price tag was unreasonable but Louis van Gaal felt there was no option.
Arsene Wenger, on the other hand, valued his options. He has the faith in his team to make it through a time of struggle whereas van Gaal hit the panic button and betrayed his faith in his current squad.
Either way may work out or neither way may work out. Arsenal’s striking options are in far better condition than United’s, even with the Red Devils acquisition of Matrial. That in and of itself is a testament to why Wenger should not have splurged on a 19 year old.
Next: Grading Arsenal's transfer ins and outs