Is Arsene Wenger falling behind rivals already?

A long standing criticism of Arsene Wenger is that he looses ground on his rivals in the transfer market, and it looks like it may happen again. For many years it was the sad duty of an Arsenal fan to watch as some of the big names changed clubs whilst we signed ‘future stars’. I know that some of these will come out as great players, but a lot of the time we don’t strengthen our current XI fast enough. Is this already happening in this transfer window?

Manchester City

Arsenal have always been notoriously slow in the transfer market, but is this the time for change?

City have begun to strengthen their title winning squad already, signing our right back Bacary Sagna on a free transfer and Porto’s midfielder Fernando for around £12m. City have one of the strongest squads around but will need to work very hard to keep hold of or replace Yaya Toure after repeated noises about leaving after reported incidents involving his birthday and the deteriorating condition of his younger brother, who passed away during the World Cup. Strong rumours they are bringing in a few players, but won’t be spending big after FFP restrictions were imposed after infringements over the past few years.

Manchester United

A new look squad is what fans want to see after an awful showing last year. Luke Shaw has been signed in what is almost certainly a decent long term solution to the left back position, and they former champions have also signed Ander Herrera. Herrera is a class midfield option and at 24 certainly has time to mature into a world class midfield option. They have been linked with everyone that’s made noises of a move and they are looking to spend some serious money in an attempt to stop the abject failure of last season.

Liverpool

Liverpool are signing a lot of players, and have started with Southampton’s Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana. Both of these players are unlikely to force their way into the first team but will add much needed squad depth as the team prepares for a Champions League campaign. They look set to lose Luis Suarez but will reinforce with world class players and I think they will do it soon. They will not want to lose out by waiting too long.

Chelsea

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Bayern Strikes

Two transfers, two big players. Mourinho made no secret of what he wanted this year, a dynamic midfielder and a world class striker. On paper he looks like he has got the men he was after, with former Arsenal captain Fabregas leaving Barcelona to join the West London side and Diego Costa leaving the Spanish league to fill the ‘world class’ striker void. I have my doubts about Costa simply after seeming him a few times and an awful display in the World Cup, but then Spain’s entire squad looked dull and pathetic in those three games. Mourinho will get who he wants, nothing more, nothing less.

Arsenal

Arsene Wenger has not made any real signings so far, and I fear he may lose out on his main targets if he waits too long. The signing of Mesut Ozil showed that he was not scared of splashing the cash but he can’t bank on the people he wants still being available at that point of the transfer market again.

I genuinely think we could get left behind again, and I don’t want the difference between a decent title challenge and another 4th spot to be a lack of movement early on in the transfer market. Agree? Or think I’m missing the point? Let us know below or on Facebook, Google+or Twitter.