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Anthony Martial Remarks Make Arsene Wenger Look A Fool
By Josh Sippie
Anthony Martial is making quite the splash at Manchester United, leading many to wonder if Arsenal missed out.
In case you missed the memo, Arsenal did not sign a striker in the transfer window. To say it caused outrage would be fairly accurate. Arsenal is confined to more time with Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott leading the line. Rumor has it Danny Welbeck is here as well.
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Despite the rumors, we do not have Karim Benzema, Edinson Cavani or Gonzalo Higuain. Neither does anyone new. The three heavily linked strikers did not move, lending credence to the claim that they were not available. In fact, only one striker did come to a big name Premier League side. Of course, he may not even be a striker, depending on who you ask.
Anthony Martial came to Manchester United in a big money deal. And by big money, we are talking bigger money than Benzema, Cavani, or Higuain were going to cost. £36 million pounds, which could turn into £56 million by the end of it all, for a 19 year old. That is usually not a wise choice.
Initially, however, Anthony Martial’s return has been really good for United. It has lead many around Arsenal to question if we missed out on a potential star. He has scored 3 goals and added an assist to boot (via WhoScored.com). That was all from 5 games. Plus, he seems to have single-handedly ended United’s scoring problem (albeit the opposition was questionable). As a 19-year old, that is quite the return. So, Arsene Wenger, why did you not go after Martial? Because he is “more of a winger-type”.
Arsene Wenger also pointed out that Monaco made it clear that he was not available. Two strikes for Wenger, it seems. The only thing playing in his favor is an outrageous price tag.
Let’s address the first strike: Availability. He was available. The end.
Let’s address the second strike. He is a winger. That is debatable in and of itself. Even so, when has that ever stopped Arsene Wenger in the past? Thierry Henry? Theo Walcott? Both he converted into strikers. One of which worked out rather positively, one of which is still a work in progress. Why would Anthony Martial be any different?
I am usually one to defend Arsene Wenger, but I cannot do that here. These excuses are completely ridiculous. Neither one of them is a valid excuse and do more to condemn his transfer policy than defend it. I’m no supporter of spending that much on a 19 year old but if we are to believe Arsene Wenger, and that he is willing to spend money on ‘exceptional’ talents, then doesn’t this sort of negate his claim?
5 games is a small sample size, granted. But if Anthony Martial puts in even 20 goals this season across all competitions, then Arsene Wenger has made a mistake. He will never admit that it was a mistake, though. He will point to Danny Welbeck’s return as his ‘striker transfer equivalent.’
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Even if Arsenal do not technically ‘need’ a striker (which they might), why pass up on a talent such Anthony Martial? Wenger has said that he has followed Martial since he was a kid. To that remark, Martial’s agent said “in football, there are those who follow players and those who buy them.” He is absolutely right. Wenger may have a fantastic scouting network and he may know every player in Europe down to what color sock they prefer to wear on Tuesdays, but if you never act on that knowledge, what good is it?
There is no guarantee that Anthony Martial is the next Thierry Henry. We will probably never see the next Thierry Henry. But by passing on just about everyone, how will you ever know?
It is too early to judge if we will rue the decision to pass on Anthony Martial. But the overlying message here is pretty obvious. Wenger is OCD when it comes to transfers. He will always have an excuse for not signing someone. If Benzema had gone to United instead, he would have been ready with something. It is frustrating. Was the price tag too high? Probably. But what if he goes on to become the next great thing. Then we will look back and say the price tag was just right.