Arsenal: Grading Last Season’s Transfers

We are now into the Summer months and the downtime of the season, but before we move on from last year, we grade the transfer dealings of Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal are quickly heading into the 2016 season with last year’s disappointments in the rear view mirror. In doing so, they have signed Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach, released Tomas Rosicky, Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini and are now looking to challenge for the Premier League title once again.

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Unlike Arsenal’s hastiness in their preparations for next year, however, here at Pain in the Arsenal, we are still reflecting on the disappointing end to the season. The frailties that showed themselves the close the year are much to do with the transfer activity, or lack thereof, that preceded them. So, in the age of grades and evaluation, here are the Pain in the Arsenal grades for Wenger’s transfers last season:

Petr Cech – Chelsea to Arsenal – £10m – A+

This is an outstanding signing. Not only have Arsenal needed a goal keeper for years, but they were able to sign a world class keeper with plenty of years in the tank and from a direct rival. Now, that is good business.

With David Ospina and Wojceich Szczesny heading up the goal keeping options before the season started, Arsene Wenger seemed keen to bring in a true number one option to elevate Arsenal from perennial fourth place finishers to title challengers.

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Arsenal have often suffered from defensive frailties. These weaknesses can stem from the relationship between a keeper and his two center halves. It is crucial that the three have a sound and trusting relationship, a confidence in the abilities of the other. While Ospina and Szczesny are good goalkeepers, they do not instill an unwavering confidence in the rest of the squad.

Petr Cech, however, with his knowledge, experience and track record oozes calmness. He exudes an aura of control, commanding his area excellently, reliable in coming for corners and crosses and a decent shot stopper. All this for £10 million is an absolute no-brainer for the Gunner, and Wenger deserves the highest grade there is for bringing him to the Emirates.

Mohammed Elneny – Basel to Arsenal – £5 million – E

If I was writing this piece only last week, this would receive a much higher grade, perhaps a B. However, I am writing this in the aftermath of Arsenal  making Elneny’s transfer a little confusing.

Xhaka, for all intents and purposes, is a better version of Elneny. A combative central midfielder who likes to get forward, but will also not neglect defensive duties in doing so. Xhaka, having been signed  for a reported fee of £30 million, will likely come into the squad as the first team option alongside Cazorla, Coquelin and Ozil.

This leaves very little need for someone like Elneny. He is not a direct replacement for Coquelin, who is much more of a defensive minded player, will still be behind Wilshere and Ramsey in the pecking order and is unlikely to see much playing time bar a horrific run of injuries.

That means that the only reason to sign him, if Xhaka was always the long term plan – which seems as if it was seeing as Arsenal have been tracking him for some time – is for an immediate impact to help win a trophy. Unfortunately, as well all know, Arsenal did not win a trophy, and although Elneny played well in patches, he simply didn’t show enough qualities to be deemed a regular, first team player.

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The price, however, is excellent. For a solid squad player, someone who can contribute in cup competitions and on a rotational basis, £5 million is a bargain. However, squad players is not what Arsenal require. They require world class contributors, something that Elneny is not.