Arsenal: Wissam Ben-Yedder Snub Makes No Sense

Arsenal has seen many a player pass under their nose this summer. Most have made sense. Wissam Ben-Yedder is one that doesn’t.

Give me the name of any player that has moved this summer and I can give you at least one reason why Arsenal passed.

Higuain? His price tag was based off of one good year. His token inconsistency is not enough to merit the price of his release clause.

Batshuayi? Too unproven to merit his price tag. So far from a guarantee.

N’Golo Kante? Arsenal had already landed Granit Xhaka and with talent galore in the midfield, another would have been a bit much.

Mats Hummels? This one is tough, but maybe his snakelike behavior at Dortmund was enough. Plus, Wenger didn’t identify central defense as a need back then.

Ben-Yedder? I have no damn clue.

Seriously, what do we lose by signing him? I don’t care if you don’t think he was the striker that Arsenal needs, you still have to admit that signing a French striker who has been as consistent as they come, has accounted for 40% of his team’s goals while almost single-handedly keeping them in Ligue 1, for less than £8m would have been a good deal.

Tell me how that’s a bad deal. Someone.

If you don’t think he was what we were looking for, that’s fine. But sign him anyway and then go after another striker. It’s such a bargain with absolutely no drawbacks. If he pans out, you’re a genius and you don’t need another striker. If he doesn’t, he’s only 25, give him time to acclimate. If he never does, which is incredibly unlikely, then you’re out £8m. Oh no.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

Before I continue my rant, I suppose I should pass on the news that most of you have already heard. Ben-Yedder will be moving to Sevilla for a fee of £7.6m. Literally, that’s it. And just like that, I’m irate at Arsene Wenger again.

How do you let this guy go? There are no strikers out there that are looking very plausible right now. None. There is a significant risk that Wenger will not spend big on a striker. Ben-Yedder was the best cheap alternative. Even Arek Milik is supposedly going to cost £30m now. Every single striker is overpriced and the one striker in the world that is ridiculously under-priced was just allowed to go to Sevilla.

What do we chalk this up to? Arrogance or confidence? Did Wenger see Arsenal as too good for Ben-Yedder? Was he not worthy of Arsenal’s time? Or is Wenger so confident that he can land Lacazette or some unknown striker from a galaxy far, far away that he just let the deal go? It’s like Wenger won’t pay the price for established names but he won’t take the risk of potential breakout stars. It’s just like with Michy Batshuayi. When he was first leaving Standard Liege, Wenger could have signed him. But he didn’t. Same thing with Ben-Yedder.

Next: Arsenal's Predicted Opening Day XI

It is thoroughly confusing. If price is the primary objective, which it clearly is given Wenger’s statements, then why not utilize the cheap option? Even if most people don’t agree with it, it’s an option, and that’s more than nothing.

Home/Arsenal Transfer Rumours