Arsenal: Toprak And Kjaer Stink Of Panic Buy

Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing either Omer Toprak or Simon Kjaer. Both moves reek of panic as Arsene Wenger scrambles for reinforcements.

As the dust of the disappointing and frustrating 4-3 loss to Liverpool that everyone bar Arsene Wenger could see coming from a mile off settles, much of the fallout is focused on the lack of transfer activity from Arsenal, especially at centre-half.

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The name that has been talked about most is Shkodran Mustafi but as time passes, that deal is seemingly more and more less likely to be completed (shock!!). The need for a centre-half, though, is as clear as ever, so much so that even the blind and naive Wenger seems to accept that reinforcements are needed.

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Consequently, recent reports now state that, instead of focusing all his attention on acquiring the services of a 24 German international who is renowned as a top class defender with experience of English football, Wenger may turn to Omer Toprak or Simon Kjaer as he is unwilling to stump up the necessary cash to sign Mustafi.

While neither Toprak or Kjaer are bad players or even bad signings, the whole saga stinks of panic. Everyone, from fans to pundits to their dogs knew that Arsenal needed investment in the centre-half position before the summer transfer window begun. Now, after a spate of injuries, the need has only been accentuated, and it seems that only now, is Wenger willing to accept that he must spend.

That is poor management. I am still a member of the “In Arsene we trust” brigade – though my trust is wavering somewhat – but that does not mean he is not exempt from criticism. Wenger is experienced and knowledgeable enough, or at least I thought he was, to realise that these players are neceassary investments, even at such inflated prices.

Wenger, though, seems so reactive in his management. He is never on the front foot, being proactive in his decision making, solving problems before they arise. He waits for trouble to strike, and then is forced to, in panic, try and solve such issues. That is excactly what the prospective additions of Simon Kjaer and Omer Toprak feel like.

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Those deals were not planned by Wenger before the summer. They are off the cuff, ‘I’m in trouble and I desperately need some help’ type of additions. They are the embodiment of Arsene Wenger’s panic, and that is never a good thing.