Arsenal: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Struggles Show Transfer Uncertainty

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is struggling for Manchester United. Such issues show the uncertainty that Arsene Wenger and Arsenal work in, in the transfer window.

The summer transfer window brought with it much debate, uncertainty and frustration. With the fanbase roaring for a striker, Arsenal and Arsene Wenger continually defied the desperate desires of their supporters in spurning opportunities to bring in reinforcements at centre-forward.

However, their defence was that the options simply weren’t available. Jamie Vardy rejected them, the apparent offer for Alexandre Lacazette was unsuccessful and Gonzalo Higuain eventually moved to Juventus for an astronomical £76 million fee that the Gunners were never interested – and would have been stupid to even consider – in matching.

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One option that, when asked about who Arsenal could turn to, was posited was former Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The big Swede was a free agent in the summer, and although many were put off by his age, 34, his quality throughout his career for various clubs in various leagues merited such a suggestion.

However, it was Manchester United that acted fastest in swooping for Zlatan and initial signs suggested that they were right to do so. Praise abounded for the striker, he was scoring goals, linking up with Wayne Rooney wonderfully and coaching the younger forwards in the squad like Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial. Since his bright start, though, things have turned somewhat sour, with a run of one goal in his last 11 games. Ian Wright, after Ibrahimovic’s lacklustre performance against Fenerbahce on Thursday night, slated the Swede, stating:

"“From the start of the season, the only thing keeping him in the team was the fact that he was scoring those goals. His movement has not been great. You look at the way Manchester City are playing, the way Chelsea are playing, Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs, all vibrant, teams with pace and exuberance. And you look at Man United, it’s slow, and he’s got a massive part to play in that. I’ve not seen Ibra play well for 10-15 games, and Man United need it especially the way they are playing.”"

The struggles that Ibrahimovic is suffering indicate the uncertainty of the transfer window. Arsene Wenger came under question for not pursuing the striker with Jose Mourinho sniffing around his services. The lack of investment in the position, even though attempts had been made, frustrated and angered fans, and when a centre-forward was eventually brought to the Emirates, the £17 million addition of Lucas Perez was underwhelming, to say the least.

However, the options simply weren’t there. It’s wholly unfair to criticise someone for being unable to purchase a product of expected standard if there isn’t a product of required standard available. Wenger was, boringly sensible in the summer, only signing players that he felt were of the necessary standard and for a fair price.

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For Arsenal, his frugal but efficient approach has paid dividends. Zlatan’s recent struggles are proof of this. While it may be difficult to trust Wenger when seemingly top players are signing for direct rivals, the perspective of the long-term is something that as fans, we are very rarely able to relate with. Thankfully, Wenger is.

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