Arsenal: 10 Massive Things We Learned About Gunners In 2016

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on before the UEFA Champions League group A match between Arsenal FC and FC Basel 1893 at the Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal looks on before the UEFA Champions League group A match between Arsenal FC and FC Basel 1893 at the Emirates Stadium on September 28, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi
(Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) /

6. Money ain’t no thang

I told myself not to do the slang, but I did it anyway. Regardless, the point is that one of the biggest stumbling blocks of the past five years for Arsenal – money – is no longer a factor. Or “ain’t no thang” if you prefer it that way. I know I do.

We had been getting this impression for a couple summers. Mesut Ozil ended the drought. Alexis Sanchez and co. continued the idea that money was readily available, but the following summer, when only Petr Cech was landed, we had to wonder again if money was the issue.

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Well, I think this past year settles it. Money just isn’t no thang.

After landing Mohamed Elneny in January, Wenger compiled on a positive signing by demolishing it with Granit Xhaka’s signing. Playing the same role in a similar, more effective way, Wenger showed that he isn’t just in this to watch cheap signings do alright. He wants the best and Xhaka fits that mold.

Shkodran Mustafi, meanwhile, is one of the most expensive defensive signings like, ever.

And Lucas Perez? 18m spent on him just to have him sit on the bench? Yeah, I’d say that Wenger isn’t counting the money in his wallet while he takes a bath in a tub of gold doubloons anymore. He’s ready to spent when it makes sense to do so.

Moving on to No. 5, let’s dismantle a stupid argument that surfaced last season.