Arsenal: Sead Kolasinac offers peek into Arsene Wenger’s mind

Arsenal will sign Sead Kolasinac when his contract expires on July 1st. The addition offers a peek into Arsene Wenger’s state of mind.

The summer transfer window is upon us, but for Arsenal and their fans, it is a state of limbo, uncertainty and, not quite mis, but un-direction. The future of Arsene Wenger is yet to be publicly announced – it is likely the case that behind closed door it has been decided that he will stay -, the status of many star and fringe players is up in the air and there is a tense and nervy atmosphere in and around the ground.

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And yet, it is a time that offers hope. It is at this point in the year when fans begin to dream about who their teams will sign. It is at this time when fantasies run wild, with lavish spending, new additions and all-star teams. It is at this time when every fan believes that their club are set for the best season yet.

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The reason for such, usually futile, optimism is signings like Sead Kolasinac. After a number of weeks of intense rumour and speculation surrounding a possible move to North London for the Schalke left-back, Sky sources have now reported that Arsenal are expected to sign him to a long-term deal when his current contract expires on the 1st of July.

That is undoubtedly an exciting sentence to write, and not just because it means a new player who improves the state of the squad is set to enter the fray. More than the mere benefits that Kolasinac brings, his impending addition offers a peek into the thinking of Wenger, and it is somewhat intriguing and exciting.

First and foremost, it reveals that Wenger will most likely stay. Why would Arsenal add a player under the guidance and decision-making of Wenger if he were then to leave the club immediately after? Secondly, it shows that Wenger is making plans for the future of the club and has a number of potential transfer targets and personnel goals to reach this summer.

But finally, and perhaps most compellingly, the addition portrays a willingness to act from Wenger that has not been seen much in the past. Usually, he is hesitant in the transfer window, preferring to react to the market, rather than be aggressive and ensure that he acquires the player that he really wants above all else. Not this time. Before the season has ended, Wenger is already signing talent for the years to come.

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This greater conviction, perhaps as a result of a growing pressure from the board or a desperation to win from himself, is what sets Arsenal up for an enthralling offseason. There are a number of key decisions that have to be made between now and September, not least who to pursue, but the earliness in Wenger’s acquisition of Kolasinac proves that he’s ready to dive in head first, and that is very exciting indeed.