Arsenal: Adopting Manchester United approach only part of the equation

John Hartson has urged Arsenal to adopt Manchester United’s big-name approach. While that is what Arsene Wenger must do, it is only part of the equation.

There is an obvious need for Arsenal to change their attitude and their approach in the transfer window. While their domestic rivals have been relentlessly adding top class talent, always improving, constantly looking for new players to freshen up their squads, Arsene Wenger has allowed his to stagnate and stall.

However, doing business in the transfer window is not as simple as popping down the local grocery store. There is a lot less supply, a lot greater competition and a higher chance of unwise, misguided signings that can cost the clubs hundreds of millions in wasted fees and wages.

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But the need and the desire for big-name signings still rings true, and is what often drives many clubs’ intentions, especially Manchester United. It is the approach of United that former Gunners’ striker John Hartson would like Wenger to adopt in this window. Speaking to Sky Sports, he wanted to see Wenger target and acquire the more established and accomplished names on the market:

"“Their priority this summer is to be in for big players. It’s difficult attracting big names, the biggest names in football when you’ve not got Champions League of course. But Manchester United were able to attract them when they didn’t have Champions League. I just feel that they need to go in for the big, big players which become available just to make them competitive next season in terms of challenging for the title, because that is what the supporters want.”"

Certainly, Arsenal do need to bring in players with a winning reputation, an experience of elite level football and a self-confidence that comes with past successes, the likes of people that United have signed in the past. But just because it’s a big name, does not necessarily mean it will be a successful signing.

United themselves have wasted money on a number of underwhelming players. Memphis Depay, Angel di Maria, Anthony Martial, even Paul Pogba. None are yet to deliver on their enormous price tags – Martial and Pogba still do have the chance to reverse the tide, however.

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Simply signing big-name players, as Hartson suggests, is not a sufficient approach. Arsenal must sign the right big-name players, and that is a far more nuanced and difficult task.

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