Arsenal’s unwillingness to look down the leagues has cost them millions

Arsenal has made some astute transfer signings in the past: Matteo Guendouzi, Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Anelka are all examples of players with incredible potential brought in at bargain prices. One unexplored market, however, has a wealth of inexpensive options that Arsenal have not taken advantage of: the lower leagues of English football.

‘The lower tiers are poor and full of equally poor players’ is a misconception that has cost Arsenal millions. The north London outfit has recruited the vast majority of its players mainland Europe.

Recent examples Nicolas Pepe, Gabriel and Alexandre Lacazette all plied their trade in Ligue 1, a common division for Arsenal to scout and recruit from in the Premier League era. Looking down the leagues, however, would result in a far smaller outlay of cash than, say, Pepe’s £72m transfer fee.

Other mid-table sides (as much as it may pain Arsenal fans to hear that) have integrated players from the Championship that have elevated the level of the team. While Jack Grealish will always grab headlines, Matty Cash has been a shrewd addition and the significance of Ollie Watkins must not be overlooked.

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Arsenal’s unwillingness to sign English Championship and lower league players has cost them millions

As was painfully clear in the defeat against Villa, Watkins is an energetic and clinical striker who contributes defensively as well. He can hold the ball up, he can press and he has unpredictable movement in the final third. He is, in other words, an all-round center-forward who still has time to develop.

Arsenal could do with a player like him. A player coming into his prime while still offering goals and assists is the profile Arsenal may be seeking in the summer to replace Lacazette. While Watkins came in at a larger fee of £28m, he seems to be proving his worth. The English striker has ten goals and two assists in 21 games for the Villans. There are more of his ilk in the lower leagues.

Liverpool have excellently used both lower league clubs as well as other Premier League clubs to add quality to their ranks. Joe Gomez played for Charlton Athletic before joining the Merseyside outfit; Gini Wijnaldum served in relegated-Newcastle’s midfield; Andy Robertson bombed up and down the flank for Hull City before transferring to the Reds. All three players have proven crucial to Liverpool’s recent success.

Arsenal’s transfer strategy needs to be revisited. Recruiting players who have amassed valuable minutes in England boasts numerous advantages, not least that it will take less time to settle culturally and adapt to the physical aspect. Does casting the net below immediately constitute success? Of course not, but when Arsenal have – Rob Holding is a prime example – the gamble has paid off. Even if it doesn’t, there is less risk involved.

One of the key arguments in the Wilfried Zaha vs Pepe comparison centred around each players’ familiarity with the league. Zaha wasn’t in the Championship, but he wouldn’t have needed 18 months. Time will tell on that but nobody can argue it was £72m well spent.

The lack of recruiting done in this potential market is concerning and may be especially difficult in the future in light of the scouting team dismissals. The upside, however, is too great to be left unexplored.