Arsenal’s reluctance to spend big means Wenger must prioritise

There’s a sense of frustration in north London at the moment, as Arsenal fans continue to wait for manager Arsene Wenger to unveil another big name at the club following weeks of striker speculation that’s amounted to nothing. 

But while Wenger continues to confirm the Gunners’ are ‘very active’ in the transfer market, he’s now been met with a defensive problem which needs addressing, with Per Mertesacker facing five months out with injury.

Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis has announced Arsenal won’t be spending big this summer so where does that leave the Gunners? And which area needs strengthening most?

Defence

Taking Mertesacker’s injury into account, the Gunners have four central defenders in Laurent Koscielny, Gabriel, Calum Chambers and new signing Rob Holding, while right-back Mathieu Debuchy is no stranger to a more central role.

Providing everything runs smoothly, the German should be fully fit by Christmas, meaning Wenger would have five recognised centre-backs at his disposal.

Attack

At the other end of the pitch, Wenger has Olivier Giroud, Chuba Akpom, and new signing Takuma Asano to choose from, as Danny Welbeck faces a lengthy time on the sidelines with injury.

Though the French manager has tried on several occasions to turn Theo Walcott into an out-and-out striker, his inconsistency to find the net has always been a concern to Gunners fans.

Neither Akpom nor Asano would be considered as proven goalscorers – certainly not at a high level – which leaves the responsibility once again solely on Giroud’s shoulders up front.

In the last few days, Arsenal have been linked with the likes of Kostas Manolas, Jason Denayer and Shkodran Mustafi as replacements for Mertesacker, while Alexandre Lacazette, Mauro Icardi and Wissam Ben Yedder are just three forwards linked with a move to the Emirates.

We’ll leave you to decide how Arsenal play it from here.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.