Three reasons why this must be Arsene Wenger’s final season at Arsenal

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Transfer Policy

This summer, like many gone-by, has flattered to deceive in the transfer market, while their rivals have bolstered their squads as many had expected. Arsene Wenger has spent £40.8 million in total. The signing of Granit Xhaka for £33.8 million was expected to signal some serious business at the Emirates this time round, but once again that has been a false dawn. The only other additions made have been Takuma Asano and Rob Holding, who are clearly ones for the future.

It feels like a broken record. At the end of last season it was clear what Arsenal needed. A defensive midfielder, central defender and centre forward were imperative if they were to challenge this campaign. Granit Xhaka is a tidy, ball-playing box-to-box midfielder. He is far from a defensive midfielder that could compliment or even replace Francis Coquelin. I agreed with the addition of Xhaka but he does not address the defensive frailty that Arsenal will have in the absence of Coquelin.

The centre of Wenger’s defence is where the real problem exists. Even before injuries to Per Mertesacker and Gabriel they were serious light in this department, now it is of the utmost importance that at least one central defender is drafted in. Arsenal youngsters Calum Chambers and Rob Holding were thrown together in the 4-3 defeat to Liverpool and yet, upon reflection, they were not the real weakness in the performance. A lack of protection from their full-backs and midfield left them exposed and the pace of the Liverpool forward line was too much for them to contain.

Another priority must be to address the severe lack of a world-class striker or even someone to compete with Olivier Giroud for the centre-forward role. Alexis Sanchez was given the opportunity to lead the line on Sunday with very little effect. Arsenal’s no.1 choice, Giroud was unavailable for reasons that are ponderous at best. Theo Walcott who is another player that could have been used through the middle, but was playing in his “more comfortable” right forward position. Danny Welbeck is still injured, Chuba Akpom was an unused substitute, despite the fact he was the only recognisable centre forward in the match-day squad. Neither Joel Campbell or Yaya Sanogo made the squad.

Not for the first time, the Arsenal squad severely lacks real competition for places. Unless in midfield, where they are very well stocked, the squad is overwhelmingly imbalanced.