Football News: Arsenal Transfer Window Round Up

Image from: 1nildown2oneup.net

Outs:

Serge Gnabry to Werder Bremen.
This was the big surprise, of the permanent outs, as Gnabry had looked to offer something different, when he had the chance. At just 21, he was still a youngster to be developed for the future, with plenty of potential. However, he did need first team football, so it is probably best for him to move on, especially with Alexis Sanchez ahead of him in the pecking order. It is very doubtful he will be missed this season, but in the future Arsenal could regret letting him.

Wellington Silva to Fluminese.
A player that never really looked like making his mark at the Gooners, it is certainly time, at 23, that he was moved on.

Isaac Hayden to Newcastle United.
Highly rated and just 21, it was a surprise that Arsene Wenger decided to move Hayden on, but the influx of central midfielders in the last couple of seasons had left him with little chance of a game. While he will not be missed this season, he is another that may be a regret in the long term.

Jack Wilshere to Bournemouth (loan).
The biggest surprise of the summer window was Wenger's willingness to let Wilshere go out on loan, after all the years of standing by him while he acted up off the pitch and spent too much time on the injury table to act anything on the pitch, Wenger's patience ran out. Sort of. Clearly Wenger has not quite given up on him and he is hoping that a year away will be what he needs to finally achieve some of this potential that is constantly being talked about. At 24, this is very much closing in on last chance saloon territory. He will be no loss to the team, in my opinion, as he is simply not good enough, even when fit, to hold down a place.

Tomas Rosicky to Sparta Prague.
The biggest surprise about this free move was that the Czech attacking midfielder was still at the Gunners. Once a superlative talent, injuries robbed him of far too many games in recent years. If it was the Rosicky of his peak, he would be a big loss, but he has been nowhere near his peak (or even peak fitness for that matter) for a long time now. Sad to see him go out with little more than a whimper in recent years, but it was the right choice for Arsenal.

Joel Campbell to Sporting CP (loan).
A strange move this one, as Campbell had impressed last season, looking a better bet for the right wing than Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Aaron Ramsey. While never being completely consistent, his workrate and ability had caused opponents problems and the Costa Rican winger had seemed to do enough to deserve another season in and around the first team. He will be missed, especially if the usual Arsenal injury crisis hits.

Calum Chambers to Middlesbrough (loan).
The youngster was signed from Southampton for a big fee, but has struggled to settle into any one position and, as a result, been unable to hold down a first team place. At times it was clear his confidence was suffering, as he had a few extremely poor performances. The loan should be a good thing for him and the club, if he can get a regular place at Boro.

Takuma Asano to VfB Stuttgart (loan).
There was no chance of him getting a work permit to play in England, so it is the best thing for both parties for him to head off for a season on loan to another European side. It gives him a chance to get used to a style of football that is very similar to English football.

Mathieu Flamini released.
Always going to happen, he has been nowhere near good enough on his return and the midfield strengthening has meant he would not get near the side even in a normal injury crisis.

Mikel Arteta retired.
He could have done this a few seasons ago and no one would have batted an eye lid. Arteta has been finished at top level for probably 4 years, it is no loss and just good to get him off the wage bill.

In:

Granit Xhaka from Borussia Moenchengladbach.
The big summer signing was tied up nice and early to give Gunners fresh heart as the season kicked off. The only question is whether he was needed, but that would only have been an issue if Wenger had failed to fill gaps in the squad due to buying him. As it was, with the other arrivals, he has created a genuine battle for places in the midfield. Xhaka will provide even more strength and fight to avoid Arsenal suffering their routine defeats to the teams that look to bully them. This season, that should no longer be an issue.

Shkodran Mustafi from Valencia.
The other big signing for Arsenal was a centre back, as Arsene finally unleashed the might of the Arsenal finances for a proper title push. Mustafi is an established German international with previous experience of English football, during a spell at Everton. His signing could turn out to be the most important of all, if he can settle quickly and return to the form of a couple of seasons ago.

Lucas Perez from Deportivo La Coruna.
If Perez can adapt quickly, finally Arsenal might have a real alternative to Olivier Giroud up front. He will need to perform above his usual level to make a real impression, but this is his big break to show what he can do. This is the pivotal signing, if he performs at his usual standard, then the Gooners will be in a similar position to every year, but, if he really can raise his game, this could be the signing that gives them a chance of the title.

Takuma Asano from Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
The Japanese striker is seen as one for the future, so he has been signed and sent straight out on loan.

Rob Holding from Bolton Wanderers.
The young centre back has already impressed with his first few appearances in an Arsenal shirt. He could turn out be the best signing Arsenal made this summer in the long term. This season, having him to cover for injuries could well be invaluable to Arsenal's hopes of glory.

Mathieu Debuchy from Girondins Bordeaux (loan return).
The French right back will push Hector Bellerin hard for his spot, after a season away. He could easily hold down a regular place in most Premier League teams' defences, so to have him as a back up is a real boost to the Gooners' chances of success.

Overall verdict:
This has been a good summer for Gunners' fans after the disappointment of last season's failure to put in a real title challenge, despite the usual suspects struggles. Wenger has finally done what the vast majority of Arsenal fans have been hoping for and pushed the boat out on transfers. There are question marks over some of the signings. Was Xhaka needed? Is Perez a one season wonder? Overall though, this has been a very good window for Arsenal, who have made a clear step forward in terms of squad depth and, on paper at least, team strength. There has also been no weakening of the team via outs. Is it enough to win the title? Probably not, but at least Wenger is having a go.

Written by Tris Burke September 09 2016 10:34:41