Arsenal also didn’t address their biggest needNow remember: I’m grading their transfer window, not their performances on the pitch, so in that spirit I have to put the Gunners in Offside here for one obvious reason: the inability to bring in a legitimate goal scorer.
I know there are many arguments to counter this point. One, Arsenal have the second-best scoring record in the Premier league, with last weekend’s magnificent 5-1 victory against Man City showing how they spread the goals around. (This looks even more impressive when you factor in that Mikel Arteta is having to manage without Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, both of whom are nursing long-term injuries.)
But I have said it many, many times. Arsenal are not supposed to be satisfied with a top-four finish. They want the Premier League title, but this won’t happen unless they sign a star striker.
When it comes to bringing in a striker of legitimate pedigree, Arsenal keep delaying something that should have happened a long time ago. Three years ago in January, Arsenal were in a similar situation after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was exiled. Arteta needed a striker, and there was a possibility of attaining the services of Alexander Isak. The club refused to pay the Real Sociedad’s $92m release clause and decided to wait until the summer, but Arsenal finished fifth in the league and missed out on the Champions League to Tottenham, while Newcastle pounced to sign Isak for an initial $70m. The following season, Edu joined the club as their first-ever sporting director to help Arteta materialize his vision.
Back to the present. Edu left the club a few months ago, and we’re back to the same hesitancy. Arsenal made a $45m bid for the 29-year-old Watkins, but reports suggest Villa may have listened for offers north of $60m. But just like the Isak situation from 2022, Arsenal’s cautious vibes could once again cost them the title. They remind me of an inexperienced Vegas tourist playing blackjack and following the advice that you should always stick to No. 13. No matter the season, Arsenal always stick to No. 13.
The other part that bothers me is that there seems to be a lack of ingenuity and some tunnel vision here, because there were plenty of tremendous strikers available for a lower fee than Watkins. For example,Feyenoord’s Santiago Giménez just left for AC Milan for approximately $40m. I think he could have been fantastic in North London, but alas, a golden chance missed for the Gunners and a gain for the Rossoneri.
How about Liam Delap? He certainly fits a lot of the characteristics. Would Ipswich Town have listened? We’ll never know, as once again in this window, a striker didn’t arrive at Arsenal because they stuck to No. 13.
SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
I don’t know what to make of Tottenham’s moves
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What are Tottenham getting with Mathys Tel signing?
Julien Laurens explains why he thinks of new Spurs signing Mathys Tel as the “complete package” when it comes to forwards.
I’m cautious on Spurs, and that’s why I didn’t have them in either category because the jury is still out on how they did.
We have heard about the talent of Mathys Tel (loan from Bayern Munich, with a $60m option to sign permanently), who was pretty much wanted by every top club if we’re to believe the reports in January. But after 344+ minutes of action this season, he hadn’t scored a goal with Bayern and despite his obvious talent, there’s inconsistency. I get it. He’s 19. There’s still a lot to come from the young man and I sincerely hope he shines with Tottenham, but Ange Postecoglou doesn’t need a project. He needs an end product.
Goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, 21, from Slavia Prague ($16m) has been thrown in the deep end and delivered. He’s a great addition. Kevin Danso (from Lens for approximately $26m) is a very good center-back too, so there are pluses for sure. But I still think they needed a stable, game-changing midfielder because Tottenham have always had that. From Glenn Hoddle to Luka Modric, it’s always been part of their DNA, and they’re still missing that aspect. Spurs fans will yell James Maddison to me, but he is not as stable or anchored in the midfield as the names I mentioned because he plays just behind the striker.
Anyway, Postecoglou has a lot to worry about, including an ACL injury to Radu Drăgușin and the continued absence of Cristian Romero. They’re being very careful with the latter. The same is true of Micky van de Ven, who didn’t play against Brentford despite returning in the Europa League.
So yes, Spurs made some good decisions in January, but they didn’t get much extra depth in defence and there was a gamble on a very talented, somewhat inconsistent attacker. I hope he delivers for the sake of the club.
