Arsene Wenger is not in the classic stick or twist position during this transfer window. Arsenal are on course to win the league with the team Wenger has already assembled so he does not necessarily need to spend big this month. Likewise, in the Champions League most big name signings would already be ineligible for the latter stages of the competition, so the question is what should Wenger do?
Wenger could twist now and buy big and yours truly believes he should. Come on, you know you want him to as well, who doesn´t like a flood of huge names coming into their club? However, Wenger is no fool and he has never been one to throw the checkbook around, but there is a unique opportunity open to Arsenal at the moment.
Wenger could sign in January for next season. Sure, it is a tactic fraught with danger as getting big names to move during the winter transfer window usually requires more cash to be stumped up, something that will not appeal to Arsenal. Although, it seems naïve to think that Wenger does not already know who his targets are for next season, the Frenchman will be well aware who he wants to bring in during the summer.
So why not do it now? Bringing in those players now would give them half a season to bed into the team and into the Premier League, they could help Arsenal win the league, and it would save Wenger having to operate in a busy and frantic post World Cup summer window. Whether the master tactician decides to buy now or later in the year, there are certainly areas of the team that need to be addressed, Premier League title or not.
Diego Costa is a name being mooted as a partner to Oliver Giroud as it becomes increasingly clear the French striker needs help. Costa has performed well but would command a huge fee, something Arsenal should be reluctant to play in case Costa is having “one of those seasons”. Karim Benzema is another striker oft linked with the club and his arrival would be far more likely if a price with Real Madrid could be agreed.
There are still certain questions over the defensive line up at the Emirate Stadium, despite a good season thus far. Wenger could be tempted to buy defensive cover and 19-year old Kurt Zouma of St Etienne would fit the bill as he is young and talented, however he is hot property around the continent to a bidding war could ensue.