Wenger has already completed a deal for Granit Xhaka, the Switzerland captain, from Borussia Monchengladbach and it sounds like he is satisfied with his dealings in the transfer market, even though three midfielders have already departed the squad this summer.
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The 20-year-old Holding made 30 appearances last season as Bolton were relegated from the championship. “Cazorla will come back, Wilshere is back, so we are solid in midfield”.
Mikel Arteta also quit Arsenal to take up a coaching role with Manchester City earlier this summer, while Patrick Vieira, another former Arsenal captain, is earning his strips as the manager of MLS side New York City. It’s how strong your club philosophy is.
“On a day in which Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazadis anxious fans that this could be another inactive transfer window for the club, the signing of Holding will go a little way to appeasing supporters”, says the Daily Telegraph.
“Leicester identified players from the French second division, so maybe there’s talent that we’ve been overlooking”.
“This approach, for us, gives us a very, very powerful balance because it’s not just about spending money but about how you spend your money and doing it wisely”, he added. At a time when Arsenal’s cash reserves are ripe to stay the least, all of the other title contenders severely strengthening and gaping holes obvious in the squad – this is the last thing Gooners want to hear. “But we’re on the right track”.
Wenger has been linked with a handful of top strikers in this transfer window – including Gonzalo Higuain, Alexandre Lacazette and Mauro Icardi – but said he would not discuss any names he’s interested in.
It is now over 12 years since the Gunners lifted the Premier League trophy and, despite finishing as runners-up last season, they were a distant 10 points adrift of champions Leicester.
But Gazidis insists they will continue believing in their young players and do not operate to a model that would see them match the money being spent by rivals with wealthy backers.
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Big money. Huge. Gonna spend so much, and win so hard.
