For many people connected to Arsenal, it has been a time to remember the old line from Arsène Wenger. Nowhere is the obsession more obvious than in the transfer market, when a club simply has to add new faces. These days, it feels as though some fans prefer them to be signed as late as possible in the summer window to ensure a positive narrative after the deadline; to maximise the potential to generate momentum.
Recency bias is powerful. Wenger’s tone was disapproving. The next big thing is not always thus.
What you already have should not be undervalued or taken for granted. It struck a chord with Mikel Arteta, which everybody in the room for his press conference to preview Sunday’s home game against Chelsea could feel because it moved him out of succinct answer territory. The Arsenal manager enters the match having won three out of three this season – including the Community Shield victory over Manchester City – without conceding a goal.
His club, of course, ended their long wait for the Premier League title last May when they chased away all manner of demons. They are hot favourites to win it again. At Aston Villa on Monday night, Arteta introduced two of Spain’s World Cup winning squad – Mikel Merino and Martín Zubimendi – from the bench.
Plus the marquee summer signing, Bruno Guimarães. Plus another high-profile new boy, Ezri Konsa. Arsenal’s strength in depth is really something.
Their squad is surely stronger now than it was at the end of last season. We have more players available. We have increased the quality and we have increased the leadership in the team as well, which is very important.” So, why the angst among supporters after the transfer window closed, which was probably nearer to hysteria in some cases?
Extract — continue reading at the source.
