By this point, it genuinely feels as though Arsene Wenger takes some perverse, albeit hilarious, pleasure in driving Arsenal fans to the point of hysterical social media meltdowns. Especially towards the end of the summer transfer window.
In recent years, vast amounts may have been spent on bringing the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Granit Xhaka, Shkodran Mustafi and Alexandre Lacazette to the Emirates Stadium, yet the Gunners have consistently failed to follow up on these impressive captures with further movements in the transfer market and have therefore been found wanting when it comes to mounting a serious Premier League title challenge or becoming competitive in Europe.
And, following this summer's additions of the aforementioned Lacazette and Bosnian full-back Sead Kolasinac, it seems as if Wenger is set to repeat the trick, despite Arsenal fans crying out for more quality additions to the first team squad, especially with the futures of Sanchez, Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain up in the air.
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Lacazette (top) and Kolasinac (below) have impressed since their arrivals in North London, but are they enough to drive Arsenal back into the top four? Images: PA
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Commenting following his side's 1-0 away defeat to Stoke City at the weekend, Wenger explained that his squad had grown to such a size that the next week would be focused on finding new clubs for some of his fringe players rather than bringing any new faces to the Emirates Stadium.
"I am very pleased with our market because we bought good players who can integrate with our style of play.
"That's what we want. On the other hand, it is very difficult. Today, the prices are out of proportion. The transfer market has become very demanding today.
"There is no transfer market anymore because the price depends only on the identity of the buyer and when you are English, you have straight away 50 per cent [extra] on the price of a player and that makes it difficult to act."
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The Gunners have been strongly linked with a move for Monaco winger Thomas Lemar during the summer, although with the French champions already losing Bernardo Silva, Tiemoue Bakayoko and Benjamin Mendy this summer and potentially seeing Kylian Mbappe and Fabinho heading to Paris Saint-Germain, it's highly unlikely they'll even begin to consider a bid for another of their star players.
Monaco winger Thomas Lemar looks set to stay with the club, with a move to the Gunners appearing to be a no go, this summer. Image: PA
Arsenal fans, what do you make of Wenger's comments? Worried? Angry? Or are you happy with your club's business, this summer?
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Have your say in the comments section below and on our Facebook page.
(H/T Metro)
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: Football, Arsene Wenger, Arsenal