Wenger has changed and Arsenal will flourish

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For many Arsenal fans, Saturday brings a mixture of optimism and caution. Following the defeat at Old Trafford, the future direction of the club has been questioned and debated in the press and in the pubs alike. The collective voice suggests that Arsenal can no longer compete at the top level for player transfers and wages. It has been said that Arsenal has now become a feeder club for the Premiership’s top dogs, and Barcelona.
Fans gathering around the Emirates on transfer deadline day were calling for a marquee signing. A £35 million bid for Eden Hazard was the rumour. Fans have been asking ‘Where is our Aguero?’ The reality of whether Arsene Wenger has the money to spend has become almost secondary to the reality that he refuses to spend it. But is it any wonder?
Arsenal now head in a different direction to the other pretenders for the Champions league places. Tottenham andLiverpoolhave spent millions in the hope that they can secure a top four finish. Chelsea and the twoManchesterclubs have spent more in the single minded pursuit of holding onto their Champions League spots while also making a realistic push for the League title
So where does that leave Arsenal, consistently in the top four since Arsene Wenger arrived? The top wages are out of reach and by default so are the top players. Wenger has two options. He can bring in promising players for the future and continue along the path he has trodden for many years, see Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The same path that hasn’t landed a trophy for six years. Or he can bring in players with a growing reputation aroundEuropeand eager to improve at the top level, for this see Gervinho.
Wenger has been burnt many times by mercenary players who use Arsenal as a stepping board to greater riches. Adebayor, Flamini, Nasri et al. But to open the cheque book to the tune of £35 million for a player such as Eden Hazard, only for the player to leave a season later would only cement in the manager’s mind that his policy is the correct way to go.
Now we find an unfamiliar scenario about to unfold on Saturday. Alongside the promising young talent set to take the field againstSwansea, Wenger has opted to open his wallet and secure the services of a couple of proven players, Per Mertesacker and Mikel Arteta. This represents a change in both the philosophy and the style for Arsenal.
The tall commanding centre half we have been asking for has now arrived. A proven midfielder with no shortage of guile and skill has come into the centre of the park. Alongside the other new signings and our established squad a new direction for Arsenal football club seems to be emerging.
Whether by forced hand or by free will, Wenger’s approach will now have to change. And I can not wait to see how all this unfolds on Saturday, and beyond.