Sprinting to stand still: Arsenal's summer transfer window (part 2)

In part 1 of this review, we looked at the gaps Arsenal needed to plug in their squad, and ran the scanner on their three major summer signings. Click here to read part 1.

While the transfers of Xhaka, Perez, and Mustafi dominated the headlines and thickened the newspaper column inches, Arsenal’s most under-the-radar signing started all three league games, first out of necessity and then out of merit. Rob Holding was bought from Bolton for a paltry £2.5million, a sum which hinted at a signing made for the future more than the present. But injuries to Arsenal’s first choicecenter backs, Koscielny’s extended post-Euros break, and the delay over the Mustafi deal meant that the 20-year old Englishman was called upon for the Gunners’ league opener against Liverpool.

Arsenal have the first signs of evidence that their unheralded defensive signing is a quick learner and is adapting quickly to his teammates’ moods and mores.

Jack Wilshere

The loan move that commanded more air time than many permanent signings. As the sun set on the transfer window, patrons were greeted with the surprising sight of Jack Wilshere disappearing over the horizon on a limping steed to join Eddie Howe’s men at Bournemouth. Wilshere’s Arsenal career has transformed over the years from one of magical potential to one of prosaic indifference. One of the mainstays in the team at the turn of the decade, Wilshere now finds himself a squad player, often injured, occasionally starting, and rarely starting in his preferred position.

Arsenal fans who have grown up watching Wilshere will want this loan move to put him back where he belongs: in the top pantheon of English midfielders playing today. The author is hopeful that Wilshere gallops back to the Arsenal fold – fitter and more confident than ever – as the sun dawns on the transfer window again.

Also read: The unfulfilled promise of Jack Wilshere

Calum Chambers’ journey down the Arsenal pecking order is a tale largely of a player being played in a surfeit of positions, not nailing down any one position conclusively, and losing confidence as a result. Chambers was impressive in his opening games, putting in solid performances at center back (much like Holding is doing now), but then played at right back and defensive midfield over a personally chaotic fifteen-month period. Playing in different positions begot the necessity to focus on different skills and an existential conundrum that benefited neither player nor club.

Once the Mustafi purchase was confirmed, Chambers’ loan move to Middlesbrough gathered pace and was soon completed. One hopes that the 21-year old Englishman will play mostly at center back, affording him a consistency in mentality and playing style that should settle him down. Boro manager Aitor Karanka was a seasoned central defender in his time, and playing under his tutelage should introduce Chambers to the nuance and fine-print needed for progress.

Joel Campbell

Joel Campbell quickly turned from barely-mentioned pariah to fan-favorite last season, as his sweat, sprint, and soul won many hearts in the terraces. The Costa Rican had spent most of his Arsenal career on loan, but took his opportunity last season as injuries struck the Gunners’ wings. His willingness to track back, comfort on the ball, and underrated vision were assets during tough times, best encapsulated by a stellar showing in the 0-3 victory over Olympiakos.

There were reports that he signed a new Arsenal deal before heading off to Sporting. However, if this loan deal has a purchase option, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Arsenal sanction Campbell’s sale if the player and the buying club so desired. A tale of unfinished business and jilted love that football produces en masse and sans mercy.

Serge Gnabry

Cold water was quickly poured on that fan flame as rumors emerged of Gnabry wanting to move back to Germany. Bayern were reportedly interested, then Werder Bremen were interested, and Gnabry finally ended up going to Bremen with some alleged creativity leaving the door open for Bayern. From having impressive depth on the wings, Arsenal had lost two squad options in one fell swoop.

Like Campbell, Gnabry’s case seems to have been pushed through by the player, and Arsenal have decided to extract some value from the deal rather than losing him for free next year. One suspects that Arsenal could have kept Gnabry if they really wanted too, but with Chamberlain, Iwobi, and Reine-Adelaide occupying the same zone of ‘present inconsistency with future potential’, the club sanctioned Gnabry’s departure without too much guilty chewing of the lip.

Arsenal ended up buying two center halves, a deep lying midfielder, and a mobile attacker this transfer window. While these players are expectedly diverse with respect to skill-set and ability, a common undercurrent of sacrifice, storm-weathering, and finding opportunity in adversity runs through all of them.

Granit Xhaka grew up playing football in the streets of Switzerland as a Kosovan immigrant and outsider, and still faces resistance for his decision to play for the Swiss national team. Lucas Perez couldn’t cut it at Deportivo, so he went halfway across Europe in playing stints both good and bad before landing up at his boyhood club and emerging a hero. Skhodran Mustafi almost gave up football after failing to break into the Evertonteam, but persevered and now returns to England after successful spells in Italy and Spain under his belt. Rob Holding started in the Bolton academy when he was seven years old, his footballing growth stemming from street smarts more than cossetted coaching. He was their lotus in the mud last season, playing at both right back and center back and being named their player of the season in what was otherwise a horrendous campaign.

Arsene Wenger made some comments about Leicester last season that are very revealing when viewed against the signings he has made:

“There is a theory that says to go to the absolute utmost of your talent you need to suffer in life. When you look at the Leicester team, not one career of all these players was obvious, like starting on the red carpet at 18 years of age in the Champions League. These players had a dream that was not easy to obtain, but when they are in a position to reach it, they are ready for the fight.”