If you ask Arsenal fans what they’d like from the remainder of the transfer window, the chances are most of them would say something about a new striker (or at least that’s what they *would* have said before their preseason defensive injury crisis).
This was the summer that Arsene Wenger was widely expected to strengthen his striking options. Gonzalo Higuain was linked with the club before he moved to Juventus a few weeks ago. Alexandre Lacazette has also been hotly tipped to move to The Emirates, especially after Slaven Bilic appeared to confirm West Ham wouldn’t be moving for the Frenchman earlier in the week.
But on the eve of the new season, it appears Wenger has once again ruled out a move for any further strikers.
Speaking ahead of the game with Liverpool, the Frenchman seemed to suggest that defence was the only area he was looking to add to, unless a quality striker became available .
“I don’t count in numbers as the squad is too big,” he said. “I’m looking at no other areas bar centre back. It’s about quality.”
For Arsenal fans hoping that a move for Lacazette was imminent, Wenger’s words were hard to take and prompted exactly the kind of response you might expect…
Wenger saying we have a big squad..lol…we've got no proper striker for some years and we going into the first game with no experience CB..
— Olayinka (@ykgunnerz) August 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/JONPAULFONG/status/764036789434744832
#Wenger moaning about financial races is a smokescreen.
We haven't bought a recognised striker since Welbeck yet we are scoring less goals
— Northbank🏴🇦🇺 (@sydney_Gooner) August 12, 2016
https://twitter.com/CockRoche34/status/764034398098305024
https://twitter.com/MichelHeller/status/764040397710430208
Arsenal kick off their Premier League campaign against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon before playing their first away game at champions, Leicester City.