Whoever succeeds Wenger has a big job on their hands.
Throughout the prime years of Arsenal’s so called ‘banter era’, Arsène Wenger managed to consistently qualify for the Champions League while spending very little on bringing players in. Every summer, a key player was sold, for a substantial profit and Arsenal constantly had to adapt to losing important players.
But after a while, they were able to start splashing the cash again. The opportunistic and fruitful signings of Mesut Özil and Alexis Sánchez from Spain’s big two hinted at a new dawn for Arsenal. It was thought that they had emerged from the other end of the banter tunnel.
Yes, they ended their trophy drought and won a couple of FA Cups, but it seems like the days of tightening the pursestrings are back, as their transfer budget for this summer has been revealed.
The Mail are reporting that whoever succeeds the departing Arsène Wenger will only have £50m to spend this summer.
Disclaimer: “only £50m” sounds ridiculous, because it’s still an insane amount of money, but in the current climate of elite football, it’s pocket change. Man City spent £50m on Kyle Walker last summer.
Arsenal’s defensive issues are plentiful, so you’d think this money would have to go on a defender, but they’ll have to spend it wisely. As we’ve seen, spending big on defenders is no guarantee of success. Shkodran Mustafi cost the Gunners £35m.
The Arsenal board are reportedly seeking a strict disciplinarian to replace Wenger, who announced on Friday that he would be leaving at the end of the season.
Former Arsenal midfielders Mikel Arteta and Patrick Vieira have been linked with the vacancy, both of whom have gained coaching experience under the City Group regime, the former working as assistant to Pep Guardiola and the latter as manager of New York City FC.
Max Allegri, Luis Enrique and Joachim Löw have also been linked with the job.
