RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Like everyone else, I am transfixed by the transfers happening every day in the Premier League. There is always the temptation to make a snap judgement of what has happened in the market so far, but this is unfair.
There is so much business still to be done and so many difficulties to overcome. Clubs often have to be sure that money is coming in from sales before they can spend on new players.
The gold standard is those who know what they want and move early because they have had a plan in place all along. It helps to have a lot of money and a brand name that attracts the top players.
Manchester City come to mind right away. With Rodri injured and Bernardo Silva gone, the move for Elliot Anderson, even at £116m, seems obvious and sensible in hindsight. Even without Pep Guardiola they are still title favourites alongside Arsenal because of that methodology.
But the Gunners have moved sensibly over the summer so far. Piero Hincapie was a no-brainer, particularly as William Saliba is injured, but I'd expect one more cover player in that position. What I didn't expect was a story suggesting that Vinicius Junior might be tempted to north London.
I hate being 'played' in these circumstances. Is Vini Jr, his agent or indeed Real Madrid just using Arsenal as a bargaining chip in contract talks?
This would be classic manipulative behaviour but if the chips are cashed in, it'd be an incredible win for Mikel Arteta. The Brazilian's wages feel wrong for Arsenal, but his addition would make that last step to becoming European champions far more likely.
You have to feel a little sorry for Christos Tzolis, just signed from Club Brugge for £34m , who might find that left flank suddenly a little crowded.
If Arsenal's use of physicality at corners is curtailed with changes to the rules, they'll need to find goals from another avenue. Maybe that is why Arteta feels the need to add more to an already impressive frontline.
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