"We can't afford to outgun competitors that have far more money. We have to be very careful, very selective". Those are the kind of words that Arsenal fans have been accustomed to hearing over the past few years as an admittance of their rivals' financial superiority. It's worth noting that Arsenal have at least £200m in cash reserves and the recent remarks from chief excecutive Ivan Gazidis to the New York Times are another display of the acceptance of mediocrity which has been present at Emirates Stadium.
Make no mistake about it, Arsene Wenger is the greatest Arsenal manager since Herbert Chapman and the legacy he's set to leave at the club will be talked about for years to come. Twenty years of consecutive Champions League football remains a huge achievement as does the three Premier League titles and six FA Cups, which include going a whole season unbeaten in the English domestic top flight.
However, the facts are there for all to see. Arsenal haven't won a league title in 12 years, they haven't gone further than the Champions League last-16 for six consecutive years and the club were the only team in Europe's top five leagues not to buy an outfield player in last season's summer transfer window despite the clear need for reinforcements.
This summer things began to look different. Wenger began his transfer business early by sealing the signing of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach for a fee of £35m, before adding Japanese youngster Takuma Asano, 20-year-old defender Rob Holding and 18-year-old Nigerian starlet Kelechi Nwakali. Only Xhaka and Holding will be involved in first team matters this season while Asano and Nwakali await work permits ahead of being sent out on loan for experience.
"We have to follow the prices paid by other people", said Wenger recently. "That has gone up because the availability of money is much higher. That’s why we've crossed the £100m bar for the first time.
"We want to spend the money when we have it," he explained. "But we respect the money we have – it is very difficult to find the quality of players who are available. Despite all the money that exists in England there is very little movement in the transfer market.
So what do Arsenal need? The age old question has a simple answer: an experienced centre back and goalscorer upfront. Olivier Giroud remains the first choice striker and returns to the club off the back of an impressive Euro 2016 for France, but it's evident that he can't share the burden of being the Gunners' main man for an entire season. Mesut Ozil created a record number of chances last season and it is vital that a player of top quality is brought in if Arsenal are to compete with their rivals.
Per Mertesacker and Gabriel Paulista's injuries have forced Wenger's hand in the transfer market with Shkodran Mustafi expected to join Arsenal in the coming days, although it's unlikely that he'll be registered in time for the opening league game against Liverpool on Sunday. A relatively experienced centre back who is able to position himself correctly, lead from the back and read the game with ease is exactly what Arsenal need.
"We are in the transfer market, we are focused on concentrating on the players we have to get them ready for the season", said Wenger. "On the other hand, with what happened with us [last season], of course we are looking outside to strengthen our squad."
Wenger admitted his desire to sign a centre back and striker before the club travelled to America for the first part of their pre-season tour and with the start of the season just days away, Arsenal are in a position where their transfer business will be left to the final stages of the market yet again. The Frenchman is said to be more focused and concentrated than ever in what could be his final season at the club, but serious questions will have to be asked if a striker isn't brought in by 1 September.
There is absolutely no doubt that Arsenal are working tirelessly on negotiations and bringing the right players in this summer. Jamie Vardy's rejection and Lyon's rebuttal of a £29.3m bid for Alexandre Lacazette are prime examples of round-the-clock talks which have been taking place. Enquiries were made for Gonzalo Higuain and Riyad Mahrez, while the aforementioned Mustafi remains next on the list to sign for the north London giants.
16 days, five games, four countries, 17 goals scored and five conceded. Arsenal completed their shorter than usual pre-season regime following trips to France, America, Norway and Sweden. They ended their schedule in style with an impressive victory over Manchester City and have generally improved in every game since the opening fixture against Lens last month.
The English contingent of Chuba Akpom, Alex Iwobi, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Theo Walcott have all impressed in the final few games. Akpom in particular has staked his claim for a regular spot in the starting XI after scoring in four consecutive pre-season matches. Akpom in particular was rumoured to be in contention to start against Liverpool but Walcott's impressive showings in the final two games against Viking FK and Manchester City could see him play upfront instead.
With the managerial appointments of Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, plus signings which include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ilkay Gundogan and N'Golo Kante, Arsenal will have a huge fight on their hands next season for the Premier League title. A centre-back pairing of Rob Holding and Calum Chambers against Liverpool shows just how inexperienced the team look right now and the worry around the club is that injury problems could be Arsenal's curse yet again.
There are concerns over Santi Cazorla's troublesome achilles injury and it's noted that Jack Wilshere has already sustained a knee problem before the season has started. Mertesacker was expected to be appointed club captain before being ruled out until 2017 with a knee injury but an announcement on that is now unlikely to be made.
In what looks set to be the most competitive Premier League season of all time, Arsenal could fall behind their rivals if the much-needed changes aren't made this summer. There is still plenty of time before the transfer window closes of course, but you get the feeling that there is a sense of déjà vu among many supporters in north London right now.
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- Goal