Comparing Arsenal's Summer Transfer Moves So Far to Rest of EPL

Considering Arsenal's lack of summer transfer moves so far, that title may inspire some jokes and rolling of the eyes. But it is still a little early to condemn the Gunners for their relative inactivity.

In truth, nobody has been making a serious flurry of moves so far. To clarify, nobody in the top four has been making a show of serious intent.

That might be a little unfair in light of the investment made by Manchester City in Jesus Navas and Fernandinho. But City are usually treated as the exception to every rule, given their lavish resources.

Chelsea can sometimes rival the Citizens for spending power. But so far, the only additions to the second instalment of the Jose Mourinho soap opera have been Dutch youngster Marco van Ginkel and Germany international Andre Schurrle.

Manchester United are the final member of the English Premier League's big spenders. The Red Devils have rarely met a transfer target they weren't ready and willing to pay over the odds for.

Yet it has been a slow start to life without Sir Alex Ferguson. United's pursuit of FC Barcelona youth Thiago Alcantara is becoming almost as protracted as Arsenal's attempts to sign Real Madrid's Gonzalo Higuain.

Speaking of Higuain, he represents the one thing Arsenal need most this summer. He is the marquee addition who will raise the profile of an ailing club.

Of course, that assumes Arsenal can actually complete the deal to sign the 25-year-old Argentine striker. The Guardian's Sid Lowe remains confident this tantalizing transfer rumor will prove true. However, conflicting reports from The Sun's Shaun Custis suggest new Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti could favor keeping Higuain.

Without a headline deal, Arsenal's promise of big summer spending will look like empty rhetoric. The longer Arsenal stall on adding an established talent approaching his prime, the more reason fans have to be nervous.

Embattled manager Arsene Wenger is at the root of many of those nerves. Guessing the cautious Frenchman's thinking may be an exercise in futility. However, it is not a stretch to imagine a scenario where Wenger makes no major signings this summer.

Maybe he looks at the strong finish last season, the return to health of Jack Wilshere and a second year for Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski as proof that Arsenal are strong enough to be better in 2013/14.

Another possibility, just as concerning, is the uncertainty regarding Wenger's future after this season. He continues to be linked with a return to France to take charge of Paris Saint-Germain.

French publication Le 10 (story in French) recently went as far as claiming a "moral" agreement exists for Wenger to take charge in Paris next summer.

Wenger could view an ideal finish at Arsenal as securing another top-four finish on a budget. Maintaining the club's riches—instead of reducing them—would be one way for Wenger to leave his life's work in the strongest possible state.

That line of thinking helps explain the profile of Arsenal's lone summer signing so far. The free transfer capture of youthful French striker Yaya Sanogo fits the Wenger profile for transfers. But it does not fit with the promises made about exercising financial muscle this summer.

The former Auxerre prodigy has been a star during the FIFA U-20 World Cup. He has scored four goals and provided an assist, only enhancing his prospects to feature early for Arsenal.

But no matter how promising he looks now, Sanogo is far from the finished article. Can he help the squad? Yes, but he is unlikely to offer help enough to elevate Arsenal from scrapping for fourth place.

Contrast Wenger's signing of a promising, but unproven attacker with Tottenham Hotspur's pursuit of veteran David Villa. Latest reports from The Daily Mirror's Darren Lewis indicate Spurs will soon confirm the arrival of the World Cup winning striker.

Arsenal's nearest top-four rival are bolstering their forward line with a guaranteed performer. The same is true of Tottenham's mooted imminent deal for Brazilian midfield linchpin Paulinho.

Yet again, while Spurs are strengthening an area of need with a proven international, Arsenal appear ready to trust youth. The Daily Mirror's Tom Hopkinson reports that the Gunners continue to be keen on Freigburg's 19-year-old star Matthias Ginter.

He could help in both midfield and defence, but Ginter is hardly the catalyst for a credible title push. Arsenal have been treading water with their top-four status for the past two seasons.

They barely held off Spurs on both occasions, and if this transfer pattern holds, Arsenal's luck could be set to run out. The obvious retort to all of this musing is for the Gunners to simply engage in some headline-making transfer activity.

Naturally, that is easier said than done, particularly in this summer's market. It is a market thrown into chaos by a clutch of high-profile managerial changes.

Of course, that reasoning is unlikely to appease Arsenal supporters who see the likes of Liverpool and Sunderland engaging in a frenzy of transfer activity.

However, looking outside the club can always be dangerous. It is better to simply remain quietly confident that Wenger will secure the recruits needed to bolster the squad.

Yes, at the moment, that means another leap of faith.