Arsenal Transfer News: Pressure Mounts on Arsene Wenger to Land Luis Suarez

Hopes were high for Arsenal as they entered the summer with a Champions League berth and the resources to make a marquee signing. As the new season nears, pressure continues to mount on Arsene Wenger to make a major move, like adding Luis Suarez.

The situation surrounding the Liverpool striker remains unsettled. But Gunners supporters looking to the veteran manager for positive news about a potential agreement are out of luck because Wenger would only say Arsenal are on "standby."

Alex Young of Goal.com passed along comments the boss made on Al Jazeera Sport:

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At the moment the situation is on standby. I heard that [Suarez is considering legal action to force a move] but this is sometimes linked with things that you don't know as a potential buyer.

That is the story between Suarez and Liverpool and I don't know what has been said, what has been promised and what has been written and that is only Suarez and Liverpool that can decide that.

It's nothing to do with us. We have been told that the player wants to leave Liverpool and that's why we've acted.

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The interest in Suarez makes total sense. Arsenal were already one of the top attacking clubs in the Premier League last season, ranking behind on Manchester United and Chelsea in goals. Adding a proven striker would take the offensive group to an elite level.

Suarez clearly fits the mold after finding the net 21 times last term, second to Robin van Persie in the league. Signing him to play alongside the likes of Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, among others, would be a huge step in the right direction for Arsenal.

Yet, with each passing day that doesn't include progress toward a deal, the focus shifts more toward Wenger's inability to complete a marquee signing. The opportunity was there when the summer began, and it's quickly slipping away.

He also made remarks to Al Jazeera Sport about the transfer efforts, which are seemingly moving at a snail's pace:

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It's going slowly. Slower than expected [because clubs have] more money than talent and the clubs with talented players don't want to lose them.

Some clubs acted very early so the choices were reduced, plus there is more competition coming from France. PSG buy big players for huge amounts of money so it's tough and difficult and slow.

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While that sentiment isn't necessarily off base, eventually the clock for excuses is going to run out, the transfer window will close and Wenger will be judged on the deals he was able to make. Right now, he wouldn't receive a passing grade.

Landing high-profile players isn't easy, especially when their current clubs are hopeful of keeping them in the fold. That said, other Champions League clubs are able to get deals done to upgrade their squads despite the level of difficulty.

If Wenger wants to avoid ridicule and put his club in position to make a serious run at the Premier League title, he must find a way to make a major addition. Suarez is clearly the most obvious candidate, but other targets may be getting worked on behind the scenes.

Arsenal have the foundation in place to compete with the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea, but they need a significant signing for the squad to truly reach that level.

It hasn't come yet despite the high expectations when the offseason began. The pressure is on Wenger to get something done soon.