Arsenal Transfer Rumors: Lackluster Signings Are a Slap in the Face to Fans

Arsenal's lack of big-name signings in this month's transfer window is a slap in the face to the loyal supporters who are worried about the club not qualifying for Champions League football next season, which right now looks like a goal the Gunners won't reach.

The glaring issues at striker and on defense have not been addressed and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been unable to bring in great talent to correct these areas of concern.

The Gunners are five points behind Chelsea in the Premier League table and have not played well as of late. They don't get enough goal-scoring and have to rely on world-class striker Robin van Persie to carry them each match.

The Dutch striker leads the league with 19 goals, but no one else on the club has more than four league goals. If you shut down Van Persie, you shut down Arsenal, yet Wenger still hasn't found a capable striker partner for him.

Thierry Henry was a good signing and has given the club and the fans a lift, but he won't be a short or long-term fix for the club's attacking deficiencies.

A striker such as Loic Remy of Marseille would have been a perfect signing for Arsenal. Remy is a young striker who has experience in the Champions League and has been fantastic for the Ligue 1 club this season. He would have been a perfect partner for Van Persie at striker.

I understand that January transfers are often not made because clubs ask too much for stars and other clubs don't want to overpay for players they can acquire in the summer for less. But Arsenal can not wait until the summer to buy quality players.

The Gunners need to improve right now. Not making the Champions League would be devastating for the club, both financially and on the pitch. Big-name stars won't come to the Emirates in the summer if Champions League football won't be available to them at Arsenal.

Wenger has to make a move on deadline day or he is basically giving up on the season. If you think Arsenal can qualify for the Champions League ahead of Chelsea with the Gunners' current squad then you are being overly optimistic. Chelsea have struggled this season and still hold a five-point edge on their London rivals.

Arsenal has been disappointing in the transfer window thus far and if they don't act at the last minute, they will not have the talent needed to qualify for the Champions League. As a result, Van Persie may move away from the club in the summer as his contract nears its end. That would devastate the club for years.

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