Arsenal Transfers: Farewell Cesc Fabregas, Now Let's Actually Improve the Team

We have known that Cesc Fabregas was going to leave Arsenal for his native Barcelona for some time.

The question became a matter of when, not if. And as reports come out saying that the transfer is all but done, it appears as if the question of "when" is finally getting an answer.

However, as I have said, the departure of Fabregas is not all bad; in fact, it might actually benefit the Arsenal squad. The most important reason I listed was money, as Fabregas's transfer fee will bring in a hefty sum (reported to be £35 million) to Arsene Wenger's transfer kitty.

This sudden massive infusion must act as a shot of adrenaline in Arsene Wenger's arm, as it is now his duty to actually spend all the money we are receiving for very talented players to actually fill the gaping holes in the squad.

There has been much too much dawdling and indecisiveness from Wenger in this transfer window, one in which he said he would be very active in. This is the time for him to act, and act he must if he is to preserve the dignity of the club and even qualify for the Champions League next year.

Before moving on, I am unfortunately obligated to define "activity" in the transfer market, as Arsene Wenger seems to lack all common sense and operate by his own ridiculous meaning of the term.

By "activity," I mean buying players who are currently in their prime, have considerable top-flight experience and can immediately help the squad. I do not mean purchasing 17-year-old wunderkinds who have potential that will take five years to fulfill.

Do we understand each other? Good, let's move on.

First and foremost, there is the obvious need for defensive reinforcements. Everyone except Wenger seems to think so. But maybe, perhaps, through some stroke of divine wisdom, an extra £35 million will finally lift Wenger's head out of the sand, and he will finally buy a quality defender.

This is, unfortunately, merely speculation and wishful thinking on my part. But I would still like to think that Wenger would not be so incredibly and unnecessarily reluctant to spend £17 million on Gary Cahill when he has a £65 million transfer kitty, not even including the potential fee that Samir Nasri could bring.

Let's be honest here: there would be absolutely no excuse one could make for Wenger if he kept up his extreme and unnecessarily frugal ways after being presented with this kind of cash.

Unfortunately, though, there is no precedent to suggest he will do otherwise, which is really a shame for Arsenal Football Club, which purports to actually be among the big boys.

Look at Liverpool: they received £50 million for Fernando Torres, then immediately spent it on Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez. That seemed to work out fairly well for them last season, and now, they could steal the fourth spot from us.

But there is still the small matter of replacing Fabregas in midfield. Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey are undoubtedly two young players of extremely high quality, but they are not yet ready to shoulder the entire creative burden that Cesc Fabregas carried.

So, again we find ourselves asking Wenger to actually spend on a mature player of high quality. If speculation is to be believed, it would seem that he just cannot quite get the memo, as it appears that Arsenal could be in for £12 million Brazilian Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Jadson.

It goes without saying that the Ukranian league is quite a bit worse than the Premier League, and signing an obscure Brazilian for much less money than Wenger has to spend does not seem like the most intelligent move.

There still is Juan Mata, remember, and though the Spaniard's release clause has jumped to stratospheric levels, it does not mean that Arsenal will have to pay it on order to get their man. Just make an offer that is respectable to Valencia, and they will sell, though they are not contractually obligated to. Simple as that.

When one sizes up the gaping holes that already exist in the Arsenal squad and adds the crater left by Cesc Fabregas, it is clear that affirmative steps must be taken to improve the squad.

If Arsene Wenger really harbors realistic ambitions of winning the Premier League—or any trophy, really—he must swallow the bitter pill and actually purchase established players to add quality and depth to an Arsenal squad that has a dearth of both.

In the past, the debts from the Emirates Stadium have been cited as reasons why Wenger has needed to be frugal in the transfer market—Wenger did not have much money to spend.

Now, however, there is no excuse. Even without the imminent transfer of Nasri, Arsenal find themselves with the kind of resources that only sugar-daddy clubs have.

You have until September 1, Mr. Wenger. Prove to me that you can be a competent manager again.

This is the best chance you will ever get.

 

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