Arsenal Transfer News: Grading Arsenal's Activity in the Summer Window

Silly season has ended, and Arsene Wenger is still the silliest of all.

Okay, this is neither a Wenger bashing nor a pessimistic article about Arsenal's fortunes. I just had to get that out of the way so I could present this article as objectively as possible.

There may be some shots taken throughout, but here it goes.

Despite the very recent positive change in Arsenal's fortunes, the overall activity of the Gunners during this window has been a worry.

Arsene Wenger's hand was forced by the fans or the board, or both, and he may very well have gone through the last few days with a gun to his head.

When Wenger looks back at all the money he spent at the end of the transfer window, he will probably pop some Pepto-Bismol for a stomach ache.

This summer presented an unusually high number of departures and arrivals at the Emirates stadium and, on paper, things look a lot better than they did a few days ago.

This article will judge the players that have left just as much as the players that have come in, with a final grade for overall activity at the end.

Of course, more time will be spent on the incoming players, as they are the only ones really able to have an impact on the squad now.

Without further ado, this slideshow presents a comprehensive grade for the Gunners' summer window.

The Departures

Considering the amount of people that left—nine in total—it is even more astounding that the two major deals, Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, left such a huge gap in Arsenal's core.

That aside, let us take a little look at what these departures meant and how they were handled.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas: There is not much to be said about this one. He was another young player deemed unfit to carry on at the Emirates. Interestingly enough, Emmanuel-Thomas was heavily involved in last year's preseason and featured in some Arsenal game last year. He is not a huge loss.

Gael Clichy: Considering Clichy's recent form and injury problems, this transfer was not a big deal, except for the fact that he plays for a title rival. I am not sure if I prefer our current options over Clichy at his best, but more on that later.

Pedro Botelho: Botelho has been a loan expert since his time at the Emirates, and yet again he is helping out a lower-class Spanish side. He will likely soon be sold and is obviously not going to play a big part in Arsenal's future. No qualms there.

Carlos Vela: Another loan spell for Vela does not bode well. Wenger must be displeased with something, as I believe Vela should have been given a proper chance this season. Despite our attacking additions, this is still questionable.

Armand Traore: Traore is another player who has spent a lot of time on loan but has now gone permanently. He was never going to surpass Gibbs despite all his speed, and his performance alongside with the rest of the defense at Old Trafford probably sealed his fate.

Emmanuel Eboue: Eboue was always one of the most likely players to leave, and it finally happened. His energy and versatility will be missed, but his whining, antics, and mistakes won't. Still, he could have had half a season more; again, more on that later.

Denilson: Just like Eboue, Denilson's foot was on the doorstep. He was never overly convincing in the majority of his performances, and was quickly surpassed by both Jack Wilshire and Aaron Ramsey. Maybe a loan deal back to Brazil will do him good, but he is a body that was not needed this year.

Nicklas Bendtner: The majority of fans will be happy with this deal. Bendtner's ego may have made him a somewhat unstable locker-room presence, but he did have an interesting statistical output. Maybe his time at Sunderland will unlock his true potential, or expose him fully.

Samir Nasri: This deal could have been avoided from the very start.

With too much contract money tied up with unworthy players, Wenger could not give Nasri money, but he also did not want to give him more money. Nasri started sniffing around and finally found his exit. His quality will be missed, but he wanted to leave, so there was no reason to keep him.

Cesc Fabregas: This one was coming for some time, but it was handled poorly throughout. Cesc didn't want to state the obvious, and Wenger was extremely stubborn. He could have let him go and had replacements earlier in the summer. At least it is over now.

Overall Income: 63,685,600 £

Grade: D

Our two biggest deals were handled poorly and, even then, Wenger could have spent time finding replacements, instead of trying so hard to keep players who were ready to leave.

Others who did leave, like Carlos Vela and Emmanuel Eboue, could have kept our depth at a greater level.

Carl Jenkinson

Age: 19

Price: 990,000 £

Immediate Need: Yes and no

Evaluation: Jenkinson is a prospect for the future, and not for the now.

He could have very well been sent on loan to the Championship, or a lower Premiership team for experience. Eboue should have been kept to back up Sagna, with Jenkinson third to play if really needed, or in cup games.

In terms of actual transfers, this deal was done quickly and quietly.

Grade: C+

Joel Campbell

Age: 19

Price: 880,000 £

Immediate Need: No

Evaluation: Campbell was never going to play for Arsenal right away.

He showed skill during his international performances, but his is a tricky situation. He could end up being a world beater, or he could end up a loan expert, like Samuel Galindo or Pedro Botelho.

This deal took longer than it needed to for whatever reason.

Grade: C+

Gervinho

Age: 24

Price: 10,560,000 £

Immediate Need: YES!

Evaluation: Gervinho will definitely turn out to be a fantastic purchase.

During the few games he has played, he has given Arsenal a presence that they needed up top. When he returns full time, the left-wing spot is his to lose.

The deal took a little long but was worth it, and the player was actually able to play during preseason.

Grade: A

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Age: 17

Price: 12,144,000 £

Immediate Need: No

Evaluation: Alex has a lot of players in front of him, both on the wings and in midfield.

For Wenger to have spent what he did on him, which was the most he spent on one player all summer, means there is something there. He may not get a chance to show that for a while, though.

To beat out other top teams this summer was a significant feat.

Grade: B-

Chu Young Park

Age: 26

Price: 2,992,000 £

Immediate Need: Yes

Evaluation: The first of Arsenal's closing-day transfers, Park will be a solid player for the Gunners.

He will have to get used to the rigors of the Premiership, but he is not meant to be an integral part to the squad, so he will have time to find his footing.

A very cheap price tag means that if he does fail, it will not be too harmful financially.

Grade: B

Andre Santos

Age: 28

Price: 6,160,000 £

Immediate Need: Yes

Evaluation: This article says it all. Well, mostly.

Of all the late transfer deals, this one reeks the most of desperation. Santos may still make the Gunners back four look better, but I think I would prefer Clichy.

Considering the start Jose Enrique has made at Liverpool, one can only wonder.

Grade: D

Per Mertesacker

Age: 26

Price: 9,944,000 £

Immediate Need: YES!!

Evaluation: Finally. Finally.

The grade will get a boost because of the quality of the player, but Wenger really should have pulled the trigger on this early in the summer. Mertesacker was available at less than he was finally bought for, and Wenger could have still brought in another option.

Regardless, he is here, medal and all.

Grade: B+

Yossi Benayoun

Age: 31

Price: Loan

Immediate Need: Yes and No

Evaluation: Thankfully, no money was spent on a permanent deal.

Another desperation buy, but one that is more positive than the Santos deal. Benayoun will be behind Wilshere, Mikel Arteta, Ramsey, and probably Tomas Rosicky in the order so, given that scenario, he is sure to help.

He will also want to prove himself again at a top team.

Grade: C

Mikel Arteta

Age: 29

Price: 10,560,000 £

Immediate Need: YES!

Evaluation: Poor man's Cesc Fabregas? Better than no one at all.

The oldest full-time recruit will surely add some spark to the midfield, provided he stays injury free.

Still, there were options available throughout the summer who were younger and just as good, if not better.

Grade: B

Overall Grade

Arsene Wenger spent money.

Arsene Wenger may not have liked it, but the fans do, for the most part.

It is not a perfect world, but Arsenal's summer activity could have been a lot smoother.

Ideally, a replacement would have come for Fabregas with a similar price tag.

The Nasri money could have been split into another midfielder in the Nasri mold, as well as one of the Premiership defenders Wenger searched for.

Jose Enrique could have been bought for the exact same amount that Clichy was sold, and the Gervinho, Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain, Carl Jenkinson, and Chu Young Park deals could have stayed.

There would still be a lot of turnover, but Arsenal could have a squad similar to what they have now, much earlier in the summer.

But I did wake up this morning a bit happier than I have recently, so that must say something.

In terms of silverware, this outfit is more likely to challenge, though I see it being more FA Cup and Carling Cup, rather than Champions League and Premier League.

In Europe, the Barcelonas and Real Madrids are still very alive, as well as Milan, Bayern Munich, and others.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Chelsea are extremely strong to contend with, and, for the most part, those squads are more integrated than ours.

Overall though, things are more positive at the Emirates than they used to be.

Overall Expenditure: 54,230,000 £

Overall Grade: C

Considering poorly dealt–with transfers and hasty deadline deals, I feel this grade is fair enough.

A club like Arsenal should not have to find three to four players to upgrade the squad on deadline day.

That should have been done throughout the summer. All that time is done now, though, and it is time for the Gunners to respond on the pitch.