All clubs want to sign world-class players with a winning mentality and a footballing CV which boasts some of the elite honours in the sport. Arsenal have been a side lacking this for many years, but have gradually added more experience to the side and the impact on the club’s competitiveness in terms of the title race has been obvious for all to see.
That said, for the past two seasons they have fallen short of lifting the fabled Premier League title despite outperforming most people’s expectations . Many feel that the club needs yet more players with the experience of winning the biggest honours to do this.
However, as the club pushes to sign a young striker in Benjamin Sesko, many are questioning if this is the right move. The summer market is expected to be a busy one for Arsenal, and there is seemingly a focus on younger stars who can add depth to several positions like the Slovenian striker.
The idea that title-winning experience is the difference for Arsenal raises several questions because a glaring hypocrisy emerges without clarity. Two players whose futures are not assured at Arsenal this summer are Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The latter in particular has lost his place to Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu while Jurrien Timber’s recovery means yet another will be battling out for a starting role. Both Zinchenko and Jesus were signed in 2022 from Manchester City having won several Premier League titles with the club.
Is this not the experience that some fans are after? If so, why is it okay for one or both of these to leave? Surely Arsenal would be losing players with the knowledge of how to win the league?
Not to forget that when Kai Havertz arrived, the move was widely criticised and fans were not convinced that the club had invested well – thankfully the German’s form would prove all the doubters wrong. But do not forget, Havertz arrived as a player with a Champions League medal only secured thanks to his goal in the final against Man City.
He followed Jorginho to the club too, another player whose move again was not exactly received with jubilation by the most vocal of fans. Jorginho not so long ago had been nominated for the Ballon d’Or after winning both the Champions League and European Championships in the same summer.
It is a bonus if Arsenal sign players who have ,won the biggest of trophies but what matters most is their individual quality, how seamlessly they fit into the plans of Mikel Arteta and that they share the desire of the side to win more honours. The experience of winning the elite trophies is one thing; being able to deliver them in north London is something else entirely.
