Transfers to build on a winning team not for transfers sake

So players arriving in August will not be called upon to save a sinking ship, more to add wind to already billowing sails.I do not want our new signings to arrive in August any more than the next fan. I would however prefer the right buys at the right price in the right positions in August than a hasty poorly negotiated signings in July. I also feel that top quality players coming into this current squad will not find it difficult to adjust and fit in if Wenger has time to ensure he gets the right additions. I am not saying cheap and cheerful. I am saying quality and expensive, but if we are going to spend heavily let’s ensure we get it right.

Many will not agree and would love to have seen Higuain, Rooney, Jovetic or Cesc boarding that plane last night. Hell we all would but there is plenty of evidence that top players joining a strong team in August can make it work trust me. Here are a few examples you may recall……

Thierry Henry – Signed 3rd August 1999 – Came in late and only managed 17 goals and 12 assists in 31 games. What a loser, no idea what became of him?

Sylvain Wiltord – This chap had the nerve to come after the season began at the very end of August having scored the winning goal in Euro 2000. He only managed 8 goals and 10 assists in 27 league games

Gilberto Silva – Signed 7th August 2002 – Fresh from winning the World Cup and with no pre-season at all Gilberto arrived only 17 days before the season opener and only missed 3 league games.

Late signing, no pre-season, no matter!

Three of our greats and all three success stories in their first season having arrived missing pre-season with their team mates

Let’s roll the clock forward to the disastrous deadline day of 2011. Yes there were mistakes made but 2 of the players Wenger had been linked with for some time and had fully done his homework about came to the Emirates.

Both Mikel Arteta and Per Mertesacker arrived at the end of August when the side was at its lowest ebb following the humiliation at old Trafford and made an instant impact. The Spaniard particularly was an ever present when fit starting 29 of the 35 remaining games and only missing out through injury.

Very late, very right and very good business

Just a few fairly significant examples of August business that was great business for Arsenal FC and brought success and stability especially in the case of the ones from 2011. There is no disruption in adding quality players to an already successful group of players. As Liverpool did in the 1970s and 80s and Man United have done in recent times the great sides add a small number of better players to winning group. Arsenal did this in the summers before Wenger’s title winning seasons as the excellent Michael Jeffares observed on Gunners Town a while back. So yes now is the time to add top quality to a group of existing players who are together and have a winning mentality carried over from May. If however we add the sprinkling of star quality in July or August, whilst frustrating for us now will not matter over the season, as long as the additions are better than what we have.

The club are working hard and trust me I don’t think we will be disappointed come August – GOOD THINGS REALLY DO COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT!