Wenger’s wisdom: Why Arsenal were right to not splash the cash in January

With Arsenal fans hoping for a major January signing, Arsene Wenger reminded the press that it was unlikely that the Gunners would make a major signing. Is Wenger right to wait until the summer to sign the big name, that Arsenal fans are craving?

A player being available is not the only issue to buying in January. If, in a rare occasion a top quality player becomes available, it is often at an inflated price. Some could argue that it is worth paying the inflated figure in order to give the clubs season a boost needed to help them win silverware come May. From a fans point of view, spending that little bit extra doesn’t mean a lot, and after all, especially for Arsenal fans whose team charges such high prices, maybe they deserve such a signing? Sometimes it can be completely out of the club and managers control, with the January market particularly static, the lack of movement can prevent deals from happening.

A deal for Draxler became an increasing possibility in the last few days of the January transfer window, but seeing as the window has gone and passed it looks likely that it might be a deal pre-arranged for the summer, should the deal actually happen.

It is easy to see why Wenger has taken a more cautious approach to the transfer market in recent years. Whilst this may seem frustrating for the fans, for the club it is a much more sensible route. You can argue that sometimes gambles need to be taken in order win silverware. If you look at Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United they have both won titles over the last ten years, but during that time, they have made many mistakes in the transfer market.

A loan move is what Wenger went for in January, signing Kim Kallstrom. But this signing has perhaps backfired, as the player is injured for around four weeks. However, in terms of big money buys Wenger was right to hold his nerve and not sign anyone, as it would not be in the interests of the club to sign a big money player who they didn’t feel was value for money.