Despite the punishing headlines, the opposition of a voluble section of the club’s fan-base and the scrutiny on Arsene Wenger, Arsenal’s majority stakeholder Stan Kroenke decided that the Frenchman was not past it.
The reason could have been Wenger’s tactical switch to a three-man defence late last season, which fetched a run of nine wins from 10 matches and ended in a confident victory over Premier League champion Chelsea in the FA Cup final.
Bolstered by the backing, Wenger has plunged into the transfer market looking for a 25-goal centre-forward and more creativity.
French stars Alexandre Lacazette and Thomas Lemar have been zeroed in on, and Wenger is reportedly working overtime to seal the deals despite the club’s initial bids being rejected.
Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck have fallen short in sterner tests, and the axe may fall on the Frenchman; there has been speculation that Giroud could be part of swap deal with Lyon for Lacazette.
There also rumours of Wenger swapping the club’s prized possession, Alexis Sanchez, for Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero.
The potential loss of Sanchez will be a blow, but Alex Iwobi and Alex Oxlade Chamberlain can fill the Chilean’s big boots if given space.
Kroenke and Wenger know winning the league for the first time since 2004 has to be the priority. To many supporters, the decision to persist with the Frenchman will be vindicated only if the club wins the Premier League title.
TARGETS
Alexandre Lacazette (Lyon)
26 | Centre-forward
Market value €40 million
The Frenchman looks the sort of No. 9 Wenger craves, a spearhead who can also serve as a bludgeon; a proper killer. Lacazette has fantastic dribbling ability and can use space effectively – a huge advantage in a 3-4-2-1 system. He’s also a penalty-taking ace.
Verdict: Can become a fan favourite
Thomas Lemar (Monaco)
21 | Left-winger
Market value €24 million
A possible replacement for Sanchez on the left-wing. He has the ability to tear open even the tightest of defences with his vision and intelligence. His dead-ball skill is a trait Wenger can rely on. His off-the-ball runs are often well-timed and productive.
Verdict: Value addition
