Arsenal plan to spend £70 million this summer on two Germany internationals and a Poland star.
Arsenal have £70 million to spend this summer, and will throw the bulk of the money towards the German Bundesliga, according to the Daily Mirror.
The Gunners have earmarked Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski of Borussia Dortmund, as well as Lars Bender of Bayer 04 Leverkusen as the men to get the Gunners competing for trophies again, and such top quality acquisitions would certainly enhance their chances.
Of the three, it would arguably be Bender who would be the most important addition to the Gunners’ squad.
A true defensive midfielder to protect the back four would be a great asset to the team, with the back four so often exposed. As well as Mikel Arteta has filled in at the anchor position, and as much as Aaron Ramsey has grown into the role, both are round pegs in square holes.
Arteta has looked particularly exposed against the best teams in Europe, who have tended to target him, and at the age of 31, Arsene Wenger will be beginning to think about looking at other options to the Lego-haired Spaniard.
Wenger’s reluctance to offer multi-year deals to the players over 30 years-old in his squad is well documented, with Robert Pires’ premature exit the most famous example.
Bender would be a fine addition to the centre of the park, and though he is not quite at the same level as his twin brother Sven at Borussia Dortmund, he would be a significant upgrade on Arsenal’s current options.
Gunners goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has spoken this season of the need to defend from the front, and there are few teams better at pressing the opposition than Dortmund, with Barcelona having eased off their relentless harrying of opponents since Pep Guardiola left.
That has been something that Wenger has looked to bring to Arsenal for a very long time, and Signal Iduna Park staples Mario Goetze and Robert Lewandowski would quickly accelerate that process.
What’s more, they might bring somewhat more of a cutting edge to the Gunners’ attack.
Lewandowski has scored 50 goals in 73 starts for Borussia Dortmund, and with his contract expiring at the end of next season, the Bundesliga champions could be tempted to cash in this summer.
Goetze meanwhile is amongst the best young talents in the world, and his quick feet and vision could help Arsenal create more chances.
Although it is hard to see Arsene Wenger spending the vast amounts of cash required to bring the three players to Emirates Stadium this summer, but there are signs that the Frenchman will relax the purse strings for the coming transfer window.
Perhaps then, Arsenal would be able to again challenge for trophies, after eight years without major honours.
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