The Arsenal boss has come under fire for sitting on his hands during the final hours of the transfer window.
Arsene Wenger has taken a fair amount of criticism for his thrifty behavior during the summer transfer window, but he explained why he didn’t break the bank for a No. 9 this year.
According to the Metro, Wenger addressed the issue at a recent UEFA forum and stated that the lack of quality European strikers led to his decision not to sign one in the summer transfer window. Wenger noted that South America is where the best talent is.
“The strikers are South American today. Europe doesn’t produce strikers anymore,” Wenger said. “You look at countries like Germany, who played in Scotland or against Poland with Mario Gotze up front – he’s a creative midfielder.”
Wenger’s sentiment certainly falls in line with his spending practices. In 2014 he secured a transfer for Chilean super striker Alexis Sanchez, a move that paid huge dividends right away as Sanchez led the club with 16 league goals and over 20 total goals.
Wenger added, “I don’t think it’s because they do not want to play with a typical striker but they haven’t got one who’s really convincing at the top level. Who in Europe do you see?”
Arsenal were believed to be in the market for Real Madrid superstar Karim Benzema, but Benzema turned down all transfer offers a week before the deadline. The Gunners were later linked to a move for PSG’s Edinson Cavani, but nothing materialized.
Arsenal have just one offensive goal through four games this season. Two of their three goals have come from own goals.
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