I'm p*ssed that we went in with an all or nothing type strategy, particularly as the transfer window only applies for player registrations = you can make a deal at any time. Whilst I agree that paying 75m to activate Isak's release clause and an 18 month loan for Melo with an obligation to buy for 40m are not the answers, I do not accept they were the only answers unless we hadn't done our home work properly.
I also feel we stayed engaged with both Vlahovic and Melo for at least a week too long, unless it was simply for show to keep the fans placated, which is certainly what I feel in regards to our 'links' to other players in the last week of the transfer window. I'm surprised there was no real talk of any interest in the likes of Scamacca, Svanberg, Schick, Neves or even Gabigol if we're looking to improve our goals. MC signed Alvarez for 14m ffs. Hell I'd have even been onboard with an attempt to sign Dybala from Juve before or after Vlahovic & before they moved Ramsey, and play him as a false9 in a 433.
Whilst I'm not fussed about the individual departures I am p*ssed that for all the activity we failed to actually improve the team and our prospects for this season. I could accept us being light on numbers IF our 18 man match day squad was fit for purpose, but we've done nothing to rectify the issues in either Midfield or Attack. I've seen comments that next summer will need as much work to be done as last summer, and that's not taking into account the potential need to rebuild squad depth. At this point based upon the combined failures of the two transfer windows this season, I do not believe we are either capable nor have the finances to do so effectively, although I'd be stoked if we could somehow manage to do so.
As I've said elsewhere my other concern for the rest of the season is if we struggle for goals/results, and Arteta does not budge from his 4231 and it's requirements. I mentioned in the formation thread that one option to improve our number of goal scorers on the pitch would be to change to a 3421 / 3412 with using the likes of Martinelli and/or Pepe as SS/ST alongside Laca. I'll be concerned if we do not see any changes to fit the circumstances if things do not go well and before it gets too late.
Similarly I do not consider Arteta to have any excuse to not regain top4 just because our goal at the start of the season was simply to regain UEFA qualification. The fact of the matter was going into this transfer window we were in the top4 with an opportunity to improve the starting XI in relation to the other big6 competing for top4, and we didn't. That for me lacks ambition and smacks of negligence. If there is talk of trusting the process and the bigger picture they can go frakk themselves.
