Manchester United got an early win over Arsenal in the transfer window as they succeeded in luring Lisandro Martinez to Old Trafford. That said, the Red Devils went far beyond what Arsenal were willing to pay with a €67 million (£57 million) deal being agreed.
Arsenal have been positive with their spending by bringing in Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Fabio Vieira for sizeable fees. However, they have not overspent on talent and stopped short of going big on Martinez and Raphinha.
However, had United managed to pull off a deal for Frenkie de Jong, it would have certainly been a cause for concern. The Dutchman is a world-class central midfielder and elevates that team to an incredibly high standard in his position under a coach who helped him develop to the level that earned him that move to Barcelona.
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However, according to The Athletic, Man United are now exploring the possibility of signing Adrien Rabiot as a potential alternative. United have also reportedly had a bid rejected for Marko Arnautovic.
Both players are not profiles that would raise the standard at United at all. When you compare this type of business to Arsenal’s it is glum reading for the north London rivals' old title-challenging adversary.
Jesus gave Arsenal a serious step up at striker. Zinchenko has enabled Arsenal to have a player as good as, or potentially even better than, Kieran Tierney at left-back.
Whilst moves for Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Thomas Partey, Martin Odegaard, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Aaron Ramsdale have upgraded several areas across the previous two summer windows. Arsenal are focusing on one thing with their signings and that’s pushing the needing for the relevant role that the player joins to strengthen.
Man United feel like a side under Erik ten Hag who are where Arsenal were at the start of Mikel Arteta’s tenure. A side that was faltering, stuttering and, ultimately, regressing.
The difference is the business being done is progressive from the Gunners whereas at United it is incredibly risky, underwhelming and arguably lacking a clear direction. It is clear that the team lacks a quality central midfielder, a better centre-half, an improvement at right-back and a centre-forward that can work collaboratively with the quality surrounding them.
The centre-half might have been addressed in Martinez but his debut against Brighton was far from solid and he should have been penalised in the box for a foul on Danny Welbeck. The rest however do not look like being sorted.
Rabiot is not the player they need in midfield. Meanwhile, the potential arrival of Arnautovic is yet another introverted player who managed one assist in 33 Serie A matches.
On the other hand, Arsenal prior to Arteta’s arrival needed a new midfielder, centre-half and, in all honesty, an overall upgrade in quality. Partey, White and Gabriel’s arrivals have seriously raised the levels of the spine of the team.
Gabriel Jesus provides a potentially world-class focal point to mesh together all the work done around the number nine role. There is a coherent plan of what the recruitment is and where it is going; despite some pundits’ contrasting views that now look like a bit of a stretch.
Arsenal and Man United may have their sights on the same goal, to get back to the top. However only one of them is well-placed to try and achieve it.
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