Arsenal fans are still waiting for "Diamond Eye" to produce the type of signings that made him famous at Borussia Dortmund.
Sven Mislintat ’s arrival at Arsenal was greeted with great optimism. Here was a man that during his time at Borussia Dortmund signed some unbelievable players for unbelievable prices. Here are 4 examples:
4 times Bundesliga winner & World Cup Winner. Sold back to Bayern Munich for £31 million
6 Bundesliga Titles and scorer of 180 goals in 257 games since his move to Germany
2 Bundesliga and 1 Premier League title. Integral Part of Klopp’s title winning team.
After 1 season sold to Barcelona for £103.5 Million. £90 million profit. La Liga Winner
That is a list of players that were young, hungry and full of potential. 3 on that list have had careers where they have realised that potential and won multiple titles. The other on the list won his first League title last season.
So, it is easy to understand why Arsenal fans might be a little disappointed with Mislintat ’s signings and mooted potential signings so far.
3 players arrived at Emirates in The January 2018 window:
A player Mislintat signed as a 23-year old from St Etienne for £11.7 million for Dortmund. Was signed for Arsenal at the markedly higher price of £56 million.
However, he was cup tied and could not play in the Europa League which was Arsenal best chance of silverware and best chance to get back into the Champions league. Getting back into the Champions League would have gone some way to repaying the club record transfer fee paid for his services.
Straight Swap with Alexis Sanchez
Another former Mislintat signing at Dortmund. Mkhitaryan’s stock was very high during his 3 years stay at The Westfalenstadion. 40 goals & 49 Assists from 140 appearances in top league is an exceptional return for an attacking midfielder.
His stock dropped during his time at Old Trafford and on paper it appeared that United got the better end of the deal. Especially when you consider Arsenal’s alleged request for Anthony Martial would have represented better value.
His return of 3 goals and 6 assists from 17 appearances is better than what he was doing at Old Trafford but not yet up to the standards he set at Dortmund & Shakhtar Donetsk.
An unheralded young centre back from Greece who impressed on his Arsenal Debut at Old Trafford by coming out on top in his battle with one of the Premier League’s most prolific strikers, Romelu Lukaku.
Was on Mislintat ’s radar while he was still at Dortmund and was his first signing as Arsenal’s Head of Recruitment.
This was the kind of signing Arsenal fans had expected upon Sven Mislintat ’s appointment.
Given the success & profile of Aubameyang and the ease in which Mkhitaryan has settled in at The Emirates. Those signings would not be a cause for alarm. Although, unless they sell within the next two seasons there is not much sell on value in either player.
It has been the players rumoured to be on the cusp of signing for Arsenal for the upcoming season that has led to some questions from the media and certain sections of the Arsenal fan base:
Arsenal have been in dire need of a good central defensive signing for a few seasons. While it is refreshing to see that being addressed. Sokratis is a defender that is quick to go to ground and is comparable to a current Arsenal centre back who has been less than impressive since signing, Shkodran Mustafi. It would also be a 3rd ex Dortmund player following Mislintat to the Emirates, if the deal is completed. It would be another player approaching 30 and not one of the talented young players they have on their books. One of Jadon Sancho, Manuel Akanji, Julian Weigl, Mahmoud Dahoud or Christian Pulisic would be a more welcoming signing I would dare to venture.
There are 3 rights backs available on a free transfer this summer, including Lichtsteiner and excluding Mathieu Debuchy. The other 2 available options are 25-year-old Fulham right back Ryan Federicks and 19-year-old Real Madrid Right Back Achraf Hakimi.
While Lichtsteiner’s career cannot be called into question. A 7-time Serie A and 5-time Italian Cup winner during his time at Juventus. Having that winning mentality around the squad is invaluable but at 34 years old he is at the end of his career and unlikely to improve. Fullback is one of the most physically demanding positions in football and signing a younger option would have surely made more sense? Plus, there would be some potential return on investment with the other 2 free transfers.
2 years away from the Champions League is not doing the club’s finances any favours. There have also been heavy outlays on players such as Aubameyang and Lacazette with no significant sale returns aside from “The Ox” transfer to Liverpool. Despite having large cash reserves the club still need to monitor their finances.
The club have a limited budget for transfers this season and the only sellable assets Arsenal currently have are Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin. Both of which, especially the former, would seem to be at the forefront of new manager Unai Emery’s plans for the upcoming season. So that would potentially rule out their sale to raise more funds.
The rumours could be a smokescreen to mask Mislintat ’s true targets but the Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan deals were common knowledge weeks before they were finalised. We are also only 6 months into his tenure at The Emirates. But I ask Arsenal fans this:
Are you a little underwhelmed or concerned with Head of Recruitment Sven Mislintat ’s work so far?
Or is it too soon to judge?
Is his eye still an oppenheimer diamond or is it now a cubic zirconia?
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