Arsene Wenger, at last, splashed out big cash to improve three problem positions for Arsenal.
Granit Xhaka, Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi were all drafted in to improve the options in central midfield, forward and defence as Le Prof looks to shift some of the pressure on his shoulders.
Despite spending big, this summer may indeed to be another case of ‘What If?’, in what is surely now a chronicle of similar tales across the latter portion of Wenger’s reign in charge.
With the two Manchester giants breaking records in the market this summer, the failed pursuit for the likes of Alexandre Lacazette could ultimately haunt the Gunners.
Much to the annoyance of the Emirates faithful in the Transfer Tavern, some of their fellow drinkers have constructed an eleven based on what the club could have had if Wenger wasn’t, you know, Wenger.
It makes pretty grim reading for the Gunners, to say the least.
GK: Petr Cech
Nothing much to say here, with Petr Cech remaining one of the best stoppers in the Premier League and a bonafide superstar between the sticks.
Few out there would improve on the Czech.
RB: Hector Bellerin
Same goes for Hector Bellerin, who has emerged as one of the most promising full-backs in European football during days of dearth in those particular berths.
CB: Laurent Koscielny
Wenger’s best signing in the latter part of his reign?
The one pluck from obscurity since the glory days that seem so long ago, the classy Frenchman is truly top class.
CB: Shkodran Mustafi
Shkodran Mustafi is a complete upgrade on fellow German World Cup winner Per Mertesacker, finally giving the aforementioned Koscielny a formidable partner.
LB: Nacho Monreal
Having ousted Kieran Gibbs as Arsenal’s first-choice left back for much of the past 18 months, Nacho Monreal has rightly earned his reputation as one of the most reliable wide defenders in the league.
CDM: Granit Xhaka
Despite a dodgy debut against Liverpool on the opening day of the season, Swiss maestro Granit Xhaka is going some way to prove himself as a genuine Premier League star.
He has the tenacious ability to win the ball back while boasting the quality distribution to work in an Arsenal team.
CDM: Santi Cazorla
After arriving in North London as a playmaker back in 2012, Santi Cazorla has morphed into a wonderful deep-lying playmaker in the past year or so.
Able to dictate play, the 31-year-old is a key element of the Gunners’ makeup.
RAM: Riyad Mahrez
While Wenger boasts a number of attacking options, there’s little doubt Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez would have improved Arsenal no end.
One of the most lethal attackers in the division last term, he seemed tailor made for the Emirates, before he committed his future to the Foxes.
CAM: Mesut Ozil
Dispelling some of the questions that arose after his first year in England, Mesut Ozil has blossomed into the sort of superstar he was at Real Madrid.
The World Cup winner is simply magnificent and surely crucial to any title hopes the club harbour.
LAM: Alexis Sanchez
Stellar in his first season, frustrating in his second, Alexis Sanchez remains one of the club’s best players.
When on form, there are few forwards in the world who can match up to the all-action Chilean in terms of quality.
If he plays well, Arsenal will.
CF: Alexandre Lacazette
While Lucas Perez may well work out to be a masterstroke signing, the notion of having Lyon ace Alexandre Lacazette leading the line this season must leave a sour taste in the mouths of those at the Emirates.
The Frenchman, on paper at least, is the perfect man to finish off a liquid frontline for the Gunners.
Hitting top form already this season, he would have been quite the addition.
