How Arsene Wenger’s January transfers won the league

Perhaps it will be Arsenal’s year after all. Arsene Wenger had promised, before the start of the transfer window, that he would have a busy time. And he certainly delivered on his statement. Arsenal’s squad was transformed by his transfer action, which seemed to be non-stop from the start to the end of January. Over £80 million was spent on strengthening, in order to finally deliver the Premier League title he has not been able to win since the 2003/4 season.

You can pick out three key matches of the last month that have been directly influenced by Wenger’s strength and decisiveness in the market. In the past he would have trusted youngsters to step up, and existing players to play with more consistency than ever before. That has almost always failed in the past, hence him changing his ways. Instead, three huge, impressive signings have changed the complexion of the squad, and they have moved ahead of their Premier League rivals. Instead of waiting for things to ameliorate by luck, Wenger has taken control of his future. No wonder Arsenal fans are now more confident than ever that as well as every poll on the internet, they will finally win the Premier League again.

We’ve taken a look at how each signing has contributed to a demonstrable change in approach and effectiveness of Wenger’s new-look side.

John Stones shows he can dominate for a decade against Chelsea

There was a huge improvement against Chelsea, which few expected. In their first match this season, Diego Costa was able to needle and wind up Arsenal’s brittle defence and claim an early numerical advantage by provoking a sending off. It was the same old Arsenal, not capable of keeping their cool in situations when game intelligence is really needed.

Wenger knew that, of course, and finally resolved to take action. That’s why he made a ruthless move for John Stones, with Chelsea unwilling to spend big for their interim manager, and Louis van Gaal cut off from Manchester United’s usually strong financial support of their recent managers. Stones may be inexperienced, but for all the inevitable mistakes he makes, they do not come as a result of being goaded by opponents. The manner in which he dealt with Costa’s constant niggles and mouthing off was preternaturally calm. That calmness spread to the backline, and their disciplined defence saw Arsenal claim a clean sheet, and they secured a routine 2-0 victory over their London rivals.

Victor Wanyama adds steel to a brittle Arsenal midfield

In the past, Arsenal have struggled with the physicality that Stoke offered. You can go back to the game where Ryan Shawcross broke Aaron Ramsey’s leg with a disgraceful and reckless challenge, and Arsenal have never quite got over the fallout. Indeed, Ramsey - and he is within his rights to do so - has no interest in the apologies that Shawcross has attempted to make.

Fans were obviously worried when Wenger’s promise to strengthen the side came when Mohamed Elneny joined from FC Basel. For all his promise, a young player in the Swiss leagues is not the kind of brutish presence they needed to stand up to physical sides. Wenger himself described him as, ‘not a monster’.

There was palpable relief, then, that Victor Wanyama joined them from Southampton. While his form has suffered in a Southampton side who have struggled to replicate their previous success, he has shown qualities that top sides could use. His short passing, once his biggest weakness, has improved sufficiently to be of use in Arsenal. He could keep things simple, as he did when launching counter-attacks at the Britannia Stadium. But what was most impressive was the way in which he repeatedly deposited Charlie Adam on his behind, with barely concealed contempt. After years of going to Stoke City unsure of whether they could cope with the aggression they could face, they instead visited now capable of standing up to any violence, and with the knowledge that they were improving their squad in every area of the pitch.

Edinson Cavani proves a big step up on the inconsistent Olivier Giroud

Against Southampton, they were finally able to drop the misfiring, inconsistent and mediocre Olivier Giroud. And that made the difference, putting Arsenal several points clear of Leicester and Manchester City. Instead, Edinson Cavani made the difference, showing what the difference is between an also-ran like Giroud and an experienced, top flight forward like Cavani.

Cavani has spent years being sidelined at Paris Saint-Germain, so was ready to make the very most of being able to play as a centre forward. With Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez finally given the kind of striker who can make the most of their clever play, and who won’t bottle opportunities at regular intervals, things have drastically improved in their attacking play. Wenger must wonder why he waited so long to act.