Why Arsenal are not spending in the January transfer window despite Man City's shopping spree
Arsenal supporters have been informed that their club's decision not to spend big in the January transfer window is strategic rather than as a result of fears relating to Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
The Gunners were one of the favourites to win the Premier League at the beginning of the season with some complacency expected from four-in-a-row champions Manchester City. However, City's collapse has been more severe than first thought and Arsenal have not taken advantage.
They currently sit six points behind Liverpool having played a game more and it is clear that they are lacking a striker to add a cutting edge up front. Despite this, as things stand, Arsenal are not being proactive in the January transfer window and are running out of time to meaningfully alter their squad for the run-in.
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Speaking exclusively to Football.london, football finance expert from Sheffield Hallam University and Bet Ideas ambassador Dr Dan Plumley insists the decision not to spend is a choice from the Gunners' boardroom rather than an imposed restriction by the Premier League's financial rules. "Arsenal is an interesting one because of their fairly quiet summer and now looking like they need reinforcements but not going into this window," he explained.
"Ultimately, that is a strategic decision from the club. We are asking questions as to why Arsenal aren’t spending and potentially there is a bit of PSR in that.
"We know they have not been charged, we know they have been on UEFA’s watchlist recently, so maybe there is a bit of that in there too but from the outside looking in, there is no severe issue with PSR so it does seem to be a conscious decision from Arsenal not to spend but that could change in the next few days."
In the meantime, City have brought in a trio of new signings and secured Erling Haaland to a bumper new contract. Arsenal, on the other hand, are now being linked with Bayern Munich's Mathys Tel after he declared his interest in exploring his options away from Bavaria.
