Under-fire Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been issued with a stinging criticism of the Gunners’ transfer business amid the news they have missed out on Emiliano Buendia.
Arteta led the Gunners to their worst season in 25 years, finishing eighth in the Premier League to miss out on European qualification.
That is despite the Emirates Stadium side continuing to spend vast sums of money on players who have failed to provide the quality needed.
Arteta has come under increasing pressure over the Gunners’ failures over this campaign, with the club set to be active in the summer transfer window.
But the window has not started out as they would have hoped, with the Gunners on the verge of missing out on Norwich playmaker Buendia.
Instead, it will be Aston Villa who will be the Argentine’s next club, with the Midlands side set to complete a club-record move for the 24-year-old.
That failure to sign a player who has appeared to be one of Arteta’s top targets in the latest in a line of transfer failures.
Another player who appears to showcase their failures is Nicolas Pepe, who has struggled to live up to his £72million price-tag.
It is deals like the one that brought Pepe to the Premier League which has left former Gunners star Emmanuel Petit blasting his former club’s strategy.
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“I don't recognise this club anymore, I don't see the Arsenal blood on the pitch,” Petit told The Sun.
“It's not the question of money because Arsenal have the power to put £70million on a player if they want to.
“It's a question of profile - who do you want for your team in terms of character and quality? What are Arsenal doing in the transfer market?
“I don't understand it. They spend money - a lot of money sometimes - but on the wrong player."
Petit, won the Premier League with the Gunners, also took aim at the performances of senior players at the club.
And he warned Arteta that the club face making another backwards step if those poor displays are not corrected.
“To be honest, I'm not really convinced - for four, five, six years now - with 60 per cent of the team," he said.
“This is a turning point for Arsenal, they are at the end of the world. They need to take the right direction or else they'll drop, drop and drop again and it'll be more difficult for them to attract players.
“You need to be more efficient in the transfer market because Arsenal cannot rely on academy players.
“With all the respect I have for [Bukayo] Saka and [Emile] Smith Rowe - they have been playing brilliantly, especially Saka - but the other players - the experienced players - what have they brought to the team since they've arrived?
“Ask yourself the question and try to get the answer with honesty. You have to look at yourself in the mirror.”
