Arsenal's biggest transfer mistake was actually made eight months ago by Andrea Berta
Arsenal fans are not happy at all with the lack of attacking signings in this transfer window.
Andrea Berta has signed Christos Tzolis, but with Leandro Trossard sold and Gabriel Martinelli about to be moved on as well, the Gunners are short in attack.
All the criticism being directed at the Arsenal sporting director is for what has gone on since this summer’s transfer window opened.
But the biggest mistake was made by Berta several months ago.
Andrea Berta’s Antoine Semenyo mistake in January is costing Arsenal now
Antoine Semenyo was wanted by almost every top club in the January transfer window this year.
The Ghana international had a terrific season at Bournemouth up until that point, and he was ready to move to a bigger club.
David Ornstein revealed last December that Semenyo’s first choice was Arsenal, and the fact that he was available for just around £65 million made him an easy target to sign.
However, the Gunners decided that they wanted nobody in January, and Semenyo was not willing to wait until the summer transfer window.
Manchester City then swooped in and got the deal done, and the versatile attacker has been magnificent for them since.
Arsenal fans felt Berta had made a mistake by not signing Semenyo at the time, and that has proved to be right.
The Italian could not get deals done for Morgan Rogers or Vinicius Jr, and Arsenal are still looking for reinforcements in the final days of the window.
If Berta had just signed Semenyo, Arsenal would’ve been in a position now where they didn’t have to look for options this late.
We think there is definitely some regret behind the scenes at the Emirates about not signing the Manchester City number 42.
Andrea Berta needs to sign a new attacker before the transfer window shuts
Arsenal going into the new season without another attacking signing could be a huge mistake, and this cannot be stressed enough.
Relying on Tzolis and Eberechi Eze for the whole season could backfire, especially if one or both players end up missing games.
Arsenal are best placed to retain the Premier League title, but if there is one thing that could cost them, it’s not signing a new attacker.
That puts huge pressure on Berta as we enter the final two days of the summer transfer window. Hopefully, he can right the wrong of not signing Semenyo before Tuesday’s deadline.
