A fortnight can be a long time in football. On the Premier League’s opening day just two weeks ago, Arsenal’s prospects for the season ahead looked dreadful after they suffered a 3-1 loss to Aston Villa, with the team plagued by injuries. Promises of spending big on new players hadn’t been met and the fans were starting to agitate. Arsène Wenger’s men then proceeded to embark on a run of three consecutive wins including victory over fierce rivals Tottenham in the North London derby on Sunday.
Mesut Özil becomes the most expensive player in Arsenal’s history
That victory has since been followed by a notable triumph on the closing day of the transfer window as Arsenal broke the club transfer record to bring in Real Madrid playmaker Mesut Özil for £42.4 million. The German midfielder is also the most expensive player to join the Premier League this summer and second only to Fernando Torres – who cost Chelsea £50 million to lure across from Liverpool – in EPL history. However, Arsenal’s squad needs more reinforcements, particularly in defense. Was spending all of their money on one marquee signing simply a desperate attempt to appease supporters and sponsors? Time will tell.
Manchester United was beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on Sunday, meaning David Moyes’ winless run at Anfield as Everton manager continues at the reigning champions. The defeat, as well as United’s horrible performance, might be the reason he pushed so hard to strike the deal with former club Everton to complete the signing of Marouane Fellaini for £27.5million.
Now the league leader and with more new signings, Liverpool has started the season well
If Liverpool’s legendary manager Bill Shankly was still alive today, he would have turned 100 last Monday. He would be in a wonderful mood too with the Reds moving to the top of the Premier League with three wins from three starts and completing three major signings on the final day of the transfer window. For a combined fee of around £25 million, Liverpool has brought in French international Mamadou Sakho from Paris St-Germain and young defender Tiago Ilori from Sporting Lisbon while Chelsea’s out-of-favor winger Victor Moses has joined on a one-year loan deal. Following unexpected injuries to Aly Cissokho and Kolo Touré, manager Brendan Rodgers has found some quality replacements just in time.
Endorsed by the record-breaking broadcasting deal, Premier League clubs spent a record £630 million in this summer transfer window – easily eclipsing the previous record of £500 million set in 2008. Tottenham Hotspur joined the ranks of big spenders like Chelsea and Manchester City, forking out £109 million on seven new players. With the Premier League well underway and the transfer window now closed, we look forward to seeing the best league in the world at full strength!
