Arsene Wenger confirms £52m Arsenal double swoop as pair pass medicals but still receives criticism

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has all-but ended the wait for new signings this week, but continues to come under scrutiny from supporters.

The French tactician has been heavily criticised for his lack of activity in the summer transfer window, as Granit Xhaka had been his only notable signing with a week to go before the deadline.

However, as reported by ESPN FC, the Gunners are on the verge of completing the signings of Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi from Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia respectively this week.

It will cost the Premier League giants around £52m to sign the duo, as noted in the report, and deals are expected to be officially confirmed next week after Wenger revealed the latest to the media after his side’s 3-1 win over Watford on Saturday.

“I think they should go through, both of them,” Wenger told a news conference. “We have to finish the paperwork. I don’t know exactly when we will announce it. But I think it will be announced early next week.”

While the two players in question aren’t exactly the first two names that many Arsenal supporters would have had in mind, Wenger has now addressed two glaring weaknesses in his squad and has splashed out on two individuals that he believes will improve his squad.

However, that isn’t enough for some fans and pundits who still continue to criticise and question the transfer strategy, with one caller on BBC Radio 5 live stating: “Here’s Mr Wenger, yet again, last minute larry. We get new players who are going to pitch up with 10% of the Premier League season gone before they even arrive in London.”

Further, Ruud Gullit took a similar stance on Match of the Day, as seen in the video below, and questioned the sense behind Arsenal’s continued decisions to leave it so late in the market.

Time will tell as to whether or not Wenger has brought in two players capable of making a significant impact, as ultimately he’ll want to be judged at the end of the season and if it ends without silverware again, then the calls for him to go will naturally grow even louder.