It is a dangerous thought process to start dreaming in a season that has already surprised you. It was already difficult to try and play down exactly what Arsenal have been achieving this season and for many, it remains a game-by-game, week-by-week situation.
However, with the transfer window, it suddenly became much more real, and Arsenal emerged far more accountable for potentially missing out on a title. The pressure to recruit and strengthen became non-negotiable, not to steal Mikel Arteta’s favourite terminology but it is the case.
We knew that if Arsenal didn’t bring in anyone this window, then the club would be risking their chance at the first title in 19 years. This came from last season’s disappointment and emotional trauma of seeing the winter window pass Arsenal by without a single senior signing for the current squad and then watching on as injuries to Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey cost the Gunners a place in the Champions League places where a signing might have covered part of their absence.
