Former Arsenal striker not impressed by summer transfer business

Jeremie Aliadiere has admitted that he has not been particularly impressed by Arsenal’s summer transfer business so far.

The north London club have been linked with a number of players but have so far only officially tied up a deal to land Brazilian teenager Gabriel Martinelli – and Dani Ceballos on a season-long loan from Real Madrid.

Unai Emery is believed to be on the lookout for a number of different signings this summer, but the north London side have seemingly struggled to get deals over the line.

Arsenal have been linked with a host of attacking players this summer, including Wilfried Zaha and Everton Soares.

However, former forward Aliadiere feels that the north London club should be focused on signing new defenders this summer rather than attackers.

Speaking in an interview with 888sport, Aliadiere said: “Now we have Koscielny looking like he may leave the club, that’s another centre-back – and the captain – that could be going.

“Arsenal signing a centre-back is really important and yet I keep seeing us linked with a lot of forwards such as Zaha and Everton Soares but they are not what we need for the moment.”

He continued: “I’m an Arsenal fan. I retired some years ago and Arsenal is my team.

“I may do some commentary and media but I’m a fan at the end of the day. It’s frustrating when you see a club like Leicester, who with all respect to them are a smaller club, spending £75m so far this summer yet Arsenal can’t seemingly afford to spend the money that Leicester can. It’s difficult to understand where the money goes.

“I remember when we moved to the Emirates and Arsene telling us that money will be tied up in the stadium for the next ten years or so and that transfer fees will be a bit limited.

“But that has passed and the stadium has been paid off. Given that, you can understand the frustrations of the supporters when it’s reported that there is only a transfer budget of £45m. These days in the market if you want a top international player it’s going to cost a lot.

“There has been talk that Arsenal want Wilfried Zaha who Crystal Palace supposedly value at £80m and we were reported to have offered them half the money – £40m. If that’s true, it seems a bit ridiculous and could be seen as disrespectful to Crystal Palace. We understand there are high salaries going on Ozil and Mkhitaryan but surely there is still some money to spend on transfers?

“It’s very frustrating and I just don’t understand it really.”

Arsenal finished in fifth place in the Premier League table and without a trophy last season under Emery.

The north London side missed out on the chance to seal Champions League qualification after they lost 4-1 to Chelsea FC in the Europa League final.

Arsenal have not won the Premier League title since their famous unbeaten triumph under Arsene Wenger in 2003-04.

Read the full 888sport interview with Jeremie Aliadiere, including his thoughts on why Maitland-Niles is priceless to The Gunners.