"Arsenal" fans have every right to feel cheated because of the club's lack of success in the transfer market, former club footballer Paul Merson says. This summer, coach Arsene Wenger added only goalkeeper Petr Čech to his squad, which upset many club fans - the official fan group "Arsenal Supporters Trust" recently expressed their concern about the small number of players arriving this summer. "Arsenal" was linked with Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, but the transfer did not happen. "It is deceiving the fans," said P. Merson. "Fans are thinking - 'why are we here? We are here every week, paying the highest prices for tickets, for what? Fourth place? Maybe we will go far in the FA Cup again and get to go to 'Wembley'. How nice!" - former England national footballer joked. "There is a saying: keep doing the same things in life that you do, and you will always get the same result. How will this season be different for Arsenal? It is the same team that finished 12 points behind Chelsea last year. Why should they surpass Chelsea this year? "I can say now that there will be a period this season when Arsenal will play incredibly well and win seven games in a row. However, at the end of the season, with this team and no purchases, I would be shocked if they won the Premier League." P. Merson believes that Arsenal showed a lack of ambition in the transfer market and, given the current financial situation of the club, should have at least made an offer for K. Benzema and shown intention to strengthen the team. "If you are an Arsenal season ticket holder, you pay the highest prices in the league. Those are the fans' money. Not Arsene Wenger's. Not the club's. They buy players with fans' money," emphasized P. Merson. "The whole idea of this big stadium, which holds 60 thousand people, was that increased revenue would help attract top-class players. I don't know why Arsenal doesn't spend that money." "Just offer 75 million pounds for Benzema. If Real says they won't sell him, then there's no argument. You made an offer and if the club doesn't want to sell, or the player doesn't want to move to you, that's it. But show the intention to strengthen."
