Country: England
Player:Saliba
Fair enough, but I still think 16 was down to two crucial long term injuries with players that didn’t have a history of injuries, Cazorla and Coq. He wasn’t expecting to have to use his reserve mid, Flamini so much. Cazorla was arguable our best player and gave the forwards some super through balls around the box. How will Arteta get on if Jesus, his best player, is out in November?All of that is true and none of it pertinent to my criticism of Wenger. I don't blame him for Mustafi Xhaka etc not working out, most of them were terrific signings at the time and as you say there are loads of different factors coming into whether a player becomes a success.
I definitely blame him for the windows mentioned. I don't buy the notion Gazidis or statDNA were at fault for us not signing players, even if we're ignoring that Wenger was the one who brought them in or allowed them into the club he was hesitant in the market before they came along.
I hate the British way of viewing the transfer market as the solution to all issues, that's also a big factor why I don't rate Arteta. A football manager's primary responsibility is to (a) get the players he has to play well together and (b) to improve them beyond their initial level. Wenger was pretty much second to none to any manager in the world for the duration of his career especially at the latter.
But he did have a weakness in recognising when to add another body when the players he put his trust in weren't reliable either because of ability or availability. We could've had won another title or two if he just added to Vermaelen/Kos or Giroud in 11 or 15 or 16, not even an expensive first team signing just another decently abled body to rest the others.