Arsenal’s board need only look at Liverpool’s transfer business to realise they still have a long way to go before they are back challenging for major honours again.
The Reds signed Thiago Alcantara to reinforce an already strong midfield and former Anfield captain, Graeme Souness, believes the new man will handle the pressure of playing for the champions given his vast experience.
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The midfielder was signed from Bayern Munich where he has played for the last seven years having begun his career at Barcelona.
“Thiago ticks all the boxes — tremendous work rate, vastly experienced, he’s a creator but doesn’t shy away from the hard yards either,” Souness wrote in The Times.
Alisson and Sadio Mane are two players who have expressed their delight in playing alongside the new signing, who ended his career in Germany with a Champions League final triumph.
And any designs Arsenal had on reclaiming their place at the top of English football have been blown away by Thiago’s arrival – a bargain in Souness’ eyes.
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“If Thiago is a signing to top off a team that was already strong enough to retain the Premier League, then Arsenal are nowhere near challenging for it.
“They finished eighth, 43 points behind Liverpool, last season, and that’s not a gap that you close in one transfer window.
“The knockout tournaments are again their best chance of success this season. Trying to retain the FA Cup, a decent run in Europe and maybe the Carabao Cup.”
Arsenal, FA Cup winners last season, are pressing ahead to try and strengthen their midfield with Lyon’s Houssem Aouar a top target.
The French side have already turned down an approach, but reports across the Channel say a new bid is expected next week.
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