Can anyone stop Arsenal after transfer deadline passes?
- Published
Arsenal have started the new Premier League season with two wins as the transfer window closes, looking in ominous shape to retain the crown they won for the first time in 22 years last season.
The Gunners had a quiet final day to the window having concluded their business before the traditional late rush – but those hoping to unseat the reigning champions have all been busy expensively re-shaping their squads to mount a challenge.
So how do Arsenal look? And have their main rivals done enough to prevent Mikel Arteta's side winning a second successive title?
And what are the other big issues as the Premier League's transfer business was concluded until January?
Arsenal's interest in Atletico Madrid's Argentina forward Julian Alvarez did not bear fruit, despite their attempts to persuade him away from his preferred destination of Barcelona.
Alvarez's dream move to Barcelona was emphatically blocked by the Atletico hierarchy, leaving The Gunners with hope he may take the only choice available to him to leave Diego Simeone's side.
In the end, no deal was done – and perhaps the only flaw in Arsenal's current make-up is whether they carry a consistent spearhead threat up front.
Elsewhere, they look formidable in all areas and still the team to beat after cruising past Coventry City and winning at Aston Villa in their opening two league games
They also dismantled Manchester City in The Community Shield, and have had an excellent transfer window to build on last season's success, when the Premier League was won and they reached the Champions League Final.
Bruno Guimaraes, a £75m signing from Newcastle United, showed in his brief cameo in the 1-0 win against Aston Villa what he will bring - passes that cut through the home defence and a fierce competitive edge.
England defender Ezri Konsa offers instant class in defence after moving from Aston Villa, and while Christos Tzolis had a tough night at Villa Park, substituted at half-time, he has already demonstrated what an asset he could be on the left flank.
Not quite a case of "No Alvarez No Problem", but he was hardly a deal breaker for Arsenal, who still look best equipped to win another title at the conclusion of the transfer window.
