Arsenal’s transfer activity has been notoriously inconsistent in recent years.
The Gunners have overpaid for a number of average players, spending £35million on Shkodran Mustafi and £16million on Sokratis before failing to recoup a single penny for either.
Poor transfers have coincided with their fall from grace as the north London club have now failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League in each of the last five seasons, with back-to-back eighth-placed Premier League finishes resulting in them failing to qualify for any European competition for the first time in 25 years.
Current manager Mikel Arteta has now come under increasing pressure after his side lost all of their opening three league fixtures this term, condemning Arsenal to their worst start to a season since the 1954/55 campaign.
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Arteta’s predecessor, Unai Emery, also struggled for consistency during his time in north London before he was sacked in November 2019.
However, the Europa League specialist was reportedly frustrated when former transfer chief Raul Sanlehi overruled him in the transfer market, something that happened on numerous occasions during his 18-month stint as head coach.
One of these instances reportedly occurred in January 2019 when Emery wanted to bring then-Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Christopher Nkunku to the Emirates, a transfer that ultimately fell through before the Frenchman opted to join RB Leipzig later that year.
Now, Arsenal fans took to social media to voice their frustrations after Nkunku netted a hat-trick during Wednesday night’s Champions League clash against Manchester City. Here is how a select few on Twitter reacted.
@NamelessOne75 : “Nkunku goal again. Emery Talent ID > Arteta Talent ID.”
@princedonsele : “Lest we forget, Emery wanted to buy Nkunku and Zaha for Arsenal.”
@Afam_bu_Aikay : “If only Unai Emery had gotten Christopher Nkunku for Arsenal when he wanted him. Instead we spent money on Pepe.”
@Samsports094 : “Emery wanted Christopher Nkunku Arsenal refused to give him £15m so he went for Dennis Suarez.”
@Faaabianskiii : “Arsenal wanted Nkunku and were so close at one point.”
@PaddyArsenal : “I think we should’ve signed Nkunku instead of Denis Suarez.”
https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/transfer-news/unai-emery-transfer-arsenal-mistake-21583318