Premier League: Arsenal master transfer window again

Alexis Sanchez was key to Chile's World Cup triumph over Spain

With Alexis Sanchez following Mesut Ozil to the Emirates, criticism of Arsenal's transfer ambition must vanish...

For years, Arsenal fans endured ridicule over their club's transfer strategy as, window after window, their best players fled for Barcelona and Man City and were replaced cheaply with inexperienced or unworthy additions. It became so repetitive that supporters eventually became the chief dissidents.

Regardless of whether it was the Emirates crowd chiming in with choruses of "spend some f****** money" that inspired Arsene Wenger to start chowing chunks out of the Gunners' bank balance - and you suspect not - there definitely isn't cause to chant it anymore.

The date that Arsenal's transfer policy changed immeasurably was 2 September 2013 as they made that summer's most expensive Premier League purchase in recruiting Mesut Ozil for 42.4 million.

It wasn't just the amount paid that was revolutionary, but the ambition shown in acquiring an undisputedly world-class performer who had already lit up a World Cup and spent the three prior years as a certain starter for Real Madrid.

At 24, the German international was still a long way short of his peak and the horror with which his galactico teammates like Cristiano Ronaldo reacted to his exit demonstrated how big a coup it was.

While the media and some fans got on his back when reacting exaggeratedly to a springtime dip in form, he was the north Londoners' top assister and fourth top scorer as they delivered their highest Premier League points haul in six years and won their first trophy in nine. Investment vindicated.

Despite that display of intent, there was still criticism of Arsenal's lack of action earlier this summer as they snubbed the chance to bring back Cesc Fabregas, who went to Chelsea instead. That bold call put pressure on them to do something special with their budget, and they unquestionably have.

In confirming the 35 million arrival of Alexis Sanchez, they have completed the outstanding buy of 2014/15 so far, and it will take some beating over the remaining month and a half of the window.

Alexis was the main reason a disjointed Barcelona side took La Liga's title race to the final day, firing 11 times in 2014, almost going as far as to win it for them with an exceptional strike against Atletico Madrid. The forward followed up by playing a leading role in Chile's impressive World Cup campaign.

Arsenal have been backed in to 8.88/1 to win the Premier League for the first time in 11 years from a high of 20.0, with a top-four finish considered a near-formality at 1.584/7.