Mikel Arteta and Arsenal's transfer blueprint cannot give way for statement signings

'Dusan Vlahovic would have been the final piece of the Arsenal puzzle' was the regular utterance accompanying Edu and Mikel Arteta’s pursuit for the now Juventus striker.

Arsenal certainly could not be accused of not trying. Whether it was Lucas Torreira or, if reports from Italy are to be believed, £88million, they threw everything at Fiorentina – Vlahovic and his representatives were not convinced, and he was soon sold to Juventus.

Vlahovic could well have been the perfect answer to the problems posed by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s untidy departure. He would certainly have offered much needed breathing space and relief for the fledgling contract situations of Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette.

He may very well have been the perfect spearhead to a youthful, blossoming Arsenal attack that has been easy on the eye, but far too merciful in front of goal.

However, the final piece of the puzzle he was not. A substantial piece and an important piece maybe, but not the final one.

His arrival would not have fortified a defence that often becomes flustered when Gabriel Maghalaes and Ben White are split up.

Vlahovic is very fast, but he would not be able to simultaneously lead the frontline and deputise at right-back when the ever reliable and astutely purchased Takehiro Tomiyasu is absent.

Nor could he feature as an emergency defensive midfielder when injuries and suspensions befall Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka.

And even if the Gunners did prise him from Fiorentina in the January transfer window, would he have had the consistency and frightening longevity to single handily lead an Arsenal frontline?

Barring a spectacular U-turn, Nketiah and Lacazette will depart the Emirates Stadium for nothing at the end of the season.