Hopes were high for Arsenal as they entered the summer with a Champions League berth and the resources to make a marquee signing. As the new season nears, pressure continues to mount on Arsene Wenger to make a major move, like adding Luis Suarez.
The situation surrounding the Liverpool striker remains unsettled. But Gunners supporters looking to the veteran manager for positive news about a potential agreement are out of luck because Wenger would only say Arsenal are on "standby."
Alex Young of Goal.com passed along comments the boss made on Al Jazeera Sport:
At the moment the situation is on standby. I heard that [Suarez is considering legal action to force a move] but this is sometimes linked with things that you don't know as a potential buyer.
That is the story between Suarez and Liverpool and I don't know what has been said, what has been promised and what has been written and that is only Suarez and Liverpool that can decide that.
It's nothing to do with us. We have been told that the player wants to leave Liverpool and that's why we've acted.
The interest in Suarez makes total sense. Arsenal were already one of the top attacking clubs in the Premier League last season, ranking behind on Manchester United and Chelsea in goals. Adding a proven striker would take the offensive group to an elite level.
Suarez clearly fits the mold after finding the net 21 times last term, second to Robin van Persie in the league. Signing him to play alongside the likes of Theo Walcott, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere, among others, would be a huge step in the right direction for Arsenal.