Welbeck and the missing defenders - The madness of Arsenal's transfer window

WELL that was a great transfer window for Arsenal wasn't it. 

In came one of the stars of the World Cup; Chilean international forward Alexis Sanchez. French right back Mathieu Debuchy replaced the outgoing Bacary Sagna, exciting young defender Callum Chambers arrived from Southampton and finally on Deadline Day itself, Danny Welbeck. Yes you heard that right. Danny. Welbeck.

Following the disappointing 1-1 draw at Leicester on Sunday, the visiting fans were shouting at Arsene Wenger to 'buy a f**king striker' and he certainly didn't disappoint.

So while front men like Falcao, Balotelli, Costa, Suarez and Negredo were all changing clubs this summer, Arsenal swooped for the prolific Welbeck; the former Manchester United 'striker' who scored just two goals in 40 appearances in the 2012-13 season. Yes, two goals in 40 appearances.

Of course under the guidance of Wenger, the 23-year old with just 39 club goals in 178 appearances, could blossom into the new Thierry Henry. But even if he does, it does not hide the fact that Arsenal are going into the season with just two recognised centre backs and no real quality in the crucial defensive midfield position.

And after spending the last two weeks insisting that Arsenal did not need to buy a striker, Wenger buckled to pressure and brought in the out-of-favour Manchester United man for £16m despite a genuine need to strengthen elsewhere.

Of course had the travelling fans at Leicester been shouting for a new defender or holding midfielder, perhaps they would have woken up this morning with something to really get excited about.

But instead there is just doubt. What if Metersaker and Koscielny are both injured? What if Gibbs is also on the treatment table, as he so often appears to be? Debuchy likes a card or two so lets say he is suspended. What if all this happens in the week of a visit to Manchester City or Liverpool. Who plays in the back four then? Welbeck? Steve Bould? Wenger himself?

A plethora of midfielders and strikers but not enough defenders. Incredibly short-sighted for a club who claim to be title challengers.

The frustrating thing for Arsenal fans is that they are probably just three players short of winning the title. Two centre backs and a strong, holding midfielder. If they had arrived yesterday instead of Welbeck there would have been a real feeling that this could be Arsenal's year.

But maybe we are all under-estimating Wenger. He has brought in new fitness coach Shad Forsythe this summer and perhaps this will mean the injury problems that have plagued the club for the last 10 years or so will be finally over.

You have to say that without serious injury to the first XI, Arsenal does have a team to challenge for the title. The bench also looks strong in attacking areas with players like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Campbell and Rosicky. Maybe Wenger is going for the old adage; you score three, we will score four. You have got to admire his philosophy at least. Rather that then Mourinho's park-the-bus attitude.

So perhaps come May we will all be proved wrong. Perhaps Welbeck will score the goals that win the title and Wenger will be hailed as a genius. Perhaps.

There is a banner at the Emirates that reads, 'Wenger Knows' and maybe, just maybe he does. But after the events of yesterday, I am not so sure any more.