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ESPN staff 9y

Arsenal's quiet transfer window a missed chance says Martin Keown

Arsenal great Martin Keown has bemoaned Arsene Wenger's lack of activity in the summer transfer window, claiming that the Gunners have missed the chance to get a jump on their rivals.

Despite speculation linking the club to Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema and Paris Saint-Germain star Edinson Cavani, Arsenal failed to make any moves in the final day of the window.

"I feel it's a missed opportunity -- because the Premier League, without Manchester City there, is almost there for the taking," Keown told BBC Sport.

"If you could put it together now and go on a run, then you can do something. Arsenal might go on a run anyway, but it's probably unlikely."

Arsenal were the only team in Europe's top leagues not to recruit an outfield player during the window, a fact that Keown blames on a lack of ambition at the Emirates.

"When I left Arsenal 10 years ago, they were dominating the Premier League," he said.

"We went unbeaten through a whole Premier League season. The fans got used to seeing trophies coming through.

"There's a frustration now because they had to lower their expectations because of the expenditure on the stadium -- now there's no excuse in those terms.

"But the top players don't seem to be available, or Arsenal don't want to spend those fees on those players."

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