Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has declared that Arsenal's transfer activity has left him frustrated, insisting that a late bid for Yohan Cabaye feels more panicked than planned.
The Gunners launched a £10m move for the French midfielder early this week, with Newcastle United rejecting an offer which Alan Pardew quickly branded "unacceptable" last night.
Carragher feels that Arsenal's refusal to go beyond their valuation is leaving supporters short-changed, questioning the logic of a policy which sees Gunners fans pay the most expensive season-ticket prices in the country.
He told Sky Sports News: "If Cabaye was that important to Arsenal I think they'd have bought him by now. It feels to me like a panic.
"If Arsene Wenger was that impressed and wanted Cabaye that much, why not buy him two months ago? What are you waiting for? I'm an ex Liverpool player with nothing to do with Arsenal but they frustrate me. I feel how the supporters are feeling.
"I think if Arsene Wenger has a valuation in his head he won't go above it. He'll never overspend and I look at Arsenal sometimes and think there's only one section of people at the club who are overspending, the supporters! They've got the highest season ticket prices in the league but the club won't overspend on a player. I just don't get it."
Wenger's side have been decimated by injuries ahead of tomorrow night's Champions League qualifier against Fenerbahce, with just 11 regular first-team players fully fit for the trip to Istanbul, including two goalkeepers.
Liam Power
