Arsenal Supporters' Trust express displeasure with the club's frugal practices

The Arsenal Supporters' Trust (AST) - a registered supporters group seeking influence over club matters - has made a formal inquiry into the transfer policies of the north London club.

In the spirit of "you can't make everybody happy," the AST has released a statement questioning manager Arsene Wenger's transfer strategies.

"Arsenal are in a very strong financial position thanks and it is of course disappointing that the transfer window has closed with just the signing of Petr Cech," the statement read, courtesy of The Telegraph.

Apparently the £10-million signing of a world-class 'keeper like Cech wasn't enough to satiate the fans, as Arsenal were the only Premier League side to make less than five summer moves, with the ex-Chelsea shot-stopper being the only addition.

"Arsenal have built a strong squad and just one or two more good additions would have strengthened the chances of winning a first title in 11 years. No one wants Arsenal to buy players just for the sake of it, but we do want to see the money being invested to make the club stronger.

This isn’t an issue that affects just one transfer window and seems to indicate a wider structural issue. In recent years Arsenal have overhauled both their Academy and their medical set-up."

The argument from the AST is in conflict with the beliefs of Wenger, where the gaffer has suggested that "If we can still add some quality, we will do it. The best way to strengthen other areas of the team is to get the players who did not play a lot last year and keep them fit."

While Wenger seems content to grow from within the ranks and only buy players that would be an upgrade to the existing squad, AST members are not content with sitting on their collective hands.

"This isn’t an issue that affects just one transfer window and seems to indicate a wider structural issue. In recent years Arsenal have overhauled both their Academy and their medical set-up."

The AST statement continues, "We urge the board to now open a full review into its arrangements for scouting and purchasing players. A review of this type is a good governance practice and can only help Arsenal to become a stronger club. The AST will be raising this with the Arsenal board."

It's hard not to feel frustrated for Wenger, who in consecutive summers brought in world-class stars Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, and Cech, radically improving the club in each position.

While some managers are happy to splash the owner's cash, shipping out players who do not immediately influence the team - as Chelsea gaffer Jose Mourinho did with Kevin De Bruyne, who would go on to become this summer's most expensive signing when he joined Manchester City - Wenger is content to make shrewd buys and reward academy and reserve players with call-ups to the senior team.

Despite the clear intent behind the AST's statement, it's difficult to imagine how exactly they'll find the answers they need or invoke the change they so desperately demand.

For all of the AST's efforts, it's difficult to empathize with a dissenting division of a fan base who support one of Europe's richest and most financially stable clubs.