The spending story: Spurs outlay goes under the radar as Arsenal face media scrutiny

• Arsenal and Tottenham’s spending was almost neck-and-neck, yet media scrutiny diverges significantly.
• Spurs’ new manager receives praise after just four games, while Arsenal face questions.

As the Premier League transfer window slammed shut, clubs collectively smashed their previous record, spending more than £2.4 billion on fresh talent.

While the likes of Chelsea led the way, Arsenal and Tottenham weren’t far behind.

But it appears that only the Gunners’ financial habits have captured the imagination of the media, raising questions about the unequal scrutiny faced by the North London rivals.

Comparing the incomparable

Premier League clubs have been on another spending spree, with Chelsea paving the way, splurging a staggering £428.8 million, according to records. Manchester City totalled £211m.

Yet, while Tottenham’s £213.4 million outlay pales only slightly when compared to Arsenal’s £206.5 million, the narrative surrounding each club couldn’t be more different.

The bias in the spotlight

It’s interesting to see how the focus shifts when we talk about financial prudence or a lack thereof.

Spurs’ new manager has been hailed as the messiah after just four matches, while Arsenal’s expenditures are questioned, particularly the outlay on Kai Havertz.

For large parts of the summer, the media had numerous articles about how Arsenal’s spending was the highest across Europe.

Is there a media inclination towards Spurs or is it just a case of selective scrutiny? A look at the club allegiances of many in the major newsrooms and broadcasters, with Spurs seemingly overrepresented, might give you your answer.

Let’s take a moment to appreciate the irony here.

Arsenal and Tottenham’s transfer spending was almost on par, yet, if you were to believe the narratives spun by certain media outlets, you’d think Arsenal were the only ones making it rain.

Ah, but Spurs have a new manager — a detail that apparently justifies their own financial dalliance while leaving Arsenal as the subject of media hyperbole.

It’s amazing what the media will let you away with if you keep changing the person in charge every season, or, in the case of Spurs, sometimes a few times a season.

Whatever the case may be, one can only hope for a day when all clubs are put under the same media microscope.

Until then, let’s just call it as it is: biased reporting.