The methodology of Arsenal’s transfer business has been questioned for years. Arsene Wenger finds his financial declarations more closely scrutinised than Mark Carney’s pronouncements on interest rates, especially since the Gunners emerged from the monetary constraints self-imposed by the move to Emirates Stadium.

This summer had a familiar feel in many respects as Arsenal faltered in the transfer window and began the Premier League season amid a fan backlash over a perceived inertia in the market yet it concluded with Granit Xhaka, Rob Holding, Skhodran Mustafi and Lucas Perez arriving for a combined fee approaching £90million.

The timing of their business – with the latter two deals finalised just 24 hours before the window closed – raised further questions and for the first time a leading agent with more than 25 years’ experience dealing with the club sheds light on how they really operate.

In his book ‘The Deal’, Jon Smith recounts his memories of working on some of the biggest transfers in English football history as, together with his brother Phil, he built the country’s first major sporting agency, housing more than 400 clients at its peak.

Smith writes: “Since Stan Kroenke took a majority shareholding in the club, they have created matrices for players, a bit like Moneyball.

"And if a player doesn’t quite meet all the criteria, the matrix tells them not to offer more than a certain amount. That is what Arsene means when he talks about value.

“Four years ago, they bought a company called StatDNA in Chicago, which owns an operation in Cambodia where they crunch every conceivable number relating to a footballer.

"They will take a player and collate data based on every pass, sprint, shot, assist, goal – you name it – he has ever made. These stats are fed into a computer that assesses strengths and weaknesses against every professional in the game before producing an overall value of that player.

“Arsenal tend to use statistics to raise questions or confirm observations on possible targets and sometimes unearth players for scouting. There are occasions where it will cause them to re-examine a candidate who has been scouted, but senior figures at the club believe the data can remove doubts that they might otherwise have had or encourage them to sign a player from their rivals.

Premier League summer transfers 2016/17 33 show all Premier League summer transfers 2016/17 1/33 Who won the summer transfer battle? Standard Sport assesses the key London deals during the transfer window... AFP/Getty Images 2/33 Arsenal (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) 3/33 Granit Xhaka

(£35m, Borusssia Moenchengladbach) The 23-year old Swiss midfielder keeps things ticking over with intelligence and composure. But he must be careful in England’s robust game – his red card against Portugal this week was the sixth of his career. David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/33 Shkodran Mustafi

(£35m, Valencia) In came Rob Holding as an English signing... only for another central defender to arrive in his wake. But Mustafi, who defends aggressively, looks like he will suit English football. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/33 Lucas Perez

(£17m, Deportivo) Scored 17 times for Deportivo last season. He hurries and scurries – like Arsene Wenger’s earlier target Jamie Vardy – but Arsenal’s sometimes-intricate build-ups may frustrate him as he waits to burst clear. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/33 Chelsea Steve Bardens/Getty Images 7/33 N’Golo Kante

(£32m, Leicester) It’s quickly become a cliché to say that Chelsea have found their new Claude Makelele. But that is because they have. Has made an impressive start as the man who directs operations in midfield. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images 8/33 Michy Batshuayi

(£33m, Marseille) He has been an impact substitute in the three Premier League games so far. But the rangy Belgian has already shown enough energy and movement to make it plain he has a big presence. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 9/33 David Luiz

(£34m, PSG) The return of The Frizz was a late surprise. But Chelsea fans know what they’ll get: great free-kicks vision going forward, some scary moments at the back… and a huge Brazilian grin. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) 10/33 Marcos Alonso

(£23m, Fiorentina) To Stamford Bridge via Real Madrid, Bolton Wanderers and Serie A. Seen as a clever but strong left-back. Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images 11/33 Spurs Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 12/33 Vincent Janssen

(£17m, AZ Alkmaar) Yet to score, but he looks a thoughtful and hungry forward who is always on the move and just working out the English game. Glimmers of an understanding with Harry Kane already. Alex Broadway/Getty Images 13/33 Victor Wanyama

(£11m, Southampton) They are not short of tough and energetic deep midfielders at Spurs, but Wanyama but already looks a bargain after Tottenham capitalised as his contract ran down. Getty Images 14/33 Moussa Sissoko

(£30m, Newcastle) Newcastle fans despaired of him. The French loved the way he powered his way muscularly through Euro 2016. If Spurs get the best of him, this could be dynamite. Then again.... Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 15/33 Georges-Kevin Nkoudou

(£10m, Marseille) Hit 10 goals for his former French club last season. The 21-year-old is quick but may have to wait for a sustained chance in the side. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 16/33 West Ham (Michael Regan/Getty Images) 17/33 Simone Zaza

(Loan, Juventus) The 25-year-old’s season-long loan can be made permanent at a price of £25m next season. West Ham fans hope he is the answer to their severe problems up front, with Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew crocked. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 18/33 Andre Ayew

(£20.5m, Swansea) Injured in his first Premier League game for the club at Chelsea. Currently a symbol of West Ham’s troubles. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 19/33 Arthur Masuaku

(£6m, Olympiakos) An emergency signing, he has made a steady start at left back but no more. His hair-style is very striking though. Michael Regan/Getty Images 20/33 Edmilson Fernandes

(£5.5m, FC Sion) The Swiss midfielder has yet to appear for the Hammers, but comes very highly-rated. AFP/Getty Images 21/33 Ashley Fletcher

(£700,000, Manchester United) The 20 year-old forward has made a good impression on the fans in his three appearances so far. After arriving from Old Trafford, is he West Ham’s Marcus Rashford? (Alex Broadway/Getty Images) 22/33 Toni Martinez

(£2m, Valencia) The Spanish teenager scored twice in a 4-2 Football League Trophy defeat by Coventry. Poor result but a good impression. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 23/33 Sofiane Feghouli

(Free, Valencia) The Algerian international winger is highly promising but so far is another symbol of the injury troubles plaguing Slaven Bilc, limping out of training on Wednesday after recovering from a hamstring problem. James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 24/33 Gokhan Tore

(Loan, Besiktas) Injuries elsewhere have given the 24-year-old midfielder the chance to stake a claim. But so far the faithful at the new Olympic Stadium are not impressed by his erratic displays. Michael Regan/Getty Images 25/33 Havard Nordtveit

(Free, Gladbach) The Norwegian midfielder has made a steady start in five appearances, but has not done anything spectacular. (Tom Dulat/Getty Images) 26/33 Alvaro Arbeloa

(Free agent) He was close to joining AC Milan, but the 33-year-old full-back will bring experience with Real Madrid and Liverpool to a team which has looked a bit rudderless so far. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 27/33 Jonathan Calleri

(Loan, Deportivo Maldonado) On loan from Deportivo Maldonado of Uruguay, the Argentine striker has so far failed to impress the Hammers fans. Alex Broadway/Getty Images 28/33 Crystal Palace (Christopher Lee/Getty Images) 29/33 Christian Benteke

(£32m, Liverpool) The club’s record signing is not off the mark yet after two appearances. But if he re-captures the muscular form of his days at Aston Villa, watch this space. He will be highly scrutinised, though. (Patrik Lundin/Getty Images) 30/33 Loic Remy

(Loan, Chelsea) Arrived on loan from Chelsea on the penultimate day of the summer transfer window. His career is not reflecting his talent. Like Benteke, Palace must sort out getting him service. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 31/33 Andros Townsend

(£13m, Newcastle) A stuttering start after his latest move. Another one upon whom the fans are pinning hopes that things are just about to happen for Palace and that they can turn the corner. AFP/Getty Images 32/33 James Tomkins

(£10m, West Ham) Many in east London were sorry to see him go. Palace have a great defensive pair in Scott Dann and Damien Delaney, so he will have to fight for a place. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images 33/33 Steve Mandanda

(Free, Marseille) The French international goalkeeper is a big character. Palace hope he will add to their outfield options in the currently fashionable way by pushing out of his area as well as doing the goal-line work. Getty Images 1/33 Who won the summer transfer battle? Standard Sport assesses the key London deals during the transfer window... AFP/Getty Images 2/33 Arsenal (Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) 3/33 Granit Xhaka

(£35m, Borusssia Moenchengladbach) The 23-year old Swiss midfielder keeps things ticking over with intelligence and composure. But he must be careful in England’s robust game – his red card against Portugal this week was the sixth of his career. David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/33 Shkodran Mustafi

(£35m, Valencia) In came Rob Holding as an English signing... only for another central defender to arrive in his wake. But Mustafi, who defends aggressively, looks like he will suit English football. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 5/33 Lucas Perez

(£17m, Deportivo) Scored 17 times for Deportivo last season. He hurries and scurries – like Arsene Wenger’s earlier target Jamie Vardy – but Arsenal’s sometimes-intricate build-ups may frustrate him as he waits to burst clear. Arsenal FC via Getty Images 6/33 Chelsea Steve Bardens/Getty Images 7/33 N’Golo Kante

(£32m, Leicester) It’s quickly become a cliché to say that Chelsea have found their new Claude Makelele. But that is because they have. Has made an impressive start as the man who directs operations in midfield. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images 8/33 Michy Batshuayi

(£33m, Marseille) He has been an impact substitute in the three Premier League games so far. But the rangy Belgian has already shown enough energy and movement to make it plain he has a big presence. GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images 9/33 David Luiz

(£34m, PSG) The return of The Frizz was a late surprise. But Chelsea fans know what they’ll get: great free-kicks vision going forward, some scary moments at the back… and a huge Brazilian grin. (MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/Getty Images) 10/33 Marcos Alonso

(£23m, Fiorentina) To Stamford Bridge via Real Madrid, Bolton Wanderers and Serie A. Seen as a clever but strong left-back. Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images 11/33 Spurs Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 12/33 Vincent Janssen

(£17m, AZ Alkmaar) Yet to score, but he looks a thoughtful and hungry forward who is always on the move and just working out the English game. Glimmers of an understanding with Harry Kane already. Alex Broadway/Getty Images 13/33 Victor Wanyama

(£11m, Southampton) They are not short of tough and energetic deep midfielders at Spurs, but Wanyama but already looks a bargain after Tottenham capitalised as his contract ran down. Getty Images 14/33 Moussa Sissoko

(£30m, Newcastle) Newcastle fans despaired of him. The French loved the way he powered his way muscularly through Euro 2016. If Spurs get the best of him, this could be dynamite. Then again.... Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 15/33 Georges-Kevin Nkoudou

(£10m, Marseille) Hit 10 goals for his former French club last season. The 21-year-old is quick but may have to wait for a sustained chance in the side. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 16/33 West Ham (Michael Regan/Getty Images) 17/33 Simone Zaza

(Loan, Juventus) The 25-year-old’s season-long loan can be made permanent at a price of £25m next season. West Ham fans hope he is the answer to their severe problems up front, with Andy Carroll and Andre Ayew crocked. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 18/33 Andre Ayew

(£20.5m, Swansea) Injured in his first Premier League game for the club at Chelsea. Currently a symbol of West Ham’s troubles. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 19/33 Arthur Masuaku

(£6m, Olympiakos) An emergency signing, he has made a steady start at left back but no more. His hair-style is very striking though. Michael Regan/Getty Images 20/33 Edmilson Fernandes

(£5.5m, FC Sion) The Swiss midfielder has yet to appear for the Hammers, but comes very highly-rated. AFP/Getty Images 21/33 Ashley Fletcher

(£700,000, Manchester United) The 20 year-old forward has made a good impression on the fans in his three appearances so far. After arriving from Old Trafford, is he West Ham’s Marcus Rashford? (Alex Broadway/Getty Images) 22/33 Toni Martinez

(£2m, Valencia) The Spanish teenager scored twice in a 4-2 Football League Trophy defeat by Coventry. Poor result but a good impression. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 23/33 Sofiane Feghouli

(Free, Valencia) The Algerian international winger is highly promising but so far is another symbol of the injury troubles plaguing Slaven Bilc, limping out of training on Wednesday after recovering from a hamstring problem. James Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 24/33 Gokhan Tore

(Loan, Besiktas) Injuries elsewhere have given the 24-year-old midfielder the chance to stake a claim. But so far the faithful at the new Olympic Stadium are not impressed by his erratic displays. Michael Regan/Getty Images 25/33 Havard Nordtveit

(Free, Gladbach) The Norwegian midfielder has made a steady start in five appearances, but has not done anything spectacular. (Tom Dulat/Getty Images) 26/33 Alvaro Arbeloa

(Free agent) He was close to joining AC Milan, but the 33-year-old full-back will bring experience with Real Madrid and Liverpool to a team which has looked a bit rudderless so far. Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images 27/33 Jonathan Calleri

(Loan, Deportivo Maldonado) On loan from Deportivo Maldonado of Uruguay, the Argentine striker has so far failed to impress the Hammers fans. Alex Broadway/Getty Images 28/33 Crystal Palace (Christopher Lee/Getty Images) 29/33 Christian Benteke

(£32m, Liverpool) The club’s record signing is not off the mark yet after two appearances. But if he re-captures the muscular form of his days at Aston Villa, watch this space. He will be highly scrutinised, though. (Patrik Lundin/Getty Images) 30/33 Loic Remy

(Loan, Chelsea) Arrived on loan from Chelsea on the penultimate day of the summer transfer window. His career is not reflecting his talent. Like Benteke, Palace must sort out getting him service. FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images 31/33 Andros Townsend

(£13m, Newcastle) A stuttering start after his latest move. Another one upon whom the fans are pinning hopes that things are just about to happen for Palace and that they can turn the corner. AFP/Getty Images 32/33 James Tomkins

(£10m, West Ham) Many in east London were sorry to see him go. Palace have a great defensive pair in Scott Dann and Damien Delaney, so he will have to fight for a place. Mitchell Leff/Getty Images 33/33 Steve Mandanda

(Free, Marseille) The French international goalkeeper is a big character. Palace hope he will add to their outfield options in the currently fashionable way by pushing out of his area as well as doing the goal-line work. Getty Images

“Arsenal insist they take decisions primarily driven by scouting, and the human rather than numerical characteristics of a potential target. Ultimately all decisions are made by Arsene.”

The book contains an unprecedented level of detail on the inner workings of the club Smith has supported all his life and he believes the system can sometimes slow transfer business down, contributing to the frustration some supporters feel.

“Arsenal’s operational model is based on an American corporate style,” Smith told Standard Sport. “I think StatDNA takes time to churn out the information they need. Of course, they can monitor players all year round but an individual’s statistical data changes with every game. That probably slows the system down.

“Fans have got to understand that while we all grow up with tribal loyalties in our hearts, clubs are businesses now. Arsenal is the archetypal co-habiting club in sport and business. It crosses that divide. It may be a bit lugubrious in its football dealings sometimes but that’s because it is a business.

“In the end, by signing the players they did, Arsenal’s summer dealings were in the top five of all clubs.

“If I have a criticism of them, it is that they are stand-off-ish in the transfer market. They don’t always make the running because they are Arsenal and think that is enough.

FIFA 17 - Top 20 Premier League Players 20 show all FIFA 17 - Top 20 Premier League Players 1/20 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 90 AFP/Getty Images 2/20 David De Gea - 90 Getty Images 3/20 Mesut Ozil - 89 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/20 Thibaut Courtois - 89 JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images 5/20 Sergio Aguero - 89 LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images 6/20 Petr Cech - 88 LEE MILLS/AFP/Getty Images 7/20 Eden Hazard - 88 (Steve Bardens/Getty Images) 8/20 Kevin De Bruyne - 88 Alex Livesey/Getty Images 9/20 Paul Pogba - 88 Paul Cooper/Man Utd via Getty Images 10/20 Hugo Lloris - 88 (Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) 11/20 Alexis Sanchez - 87 (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) 12/20 David Silva - 87 13/20 Santi Cazorla - 86 David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 14/20 Cesc Fabregas - 86 AFP/Getty Images 15/20 Vincent Kompany - 86 (David Ramos/Getty Images ) 16/20 Dimitri Payet - 86 (Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images) 17/20 Laurent Koscielny - 85 Michael Steele/Getty Images 18/20 Diego Costa - 85 Christopher Lee/Getty Images 19/20 Willian - 85 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images 20/20 Philippe Coutinho - 85 Getty Images 1/20 Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 90 AFP/Getty Images 2/20 David De Gea - 90 Getty Images 3/20 Mesut Ozil - 89 Arsenal FC via Getty Images 4/20 Thibaut Courtois - 89 JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images 5/20 Sergio Aguero - 89 LINDSEY PARNABY/AFP/Getty Images 6/20 Petr Cech - 88 LEE MILLS/AFP/Getty Images 7/20 Eden Hazard - 88 (Steve Bardens/Getty Images) 8/20 Kevin De Bruyne - 88 Alex Livesey/Getty Images 9/20 Paul Pogba - 88 Paul Cooper/Man Utd via Getty Images 10/20 Hugo Lloris - 88 (Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) 11/20 Alexis Sanchez - 87 (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) 12/20 David Silva - 87 13/20 Santi Cazorla - 86 David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images 14/20 Cesc Fabregas - 86 AFP/Getty Images 15/20 Vincent Kompany - 86 (David Ramos/Getty Images ) 16/20 Dimitri Payet - 86 (Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images) 17/20 Laurent Koscielny - 85 Michael Steele/Getty Images 18/20 Diego Costa - 85 Christopher Lee/Getty Images 19/20 Willian - 85 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images 20/20 Philippe Coutinho - 85 Getty Images

"Nowadays, nobody cares who you are – it's just Jerry Maguire: show me the money. They sometimes have a corporate stand-off mentality that doesn’t play well even though they are all very decent and professional people.”

Wenger has often faced personal criticism for his lack of decisiveness in the market but Smith warned Arsenal fans that when the Frenchman eventually steps down, his successor will need to quickly adapt to an agent world that has changed dramatically.

“It is a system that has Arsene at its core and will take years to change – just look at Manchester United post Sir Alex Ferguson and only someone with the strength of Jose Mourinho’s character – and importantly his contacts – have threatened a revival again,” he said.

“He has shifted the United system to work for him and using Jorge Mendes and Mino Raiola, they were able to land big players like Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“Raiola and Mendes are buddies but hey are both territorial beasts. For Arsenal to dominate, the next manager has to be hooked into that global network to tap into the senior agents who control the top end of the market even more so than I did in my day.

“Arsene has continually delivered success in various forms and made the club beyond iconic. It is now a magnet for a lot of players around the world who want to enhance the career, which wasn’t always Arsenal’s reputation. When he leaves, I hope he will depart as an icon with that legacy and more.”

The Deal: Inside the World of a Super-Agent by Jon Smith with James Olley (Constable) is published today RRP £20