As I type this, I can feel some of the groans starting to come on from certain quarters. Arsene has indicated that he will not be ‘splashing the cash’ unnecessarily this summer. In keeping with the mantra from last close season, he said,

We have money because we made money and we made money because we made the right decisions. I believe a football team is not about buying and selling. It is about building, patience, working together and going through a growing process. Also it is enjoyable now to see the team coming slowly up and see how well they can do

There is a proviso that should be added to this. Despite being reported yesterday, these comments were made before the weekend and his views may have changed slightly but I doubt it. Arsene went on,

I would have to be completely convinced that it is right and not stupid for the future of the Club. But I am in a position where I anticipated the years to come and I prepared for it. [So] I have never been in a situation where I needed to take a big gamble like that

Looking at the squad, you can see that there will be some additions. His principle task will be to replace those who move on, for example Gilberto and Lehmann. I cannot see either remaining past the end of the season given the time of their careers.

The German is pretty straightforward for Arsene; his departure will leave him with (presumably) Almunia as first choice ‘keeper, Fabianski as his deputy and Mannone as third choice. The question is whether that is enough or is the young Pole ready to step into the first team for a lengthy spell to cover injury or loss of form. He has not gained that much first team experience this term so there might be an older pro signed to cover the gap in the short term.

It could be argued that the replacements for Gilberto are already in situ. Alex Song had a good ACN; Djourou is comfortable in the holding role whilst the possibility of Kolo Toure being used in midfield should not be discounted. That presumes Mathieu Flamini reaches agreement with the club over a new contract.

A move from The Emirates by Abou Diaby should not be ruled out. There has been speculation about him going but I am not convinced this summer will be the time. His preferred role is central but Arsene likes to get the players settled into the wings via the flanks initially but much will depend on the player himself being happy with that set-up. Competition in the wide places is fierce if all are fit.

That is the one aspect though that has proven elusive this campaign, the players’ fitness. You would hope that Tomas Rosicky can overcome the problems that have dogged him since arriving but it cannot be relied upon to happen. This means that with Walcott and Eboue vying for the right hand slot, Alexander Hleb is first choice for the left.

Of course, these days of rotation require larger squads than normal but one thing is for sure, the experience requested last summer ought not to be desired again. In every position, this season has seen a beneficial growth, the players being one season further on and the better for what has been a relatively successful campaign so far but one that has not been without more than its fair share of hardship.

For me, the forward line is the real question mark. With Eduardo not likely to be back until 2009, Arsene has to decide whether or not he can rely on Adebayor, RvP, Bendtner and Walcott to provide the goals in his absence. To be honest, I would suggest that to be highly unlikely but to sign a full international, proven scorer might be demotivating to someone like Bendtner or Walcott. The balance Arsene referred to could quite easily be wrecked by such a signing.

On the subject of Walcott, which I loosely was, Stuart Pearce has endorsed the manner and results of his progress,

Theo is still playing three or four years short (of the U21 limit). He’s the second youngest in the group but he’s played every game for me, started every one and that will bear fruit in the future. For what he’s done for Arsenal so far this season I think he’ll be quite entitled to say at the end of the year that having played ‘x’ number of games for them at 18 or 19 and every U21 game, that his development is still going quite well. I think we should congratulate people who give talent time to come through and progress slowly

The rub of course, is that the media fuel an expectation that he is the next Rooney or whichever flash in the pan comes to their attention. Or his progress is measured against Cesc’s. Neither of which scenarios help the lad at all. The two goals he scored against Birmingham ought to release the monkey off his back and his confidence will have been boosted by his general performance level this season, especially the twenty minutes or so he played in the San Siro where his willingness to track back without losing his attacking edge was pleasing to watch.

This segues nicely into the next piece. The Champions League brought compliments from one of my favourite players, Robert Pires,

And Arsenal are still very strong…

A. Very strong and doing very well. I saw a bit of the Milan match against Arsenal and I was very happy for them. I played there for six years, I worked with Arsene Wenger and what he’s doing there doesn’t come as a surprise. Arsenal are good enough to win the Champions League.

A rare commodity indeed, a former player being complimentary about Arsenal when so many are in the media to make a quick buck and spout any old rubbish at the drop of a hat, hat, hat. Patrick Vieira meanwhile believes that Liverpool will win it having comprehensively dumped Internazionale out of the competition. The reason? An original idea about lack of experience…

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Thanks for stopping by. ‘til Tomorrow.

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