Arsenal - The boat that rocked

A turbulent summer at the Emirates has certainly rocked the boat, especially considering the biggest damage in the form of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri leaving, could still occur. Arsene Wenger has done a relatively good job fending off Barcelona in an attempt to keep Fabregas but now more than ever it seems likely that the Spaniard will be buying a one-way ticket back home. The price tag of £40 million is justifiable for the 24-year old playmaker but the lack of any possible replacement for Fabregas, or Nasri filling the central role leaves a huge hole for Arsenal to fill in the centre of the park. It’s also reasonable to assume Arsenal will allow Nasri to walk for a fee ranging between £22 - £25 million, or he will be able to negotiate a new deal as a free agent in January and leave next Summer – it’s certainly time to cash in before time runs out.

The inevitable transfer?

With two or Arsenal’s star players potentially set to depart, Gael Clichy’s move to Manchester City all but a distant memory and Nicklas Bendtner also confirming his inevitable departure, what can Arsene Wenger do to strengthen his squad? The arrival of Gervinho from Lille and an impressive display on his debut could offer the Gunners some versatility, as the Ivorian is more than happy to play on the wing or up front. Ex-Saint Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain while promising, seems to be the epitome of Arsenal’s youth structure, a player that will be great in the future as he matures – not a potential immediate impact, which is exactly what Arsenal fans want.

In fact the squad has seemed to resign to the youth structure once again with Kieran Gibbs set to replace Clichy, Wilshere trusted to anchor the midfield with Van Persie leading the front-line. It strikes me as if Arsenal’s youth to experience balance is completely off and they will find themselves in the same mess as last season, not being able to compose themselves and play at a consistently high level.

What I hope to see –

Nasri wants silverware.

Arsenal will be in a lot of trouble if they lose Fabregas and Nasri but it is more logical to let the Frenchman go and try and keep Fabregas for another year. A fit Fabregas is one of the best playmakers in the Premier League and I can’t see any player in that squad other than Nasri, who could fill the void the Spaniard would leave.

I hope that Marouane Chamakh is given another opportunity – the Moroccan started so brightly in the opening of last season and is a talented and technical front man. Height and technical prowess ensures the skill and ability is there, it’s just playing consistently that will help Chamakh.

Keep. Van. Persie. Fit. Cannot stress that enough, RVP is a huge threat that needs to play a whole season unhindered. With 18 games and 19 goals in approximately half a season during the 2010/11 campaign, Van Persie has the talent to be the Premier League’s most dangerous front man.

Get Thomas Vermaelen back into the defensive line. Have you forgotten about the Belgian defensive tank? Vermaelen was incredibly unlucky to be out this long and with a strong need for consistency in the centre of defense; Vermaelen could act as a brand new signing for this season and reinforce a dodgy back line for Wenger.

Where's the form Arshavin?

Finally, I hope Andrey Arshavin can boost his form and show more consistency. The problem with Russian players is they find it difficult to play at the intense pace that is the Premier League. Arshavin has essentially become a last 20-minute substitute for Arsenal but this is by no means a problem if those fresh little legs could come on and score a goal. He has plenty of talent and a couple more years in him before he will pack up and go back to Russia, so I hope Arsenal make the most of what can only be described currently, as wasted talent. 

Proposed Line-up –

GK – Szczesny

DR – Sagna

DL – Gibbs

DC – Vermaelen

DC – Squillaci

CM – Wilshere

CM – Diaby

CM – Song

LF – Van Persie

RF – Gervinho

CF – Chamakh

 

Predicted place in table – I simply cannot see Arsenal taking a higher position than Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United so it looks like 5^th place is reserved for the Gunners.