What we absolutely need and what we’ve been needing for the past few years is a defensive mid that can rotate with Song and take over in january when song is at the african nations cup. I heard that Melo was left out of juventus’ trip to the usa, which would indicate he might not be part of the new manager’s plans for the coming season. He might be suspect of some irrational challenges, but thats exactly what we need & Wenger has shown interest in him before so I really feel that he would

Ok, so less than a month to go until the start of the season and we still have no clue if we’ll sign any new players or more importantly in my opinion, if Cesc & Nasri will be arsenal players come september. So yes its a bit worrying.

When we look at our transfer activity so far we’ve sold a left back, bought a young right back (??!!) we’ve lent Denilson back to Brazil (yaaay) bought a very good winger/striker. And hopefully we can sell (give away?) Almunia to anyone & loan or sell Bendtner (hopefully Diaby too).

No center back in sight, huh? well I dont think our defensive problems are that great…..really when you think about up untill our meltdown last season we had conceded less goals than man u!!! and that considering we conceded 3 goals at home to wigan, 5 goals home and away to newcastle & 3 goals home  to the scum. So our problem is more of a concentration problem than bad defenders, and next season with no almunia & a one year older Szczesny, thats atleast 6 less goals we will concede. And if we have no injuries to atleast two of Tommy V, Kos & Djourou then thats 5 less goals conceded than last season.

I’m not saying we dont need a center back but if Wengers preferred CB partnership is two of the above mentioned then which experienced center back would want to come and sit on the bench as 3rd or 4th choice??? the answer is someone with Squilacci’s quality!

What we absolutely need and what we’ve been needing for the past few years is a defensive mid that can rotate with Song and take over in january when song is at the african nations cup. I heard that Melo was left out of juventus’ trip to the usa, which would indicate he might not be part of the new manager’s plans for the coming season. He might be suspect of some irrational challenges, but thats exactly what we need & Wenger has shown interest in him before so I really feel that he would be a great addition to our squad.

Speaking of the ACN both chamakh and gervinho will not be available during january and early february, which might not be a problem if van persie isn’t injured but we all know we cant take that risk and play with only Arshavin upfront as we did a couple of seasons ago. So we do need another striker (although he looks like a great player- not Joel campbell).

So if (hope) Nasri & Cesc do stay, then I think we would be ready for the new season if we buy a DM & a striker. Speaking of Nasri, Wenger has come under alot of criticism for keeping him & risking losing him on a free next season. People have been saying we shoud cash in & use the money to buy Mata or whoever…….when exactly did we ever do this??? If we do sell him, Wenger will either go get Alex Chamberlain (or whatever he’s called) or not buy at all, the same as with the sales of Viera, Henry, Flamini & Adebayour. So the way I see it it’s better if we have him for one more year & maybe he can help the team win some silverware & who knows maybe then he will sign a contract extension.

Of course if Cesc & Nasri do leave this season then I really think it would be extremely hard for us to compete next season so I really hope that “Arsene knows”…..

Mean Lean’s Response

I have to agree with you about center backs not being a massive problem, quite literally as well. As you said, until our melt down we had a defensive record at least equal to our rivals. There was a period with a few months to go where we had let in less goals than the Champions. This was all without arguably our best defender out on the treatment table. The argument that Squillaci is not good enough long term could well be a valid one but I see no reason why we should blow £20m of our budget on someone like Gary Cahill (including wages) when we have someone like Kyle Bartley who is very good in the air, powerful and is already adapted to the Arsenal way of playing. I would quite like to see Bartley battle with Squillaci for the fourth perhaps even third choice spot if he is up to it.

Many may disagree with me but I feel that our approach to teams when we haven’t got the ball as well as our offensive game is much more important than buying a new center back.

As for the defensive midfield spot. I would like to see a quality, hard working, leader as part of the squad. I think there is room in the squad, in the middle of midfield for that type of player, someone to inspire the likes of Ramsey, Wilshere and hopefully Cesc. That said, it is clear that Emmanuel Frimpong has bags of potential and has the required on-pitch attitude to do well at Arsenal.

There is a long way to go in this transfer window, many other big clubs like Chelsea and even little clubs like Tottenham who are yet to do any real business.