Arsene has done what everyone else has wanted and has invested in a talented striker but the downside is that we may have to wait for a year to see Brazilian wonder kid Wellington Silva

A very happy new years to all Arsenal supporters out there, may it bring you many happy times. Especially from the Arsenal, I’m sure you’ll agree. In football terms 2009 has really flown by at an electric pace, it only seemed like a few months ago since the last January 1st. In my oh so humble opinion 2009 has been one of the most important years in the clubs recent history. It has been disappointing if you are just looking at trophies but if you look a little deeper and further down the line 2009 was the year that many of the young inexperienced squad really stepped up and have established themselves as fantastic Premier League players.

Hit the rewind button back to the end of November 2008 and it tells you all you need to know. Manchester City had just whacked us into next week, Gallas had just been stripped of the captaincy and the squad were having internal issues that were being made public. Not really a good look is it?

Step forward 2009. Cesc being made captain just before 2009 was like a fresh start for the squad. Although the team lost a whole host of attacking and creative players due to injury. The players available grew in stature and didn’t lose again until March against Roma even though we still won the tie overall. The first domestic defeat was in the FA Cup semi against Chelsea on the 18th April.

The likes of Denilson, Song, Eboue and Bendtner were growing up and maturing in front of our eyes. They didn’t have an easy route in front of many of the Emirates faithful but they have improved. The squad has grown considerably due to the development of many players. We started last season with Clichy and Silvestre as our left backs nowadays we have Kieran Gibbs and Armand Traore who are now good enough to be considered as first choice.

The great news for 2010 is that the conveyor belt has only just begun, the list of players behind them that are looking to join the first team squad is potentially amazing. Aaron Ramsey is already showing what he can do so give him a long run of games mixed in with some more physical and technical development then the possibilities are quite frightening.

Jack Wilshere needs no introduction from me or even explanation on how good he can become because that is quite evident. We now know that Craig Eastmond is very much in Arsene’s plans for the long term after his elevation to the first team squad in the Carling Cup and his first Premier League appearance against Portsmouth.

2009 has been good for the club but I predict that 2010 will be a mixture of trophies and a breed of new exciting talent.

Speaking of new talent, Arsene has done what everyone else has wanted and has invested in a talented striker but the downside is that we may have to wait for a year to see Brazilian wonder kid Wellington Silva. I remember his trial at the club where he scored four goals against Norwich. Doing a bit of reading around I have gathered that he is somewhat talented and highly rated. Trying to catch a glimpse on You Tube is proving a little tricky as I have found several different versions of his name and they all look different so I have given up on that until something more obvious turns up.

If I hear ‘oh no not another kid’ from Arsenal supporters then I am going to scream. It is these kids which have given us Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie, Alex Song, Aaron Ramsey and so on. Do you know how much those players cost in total? Well I shall tell you. Roughly £9.75 million. Can you believe that? Given the inflated prices nowadays that is just amazing value. I scoff at comments like pound for pound David Moyes is a better manager than Wenger. What utter nonsense.

Sometimes I feel like I have been living in a dream world. When I hear about how we have underachieved since 2005 it is almost like we have spent Manchester City money on players and nobody thought of telling me. When I look at Martin O’Neil and the vast amounts he has spent on his English boys and then I look at Rafa Benitez and the squad he has available with vast amounts being pumped into the club I frown and feel like not many agree with me that our manager has work absolute miracles since 2005. If the world was going to end this year then Wenger should be sacked for his long term strategy but I have the feeling that we are all pretty safe for now.

The collection of screams for a ‘monster dm’ have disappeared, only a select few of refuse to admit that Wenger was correct in sticking with Alex Song are still trying to save face by saying that he is overrated. Alex Song has been our most consistent performer this season and I am truly amazed and proud of the lad to have slapped the faces of his doubters by his on field displays.

The only calls for a new midfielder is down to the horrid injury list that seems to chase us around through the season.

Stan Collymore recently had one of his slag off the Arsenal evenings, stating that we play too much pretty football and have no defensive influence from midfield, I got sucked in and emailed the show asking if Mr Collymore had ever heard of Alex Song. He read out the email and went into a long winded talk about how he watched him in the African Nations and that he was raw and not ready for the Premier League. Obviously the idiot had not watched any Arsenal games this season. Maybe he took a bit of notice when our great side blew apart his Aston Villa last weekend the utter muppet.

I don’t quite get all the Ancelotti slams Wenger nonsense. He read the quotes and it sounded nothing of the sort. The usual over the top reaction I gather.

I would carry on but it is my day off today and my youngest is throwing her scrambled egg all over the floor so I once again wish you all a happy new year, back tomorrow for pre Ammers thoughts.