I was reading an interesting discussion on another blog about what actually constitutes success, there was most certainly a split camp. I think we have been successful minus trophies considering all the obstacles and disadvantages we have had to face

We’re in the money, so come on honey etc etc

Arsenal have announced that they are currently super rich, but we already knew that didn’t we? Pre-tax profits of roughly £56 million is the result of prudent work in the transfer market, a long term strategy and continuously playing at the top level with a young and modestly assembled squad.

This may not be good enough for some and ultimately the club want to also win trophies but I am sure that even the most pessimistic and frustrated Gooner can finally agree that the squad is improving and look closer to winning trophies than ever before.

Many have been annoyed that the club have publicly stated that the move to the Emirates would allow us to compete financially with the biggest clubs in world football. To me that statement remains true. No timeframe was ever given but it has been assumed that large spending would happen overnight.

The debt is being paid off rapidly and the more that is being paid off, the more money we will have available to spend. This does not mean that we should and will be wasting money on players and paying more than they are worth. Looking at our three signings so far you would have to say that as things stand, we have done the best work in the transfer window this summer. If not the best, then very close.

Like I mentioned yesterday, I am sure many of the big clubs would happily swap places with us as the likes of Liverpool and Manchester United scratch around for spare money to give to their managers to go shopping while their store cards have reached their limit. The sneering from others outside of our club will soon be converted to humble pie.

To be honest we may not get the full praise that we deserve until we start winning silverware, once that happens and happens on a regular basis then the doubters will have no choice but to admit defeat and god forbid write something actually praising Arsene Wenger for his truly magnificent work since Patrick Vieira side stepped the Leicester City goalkeeper to score the second goal in a 2-1 victory at Highbury to finish an unbeaten league winning season.

I was reading an interesting discussion on another blog about what actually constitutes success, there was most certainly a split camp. I think we have been successful minus trophies considering all the obstacles and disadvantages we have had to face. Don’t get me wrong, I want us to finish the season in 1st place as much as any Gooner and I mean that sincerely. I want us to win the Champions League for the first time in our history and be the first London club to do it.

A few FA Cup’s along the way would have been nice, the Carling Cup at some point would have made me jig up and down for a little bit but moving into a new stadium, dismantling the old guard and rebuilding the squad with young and up and coming players whilst keeping our place in the Champions League and challenging for the title in at least two of our seasons as well has having built fantastic foundations that is likely to keep Arsenal in position to challenge for honours every year for the foreseeable future is certainly a form of success. Well in my eyes at least.

If Blackpool manage to avoid relegation then they are not a failure for not winning a trophy, success is dependant on the situation. Our situation has not been the same as Manchester United, Chelsea and other clubs who have won trophies in the last few years.

Well now that we have been successful in moving our club forward, the next point of success are those silver shiny things that everyone including myself would like.

Arsene Wenger says that our lack of trophies is not down to the move to the Emirates but then said that it is difficult to move stadium and win trophies which is pretty much the same thing. We should have won it in 07/08 and will be close again this year if the good signs continue.

And finally the new boy Sebastien Squillaci believes that the best is still to come from him even the tender age of 30. I have been impressed with what I have seen so far. In fact I have been impressed with both our new center backs. It will be interesting to see what Arsene does when Thomas Vermaelen is fully fit and back up to speed

It is likely to be a very difficult decision for the manager but one that he would rather take than have to throw in Mikel Silvestre.

Back tomorrow with some pre match thoughts.