Firstly let’s turn the clock a bit and go to the summer of 2006 – A visibly disillusioned Thierry Henry is on the verge of a free transfer to Barca.

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By: Viraj

The blogs are overflowing with transfer speculation, any player who is a) under 20, b) is French or what the heck c) can kick a ball has been linked with a summer move to us.

But I’d like to point out a recruitment drive of different kind, namely the positions to be filled up off the pitch.

Firstly let’s turn the clock a bit and go to the summer of 2006 – A visibly disillusioned Thierry Henry is on the verge of a free transfer to Barca. What happens next is, he signs a long term contract with Arsenal and makes the switch in 2007 thereby making the club some money. The man who made it possible was a certain David Dein, whose son happens to be Thierry’s agent. Let me make it clear that I am not for one moment suggesting that DD should be back at Arsenal. Frankly I do not understand the politics behind the football and neither does it interest me. My point here is if we had someone of say the clout or wheeling dealing abilities of Dein, Flamini would not have gone for free. I feel Wenger is way too burdened with doing two jobs i.e. Manager & Director of Football and in fact it could be one of the reasons we have missed out on a couple of players, Babel for one springs to mind. One thing is certain though we need someone to look after the nitty-gritties of the transfer dealings, but considering the way Arsene has put off the appointment of Director of Football may be he doesn’t trust anyone else to do the job.

Secondly, we might lose the excellent Liam Brady and the very efficient Gary Lewin to their national associations. Though Gary and more recently Brady are working with their FA’s on a part-time basis, but Capello’s insistence on a fulltime physio might just take Gary away from us. But it would be more of a headache if we are to lose Liam Brady to the Republic of Ireland. Not to forget we are losing the retiring Vic Akers as well. Suitable replacements will have to be found and fast.

Now coming to the on-field entries and exits, Arsene has already hinted at what he wants, a playmaker or a creative player as he called it and some defensive steel. If Arsene does buy a big Central Defender I fear he will do to one of Toure or Gallas what he did to Gilberto last year (Slam Bam Thank you Mam). Honestly neither of them deserves that. Lets hope Arsene does find a way to keep the team (sans Flam and Hleb, I presume) together, add some valuable experience & midfield trickery and we should be good to go for the next season.

IN ARSENE WE TRUST … …