In other news Jose Mourinho has spoken of his new love affair and respect with Arsene Wenger since he has left the Premier League. I did wonder why he danced around the chance to put the boot into Arsene and Arsenal during his first press conference back. One journo fed him a loaded question about Arsenal not winning a trophy during his time away but he declined the invitation when he previous he would have jumped all over us before the question was even asked. It is all well and good now, but the true test will be when the season kicks off and if we manage to be in and around them. Hopefully above them, and in fact everyone else. That would be nice.

So our tour of Asia has ended for another year, the players fly back to London having won the four games. I didn’t get the chance to write my thoughts about our 2-1 victory against Urawa Reds. It feels a little old now so I won’t bother but I will quickly say that the opposition were much better than those we played previously. I enjoyed watching Jack Wilshere and Oxlade Chamberlain driving the team forward with the ball from central midfield. Neither yet have the pass in that position to open up teams but hopefully that will come.

Transfer rumour has shunted the football to the back of the class. Arsene Wenger’s comments on Arsenal.com has got everyone hot around the collar.

“I believe that everybody competes on a very high level,” he said. “What has changed recently is that in Europe, countries like France have bought some very talented players who would two or three years ago all have come to England. That makes the chase for talent very difficult.”

As well as

Publicly backing the team he has, saying that we can be competitive without new signings.

Needless to say, comments like this has made the swarm panicky about the season ahead, the fear is that the window will close without anyone coming into the club. I can understand the fear because comments such as these have come out as the summer has ticked on in the past. That said, Arsene has also said comments like this before going out and adding to his squad.

There are many examples of this such as Arsene on Cazorla, stating that “I don’t know this guy!” on the 23rd July 2012 and he quickly worked out who he was and bought him on August 7th 2012. How about the season before when Arsene said that there was no truth in the Arteta rumour that article was published on August 29th, Arteta signed for us on August 31st.

What I am trying to say is that there is little point in taking what Arsene says regarding transfers as gospel. I prefer to look at what is happening rather than what the manager is saying publicly. So what is happening to make me think otherwise?

Sold

Vito Mannone
André Santos   
Denilson
Andrey Arshavin
Sébastien Squillaci

Loan

Johan Djourou
Francis Coquelin

Youth Released

Martin Angha
Kyle Ebecilio
Philip Roberts
Jordan Wynter     
Reice Charles-Cook
Samir Bihmoutine
Josh Rees   
Craig Eastmond   
Jernade Meade   
James Shea
Sanchez Watt
Sead Hajrovic
Nigel Neita
Elton Monteiro   
Conor Henderson

This is not even including Gervinho, Bendtner, Chamakh and others like Frimpong who are likely to seek pastures new.

That is about as strong a reason as you can get. There is no way that the club would allow so many players to leave our books if we were not very confident that we would be bringing in new faces. The only time we have made large sells without intending to spend big was when we first moved to the Emirates and needed cash. We now have a large income due to the new commercial deals as well as having transfer surplus from previous seasons. Why would we not spend? I need convincing here.

Just a quick glance at our squad will tell you that we are short in some areas of the pitch and the manager will already know this. I have discounted a few of the younger lads but kept the likes of Serge Gnabry in as I think they will contribute at some point.

That is what I think is currently our strongest side. *cue outrage that Rambo is ahead of Wilshere* and you can see that the deepest midfielder is lacking options, especially if Ramsey is first choice as the second midfielder. Abou Diaby is also ruled out for pretty much the season

Something also worth thinking is that just because we are being linked (by the tabloids) with players from certain positions, it doesn’t mean that work is not being done behind the scenes. During this time of year, clubs are making many, many phone calls, offers are made left right and centre and the media do not pick up on all of them if any at all. The most recent example was Nacho Monreal. Look how fast that came about and it wasn’t written anywhere until we had signed him.

Look, if we do not strengthen this summer then we can all scratch our heads, complain to Bergkamp above and have a good old fashioned moanfest. But before that? When so much is yet to happen in this window? I think I will hold fire.

In other news Jose Mourinho has spoken of his new love affair and respect with Arsene Wenger since he has left the Premier League. I did wonder why he danced around the chance to put the boot into Arsene and Arsenal during his first press conference back. One journo fed him a loaded question about Arsenal not winning a trophy during his time away but he declined the invitation when he previous he would have jumped all over us before the question was even asked. It is all well and good now, but the true test will be when the season kicks off and if we manage to be in and around them. Hopefully above them, and in fact everyone else. That would be nice.

Former Manchester United player Diego Forlan said that his buddy Luis Suarez would make Arsenal title contenders. On a talent level well, it is difficult to disagree. I do want to talk more about his game but I find it difficult doing that as he is a Liverpool player and things change so quickly in football.

And with that, I bid you goodbye until tomorrow.