My Vision

This summer it looks as if Arsène's dealings in the transfer window has been planned with our approach very much in mind. Alexis Sanchez is naturally a speedy work horse. A player that does not allow the opposition to settle. A little like a faster Tevez in that aspect and I just loved the balance that both Ramsey and Wilshere gave us just ahead of Arteta. It gives the team a lovely balance, especially when it comes to winning the ball back. In many ways I'd really love to see that develop over a longer period but when you have Mesut Özil available for selection you simply have to squeeze him in and that will be at the expense of someone else in midfield and I just don't see Özil used as a box to box midfielder, that simply isn't his game

We have been drawn against Turkish side Besiktas for the CL qualifiers. There were easier games, more comfortable trips but really and truly we should be too good for all the teams over two legs. I'm just glad we didn't draw against Athletic Bilbao which would have been very tough. In truth I am not too fussed this year for once. Usually I am fretting because we desperately needed the CL revenue but that is not the case anymore thanks to Puma and Emirates. Don't get me wrong I always want Arsenal in the Champions League but if we fail to get in then I shall see it as a great chance to focus our energies on the title.

I think you'd be hard pushed to find an Arsenal fan who would rather he moved to Manchester United, well unless you really do not rate him. Arsene has said on more than one occasion that he will replace Vermaelen should (when) he leaves the club. I'm interested to know what type and age/experience player we do bring in. Calum Chambers looks to have impressed Arsene so far so I wonder if the manager would buy a more senior figure, a little like Debuchy to keep the door open for Calum to break through in the future. Unless he would rather move him to a different area of the pitch but I guess we will see as time goes on. We may have to wait until closer to the end of the window for our last two faces.

This summer we have bought a fast wide man who can make runs into the centre forward position just as Marc Overmars did back in our title winning season. All signs point towards Arsene wanting another quality midfielder to add that missing something to the team. Whether that be Khedira, Schneiderlin, Carvalho or Loric Cana *chuckle* it seems as if that position is high on Arsene's wish list.
It feels a lot like the return to summer 98 but with inflation. Now I am not saying that we are about to run away to the title and then beat Newcastle United in the cup final because well, the competition is a lot more than just Manchester United this year but our recruits to date feel like the final touches rather than the continuous squad sculpting that we have been doing for many years now

But from the little that happened that afternoon I wanted to mention a couple of talking points. Gedion Zelalem looks to have taken a physical step up well at least that is what I gleaned from my computer screen. When I first saw him he looked tiny compared to everybody else and that would be a problem until he gains power. He still has a way to go on that front, he is still only 17 so he has time on his side but he just carried himself with a bit of authority I thought. I've said on a number of times that the through pass is a skill that makes my knees a little weak so I want to see more of him with the likes of Sanchez and Walcott *licks lips* ahead of him. He only has Mesut bloody Özil to learn from though. Shame really.

Germany play the way I'd imagine Arsene wants Arsenal to play, this becomes even more evident when you take note of our recent transfer policy. Basically buying all the Germans. Podolski, Mertesacker and Özil have been signed all within three years and if reports are to be believed then a fourth is only around the corner. Sami Khedira wasn't the type of midfielder I had in mind when trying to predict an Arsene Wenger target in that position but maybe Arsene Wenger has plans to adapt our system, not necessarily in terms of formation but the roles of the individual players.

Alexis Sanchez confirmed on Arsenal.com, cue body popping. Do people still body pop? Anyway I would like to congratulate those involved in making this happen. If you are the type of person to get frothing mad about praising our own staff (there are people like that out there you know) then I suggest clicking away now because this is not for you.

It was only when I watched some games from the Chileans that I noticed his more central role brought out a set of skills that I didn't know Sanchez possessed. This more polished Oxlade-Chamberlain was now morphing into Cesc Fabregas and Dennis Bergkamp

From what I have read to date I am guessing that should he sign for us we will have plenty moments of celebrating his attacking play and scratching our heads at his defensive play, not because he is an awful defender but because we have taken Sagna's defensive quality for granted for a long time now. But he need not worry and needn't should you. He has big Per Mertesacker to his left who will be guiding him through training and match days. He is 21 years of age and has plenty of scope to learn the Arsenal way. It is hard to not be excited about his offensive potential though. With Theo Walcott darting inside to join Giroud's lay offs, left backs will be tracking Theo's runs only to find the steam train that is Aurier skipping past his man in acres of space on the right but