So we have some needs. But it does not require us to become a ‘galactico’, with a list of 30 superstars. We need to build a squad – simple

By Nathan Church

A quick note to start off. Just watched the uefa cup final (arguably the next major trophy event we’ll see Flamini line up for next season), and it was pleasing to watch. This was fundamentally due to the fact that Zenit St. Petersberg played some creative, incisive and attacking football against ‘park the bus and bang on with the long ball’ Rangers and nevertheless triumphed 2-0 to secure a well deserved trophy. This should hearten every Gooner out there that we CAN play the beautiful game and succeed. I only hope the Chelski-ManUre Champions League final isn’t an identical rematch of last years FA Cup – can I have that 90 minutes of life back please?! But in all seriousness – if a team like Zenit can achieve a win playing quality football (no disrespect intended) the potential of Arsenal is just incredible. While a little bit of luck is often required, I think the key to such success, as shown by Zenit, lies with pace and width.

And so now with the season done and dusted, all the focus now turns to the transfer window opening. While arguably not as thrilling as the work done on the pitch, there’s still plenty to smile about, as we have as our manager, THE most astute talent spotter in the business. BY FAR. This, more than any other, is the major reason ‘Arsene knows’. As proud Gooners we often get complacent about this ability; for the Boss to see the raw talent in a 16 year old Spanish midfielder, or take a struggling French winger plying his trade in Italy and turn him into the best striker in the world. But there are many pitfalls in the business. Just ask those fools down in Shite Hart Lane. For them a genius transfer move is to break the bank to the tune of over £16 million for Darren Bent, producer of all of 8 goals. With a precedent like that, if Modric can set up 9 next year they’d be stoked I imagine!

But now it’s time to talk about a real club. And as alluded to in other comments on the site, tackling squad depth is going to be the key challenge for Wenger this summer. Bottom line, the squad size we had going into the start of last season was not sufficient for a title challenge lasting through to May. Players get injured, get called up for national selection, or simply just need rest, and unfortunately our squad could not accommodate all of these factors, especially when they occur simultaneously. So we have some needs. But it does not require us to become a ‘galactico’, with a list of 30 superstars. We need to build a squad – simple.

The best part is that most of it isn’t that hard. Our starting XI is very strong, with only Flamini (and potentially Hleb – though I hope not) to be replaced. In terms of adding to the squad base, the bulk of it will probably come internally, through promoting such talent as Traore, Merida, Randall, Barazite, Gilbert and Nordtveit. Some of these may go back out on loan (especially before January), but they nevertheless offer a great deal. On top of this, Carlos Vela gets his EU passport within the week and he’ll be right to go. Our current strike force of Adebayor, Van Persie, Walcott, Eduardo and Bendtner is fantastic. And in central midfield we have a strong contingent comprising Fabregas, Diaby (I would LOVE to see this lad play in centrally, and play the role of Viera), Denilson, Gilberto and Song. Where we lack is in width. Hleb’s place in the squad is getting increasingly complicated. Rosicky isn’t a sure bet to last a season injury free, and Eboue, in my opinion, just doesn’t have the technical nous to play Arsenal football. We need quality here to spread opposition defences and give our strikers maximum opportunity. In fullbacks as well, we were shown up this past season, with Sagna missing games and Clichy being expected to perform Herculean tasks out of defence week in and week out. Those two have no adequate replacements, with the result being we had players out of position. So ideally, if we can get at least one (though hopefully two) wide players, and a couple of quality, flexible defenders, this should go a long way in moving the club forward into a competitive season next year.