Bleak, Ineffective & Losing the Plot...?

Is it too easy to prescribe to the view that The Arsenal's failings are a direct result of poor depth to an inexperienced squad. Probably not. However, I was a big advocate of the original youth project Arsenal undertook with the likes of Fabregas, Van Persie, Clichy, Senderos, Eboue, Song, Reyes, etc, all bought to learn from the Untouchables in order to develop into a fine team in their own right. Now with the King of that youth project having left for his home Barcelona and more opportunities for trophies, it's fair to say the original youth project has failed and died with Cesc leaving.

With the preseason transfer activity it appears Wenger is ready to embark on a whole new youth project. The likes of Ryo, Chamberlain, Campbell and Jenkinson bought. Frimpong, Lansbury and Eastmond promoted to the first team squad, mixed with other young professionals in Wilshire, Gibbs, Ramsey, Chesney (excuse the spelling), we're potentially seeing the core of a very British team for the next decade.

Despite this potential, they are being tested at the highest point of pressure under Wenger's tenure. This could be asking an incredible amount from these youngsters that is likely to be too much too soon. Frimpong and his sending off Sunday was a prime example. Although unlucky with the first yellow as he was genuinely looking for the ball to take an Arsenal throw, but did not realise the throw was to Liverpool. A better ref would have had a quiet word to calm him down. But he showed the kind of heart and battling spirit that Arsenal fans, have hoped to see in the players for a long time.

I would like to see Wenger sign 5 players. They might not have the 'top quality' status Wenger says he's looking for, but they'll add depth and solidity to what is fast becoming a squad of fragile confidence. These would be my picks;

Leighton Baines Competition for Gibbs.
Gary Cahill For obvious reasons
Scott Parker Required experience to aid the Wilshire/Ramsey partnership
Adam Johnson As part of the Nasri deal to show Walcott how a real winger should play
Daniel Sturridge As we saw at Bolton last season, would offer the kind of presence up front that Bendtner and Chamakh are struggling to show.

With 10 days to go, Wenger needs to get busy, quickly.

If you disagree or have an alternate point of view, shout it loud and proud.

JF

Pre-season musings and ramblings

Earlier this summer I bemoaned the lack of activity - transfer wise at White Hart Lane - in or out, and now, with a week to go till the big kick-off, I'm flippin twitchy!

Anyway, with the new season already underway - well done Blackpool last night - and the Prem season starting next week, I've got a few observations about this pre-season so far.

So in no particular order:

Rumours of Man City putting in a bid for Wesley Sneijder. I believe the presence of David Silva does not necessitate a bid for Sneijder but it would be a good move for City if anything to stop Utd from buying him. Edin Dzeko is due a big season as well - he must have settled in now

Transfer sagas - fed up now with the never ending story of the Spurs/Modric/Chelsea, ArsenalCesc/Barcelona and Arsenal/Nasri/City rumours.  All their current clubs are right to hold firm and demand the best fee they can get, but have to be wary of 'cutting off their nose to spite their face' by potentially disrupting the teams' pre-season preparations and early season form.  It may be worth Spurs and Arsenal sacrificing a couple of mill to ensure they get satisfactory replacements in time.  This is more specific to Arsenal as I believe Cesc and Nasri is due to leave more than Modric - but of course if City get Sneijder, surely the Nasri deal would be dead.

Furthermore, the wages boom over the last few seasons has resulted in clubs struggling to offload unwanted players.  Keane, AveragebyYour, Bellamy, SWP, Bendtner, etc anyone?

By all accounts Arsenal messed up the Juan Mata deal. Apparently he had a release clause fee which Spurs met - but he wasn't keen.  Arsenal were interested but despite the talk, Arsenal did not put in an offer. If the release clause was met, the player would have been interested in going to the Emirates. Now he will cost around £5m to £10m more...

Has anyone seen Sky Sports Fantasy League advert with Jeff Stelling and Harry Redknapp?  In normal circumstances it would be quite amusing - in real life, as a Spurs fan waiting for transfer action - its a pisstake! (notice how 'Sandra' is being referenced in the ad - thank Darren Bent for her increased profile!)

The Newcastle/Joey Barton situation earlier in the week highlighted how poor Sky Sports News reporting was - more or less reading out his tweets.  We can ALL follow @Joey7Barton and do that SSN!!!! Up your game!

The Joey Barton transfer listing certainly sparked debate as to whether he would be acceptable at your club. Good player, and on a free, he would be the signing of the summer, but the history has put fans off.

West Ham have done well to buy Matt Taylor and Kevin Nolan - signing of the summer right there! Is that enough however to carry them to promotion? We shall see...

Until next time...