We ended the season in more disappointment knowing there were several key areas for Wenger to work on and address this preseason (especially with a tough start including CL qualifying); 1. Sell the fringe players simply not got enough to be part of the team (Almunia, Denilson, Bendtner, Eboue, etc...) RESULT - Only Denilson has gone and then just on loan...the other we are either asking too much or because of the high wages we put them on no one else is willing to sign them 2. Sort out the contracts for Nasri and Clichy RESULT - Clichy wasn't his former self so 7M isn't that bad a deal with 1 year to go Who knows what's up with Nasri, he obviously has others interested and seems willing to wait out his final year where we lose 20M. Wenger should have had this definitively dealt with by now 3. Sign players to strengthen the team...established with some experience, especially in defence RESULT - Gervinho looks a good buy but not what we were lacking...still no centre backs with 2 weeks left!! 4. Improve the defence RESULT - It's claimed we've reverted to a 'zonal marking' system? Either way in the 5 games we've played it doesn't look any different from last season, if anything we look weaker with little help from the midfield and forwards 5. Become more direct up front We can't take anymore of the tippy tappy stuff, we dominant most teams but don't create or take enough chances RESULT - Perfectly summed over the last 2 days, NO improvement what so ever. Cesc is such a big part of our direct play and with him not here/gone we're lost. If he goes he'll need to make sure the replacement can play in a direct fashion for us.
Indeed you may well ask since much had been promised but the gaps are still not plugged. The biggest change that is needed is Arsene's mindset. Our manager who has brought much to the club in his time has now to realise that his youth project has not worked. There is no point being like Barcelona. Arsenal should concentrate on their own strengths and right now there is much in the team to be strengthened and that must surely include the morale of the players let alone the fans. If Arsene keeps coming up with observations like we played well for the first hour then he is coming up desperately short and if he does not come up with solutions within the next two weeks, his own time at the emirates if I may gloomily suggest may reluctantly come under threat.
