As Arsenal fans we often get to the end of each season in recent times disappointed with how the campaign has gone got often optimistic about how the summer months pan out.
Pundits and journalists alike almost routinely come together to give their verdict on what the Gunners need to do between May and the start of the next season. Year after year we’re told that Arsene Wenger needs to spend big and rid the club of the deadwood if we’re to end our trophy drought.
And by the time we arrive the day after deadline day, we’re left somewhat deflated with that familiar feeling that yet again Arsenal have failed to bring in the top talent we so desperately need.
However, things seem to be going in a rather different direction this year.
Starting with the players on their way out of the Emirates, it’s as if the club has gone through each individual player and listed them as either needed, or surplus to requirements. With a mixture of youth players and reserve seniors such as Manuel Almunia already released from their contracts, Wenger is keen to rid the team of many others who he sees as unfit to wear the shirt.
It’s mainly the more senior players who found themselves out on loan last year that look likely to get the chop with the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson and Carlos Vela all looking certain to on the way out of the Emirates Stadium.
It will be a difficult task to find suitors for these players due to their high wages, with other players such as Sebastien Squillaci more than happy to get paid an enormous amount for doing next to nothing. Yet Wenger has shown his intentions and hopefully will be able to free up money and space to bring in some better talent.
On the topic of better talent, we have been treated well so far.
Before the last campaign had even ended we were told that FC Koln captain Lukas Podolski would be arriving at the Emirates for a fee of around £11m.
The former Bayern Munich striker will come to Arsenal with over Germany 100 caps to his name and will be able to player in a number of attacking positions.
If that wasn’t exciting enough for you, in the last few days it looks almost certain as if Ligue 1 top scorer Olivier Giroud will be Wenger’s second signing of the summer.
The man who won the French championship with Montpellier last year is set to join the club after Euro 2012 for roughly £12m.
Two players of the highest calibre, who will go a long way to improving the team.
Likewise Rennes hardman Yann M’Vila has spoken of his desire to join the Gunners although he would cost significantly more than both Podolski and Giroud.
Yet from what we’ve seen so far, Wenger means business as he looks to try and persuade Alex Song, Theo Walcott and, most importantly, Robin Van Persie to continue plying their trade with Arsenal.
It could be an exciting few months ahead for Arsenal fans, and a shake-up that the club has been longing for.
Matt Cotton
@FindingCotton
arsenal wiil do well to buy dempsey and mvila with song in midfield alongside wilshere
plus also usa donovan
soldado and tello should be an extra option up front
de buochy and steklenburh and lam would be niice at the back
arsenal must get rid of czcceszy and get stelenburg and schmeichel or green
this is urgent…
donioavan and dempsey a must and de bouchy and senna and ith mvilla of course
Wow, the stupidity of some of the comments on here.
Donovan/Dempsey – no way
Getting rid of Szezchy- no way
Good thing you guys are only managing your FIFA team and not the real team.
Allan what on earth are you on about? Sczezney is class, much better than rob green and kasper Schmeichel! Donovan and dempsey are top 6 players yes but I think we will be looking for top 2 talent this year and we don't need to buy more shit back up strikers thank you, if we get caught short, which is highly unlikely, let's see what afobe and Walcott can do there.. Your Leck of footballing knowledge is remarkable, as is your inability to spell. Bore off
Goonerlad you took the words out of my mouth!
You watch football Allan?
Hahahaha havent laughed like this for awhile alan getting told his buisness and rightly so but in fairness everybody entitle to an opinion so feel free to attack me now but wheres the defensive buys? Vermaelen and Koscielny need real competition for place in 1st team and Sagna being injured needs a capable back up and LB wow this is my most worrying posistion Gibbs gets injured alot sometimes looks good sometimes awful his back up is Andre Santos hes Brazilian nuff said defence is not his mind set we need to tidy that area in particular up also a keeper that can keep Szczesny on his toes
Allan, Hahahahahahahaha!!
Goon Squad – I realise Andre Santos has some dodgy defending, and Brazilians are much better known for attacking flair, but don't generalise like that. I reckon Thiago Silva is probably one of the best CBs around at the moment, while plenty of good defenders can be found in Brazilian and Portuguese leagues. Dedé anyone? Hope you're not going off Premier League (David Luiz and Santos).
While I respect your patriotism Allan and can see that you're an American who wants some of his fellow Americans playing at his favourite club I don't think Donovan is up to the grade and I think you lost the crowd when you suggested replacing Szcesney with Robert Green. Dempsey has just had a superb season so you may have a point there but I would prefer to see M'Vila because he is potentially world class whereas Dempsey has only really had one stand-out season.
Anyway it does look promising and Arsene is obviously looking to share out the goalscoring burden. It may even be something that RvP has asked for, the chance to be rested and avoid fatigue. Getting rid of the unwanted players may turn out to be a bigger challenge than making the right signings this summer and it is as crucial. The club needs to reduce the wage burden if it is to improve over the coming years and needs to replace those players who have grown resentful about their lack of opportunities with players who have the drive to perform well. We're in for an interesting few months.