Unhappy Atmosphere, Unconvincing Performances, Unresolved Issues

And so a new season beckons. But this time there is not a lot to shout about for us Gooners. With pre season finishing yesterday in a whimper, we are still unsure of the future of our players.

Where do I start? Let's just try to jot down the situation we are facing right now:

1. Contracts: We are still unsure of the futures of our captain Cesc Fabregas and contract rebel Samir Nasri. With Cesc missing all our pre season games and Arsene stating he won't make it for the start of the season(if, and a BIG IF, he remains an Arsenal player this season), we will miss him for a tough August, with Newcastle, Udinese, Liverpool and Manchester United all waiting on the horizon. As for Nasri, I feel if we can get 20m for him, he can be shipped out PROVIDED we replace him with "super quality" quickly, which I doubt we can do.

2. Transfer market failings: Apart from signing Gervinho and Carl Jenkinson, and shipping out Clichy, Denilson and Jay Emmanuel Thomas, we have utterly flopped in the transfer market so far. I know we still have some 24 days to go till the transfer window closes but you have to wonder that having done precious little in the transfer market so far(it has been open for more than two months), what can we expect to happen in the coming 24 days. And being a Gooner, I remain skeptical if we're going to sign anyone now, let alone someone of "super quality". We have also failed to remove the deadwood in the squad. As of now, Almunia, Bendtner and Eboue have been in talks with other clubs but there is little sign to indicate any movement. And in the meantime, we have successfully botched up the deals regarding Ricky Alvarez, Juan Mata and Joel Campbell.

3. Unconvincing preseason performances: Okay, preseason is meant to build up fitness and the results shouldn't be taken too seriously but we have really lacked the spark in our performances. The same defensive issues are still there for all to see and exploit, and we are clearly lacking in depth in the central striker role and we desperately need a centre back. RVP, as good as he is, can't be counted to play every game for us and without him banging in those goals for us, I wonder who will step up. Chamakh has sorely disappointed in all the pre season games while Carlos Vela still doesn't look quite the part. And at the back Squillaci keeps making costly errors almost every time and I'm sure the Gooner community must be wincing every time he comes on the field. And this leads me to my next point.

4. Developing deadwood: Chamakh and Squillaci are becoming liabilities and confidence in them is at an all time low. Chamakh seems to have totally lost his shooting boots(never mind his scoring boots) and at this point of time, it is surprising that Bendtner is the one who is going to be shipped out and he is the one staying. And with the African Nations Cup to take place this January, it'll make more sense if he were shipped out and Bendtner is kept instead. And as for Squillaci, I don't need to elaborate any further.

5. Lack of depth in key areas: We desperately need a centre back, a defensive midfielder, a striker and one(or two) creative midfielder(s), in case either or both Cesc and Nasri leave(s). With Nasri in the last year of his contract and Man City reportedly offering 20m for him, it would be foolhardy to reject this offer as he can leave for free next summer. I'd rather sell him now and buy a "super quality" replacement than play him for one more year and lose out on 20m when he goes for free. The centre back and striker issues I've already touched upon, and the unresolved area that remains now is that of defensive midfield. With Song also slated to take part in the ACN, we can only hope that the differences between him and his national side continue so that he keeps playing for us. I know this sounds a wee bit selfish but if he does go on to play in the ACN, then we're left with rookie Frimpong for the defensive midfield role for a gruelling January.

6. Injuries: Yes, the dreaded I-word has popped up again. And which players are cursed with the I-word right now and are doubts for the season opener? The list goes:

                                 RVP (you just knew he would make the top of the list!)

                                 Fabregas

                                 Wilshere

                                 Walcott

                                 Koscielny

                                 Vermaelen

                                 Gibbs

                                 Diaby

                                 Nasri

And that is effectively the chunk of the first team that remain doubtful to make it. Miracles anyone?

7. Baying crowd: All this has had an effect on the Emirates faithful and the home games are turning out to be a nightmare for the team. Make one mistake and they will be roundly booed. There seems to be a poisonous environment in the Emirates nowadays. It seems the whole Gooner fraternity has been engulfed in all this negativity(hell! I've never sounded more negative in my blog posts!). One can only hope that a miracle happens and more new players arrive in the remaining 24 days. If you ask me, at his point of time, if anyone offers me 5 points out of Newcastle, Liverpool and Man United games, I'll take them hands down(provided we don't suffer any more injuries!).

I didn't mean the post to be this long. And I definitely did not mean to sound negative, but these are the facts and there is no use hiding from them. I dearly hope we make a few more quality additions to the squad and coupled with some good results at the start of the season, hope that my, and every Gooner's, confidence is restored.

Till then, take care!