I have just returned from a week away in Ireland, and the last thing I remember reading before I left was a quote from Peter Hill-Wood, our esteemed Chairman saying money was in short(ish) supply at Arsenal just like other clubs in these difficult economic times.

Well that's all well and good and understandable if it wasn't for the fact that for the last two or three seasons Danny Fiszman has been telling us substantial funds are in place for Le Gaffer to spend as and when he sees fit. I suppose I shouldn't be so naive in thinking that we wouldn't be lied to by the Arsenal Board, but it doesn't make it feel any better knowing that we might have been.

I hope I'm proved wrong and AW gets the chequebook out of the vault, but if he doesn't spend at all (or just a minimal amount) then we have to accept the fact that we have been taken for a ride on a major scale. How will Arsenal fans feel being lied to all this time?

I have read other articles on here and agree there are actually some good players up for grabs in this January transfer window: Podolski, Green, and Upson, and Noble at West Ham, Johnson at Man City but the player I now think we really must buy is Shay Given. The guy is class, he would be available at an acceptable price for us and I think he is available for the Champions League next month as well.

What are you waiting for Arsene? Another missed boat. You get yourself a good goalkeeper, a centre half (from Fulham?), a classy midfield player or two and a forward who knows where the net is. Basically the spine of your team.