Although our current list of "Ins" this summer extends only to the little known Belgian Thomas Vermaelen, looking at the current squad of first team players are we really as lacking in numbers and quality as some, including our own support, would have us believe?

Whilst we're in desperate need of an established defensive midfield anchor man (give or take a couple of arrivals and departures) surely the following doesn't look too far away from a squad capable of challenging for the next season’s title:

Almunia, Fabianski

Sagna, Clichy, Gibbs, Gallas, Toure, Djourou, Vermaelen, Traore, Silvestre (Get rid please)

Fabregas, Arshavin, Rosicky, Nasri, Song, Eboue, Walcott, Ramsay, Denilson, Diaby

Van Persie, Eduardo, Bendtner, Vela (and I assume a quality replacement for Adebayor)

To put further positive spin on things, Man U are now without two top class forwards and, according to reports, Chelsea could now lose their captain. In addition to us potentially having £25m for further strenghtening from the sale of a striker who contributed very little to the cause last season, then things surely aren’t as bleak as many predict.

Despite the ludicrous sums currently being spent by the Madrid's and Man City's of this world, Arsene has proved many times that the most expensive players aren't necessarily the best ones for your club. Give me Pires / Vieira / Bergkamp / Campbell / Van Persie / Fabregas any day of the week. Approximate transfer cost to the Arsenal for these players??? A very reasonable £20m. Enough said.