That the arrival of the new Premier League season was preceded by an abject display from the English national side in South Africa came as little shock to anyone. Rather the wretched performance by the last of the ‘golden generation’ merely fulfilled the impending sense of resignation that greets all those who are English at the dawn of an international tournament. Similarly, Arsenal’s decision to spurn far flung - money spinning - tours of Asia or the Americas for their camp in Austria, did little to quash any annual sense of déjà vu. Whilst in keeping with tradition, timid forays into the summer transfer window have once again forced Arsenal fans to trawl youtube for footage of the little known recruits. The arrival of both, Lorient defender Laurent Koscielny and the free signing of Marouane Chamakh from Bordeaux wouldn’t initially appear to allude to a season of any great improvement. Can then we truly expect anything other than a fight for the fourth Champions League place and a quarter final cup run?

Yet the apparent lack of transfer activity amongst England’s foremost clubs – with the obvious exception of those from the blue half of Manchester - may suggest Arsenal are finally not alone in finding the coffers a good deal more empty than they once were. More than that, I for one have a growing belief that Wenger’s current troops must deliver silverware this season or perhaps forever be the victims of the Frenchman’s fantastical vision. At the time of writing Cesc Fabregas remains an Arsenal player, yet most are under no illusion that he is such for no more than another year or two at best. The loss of Fabregas would represent more than that of a talented player, but the emblem of a vision. That Arsene has invested so much time and patience in Fabregas and his peers through the barren seasons would consequently see failure for the current crop to bear fruit as a shameful indictment of his own policies. The annual departure of established members of the first team squad, coupled with continued failure to win silverware, leaves Arsene and his players increasingly under pressure. The success of the Spanish national side – Barcelona in all red shirts – has indeed seen Wenger’s unwavering belief in sheer technical ability vindicated on a national stage. Yet its failure to pay dividends in the rugged athleticism of the Premier League means Wenger’s admired philosophy (if not yet, the man himself) may be living on borrowed time.

Yet perhaps Spain’s success is a good omen. Perhaps this year the sense of déjà vu is unfounded. The squad’s collective age, a factor used so readily as an excuse and as a reason for optimism, is one swiftly becoming a mute point. A rough calculation of Arsenal’s potential starting eleven for the upcoming season produces an average age in the region of 26 – that is without a more experienced keeper (such as the mooted Mark Schwarzer?) or the aged ‘stalwart’ Rosicky. Whilst the inevitable improvement of maturing promise will, I expect, bring far greater performances from Song, Denilson, Walcott and the like. Indeed perhaps I cannot be alone in viewing Diaby as France’s only player to show any worth in South Africa? Whilst further, the now settled Nasri and Arshavin would struggle to cite the rigours of the English game and the ‘settling in’ period as reasons for any below par performances this year. Perhaps like the English fan that sought comfort in the fact that an Italian led our national side into the World Cup, I am falling foul to delusions of ‘inevitable’ success. Indeed it perhaps wouldn’t be a legitimate case of déjà vu unless the intrepid Arsenal fan predicted silverware come May. But on close inspection our League campaign faltered last year only at the last hurdle, a hurdle I believe experience and a (slightly) greater squad will compensate for.

That we suffered innumerable injuries last season is a line I like to distance myself from - grapes that sour taste absolutely horrendous. But it’s certainly true; the loss of Eduardo, Van Persie and Bendtner left the diminutive Arshavin marooned amongst the giants of the opposing centre backs for half a season. Consequently, any prolonged period of fitness from our strikers would surely see a marked improvement on last season’s often-toothless displays. Admittedly this summer has seen Eduardo depart, but he was a shadow of the player we saw before his horrific leg break and one I doubt we will miss that greatly. That said, I think you would struggle to find an Arsenal fan that did not wish him well and the slight but athletic Chamakh should prove a decent replacement. Even if his goals to games ratio at Bordeaux left a lot to be desired, Chamakh is considerably more prolific for Morocco - scoring 27 goals in 53 games. I do admit, that like the most avid fan, I was scratching my head at the arrival of Laurent Koscielny. But I’m hoping he is another Thomas Vermaelen, a gem plucked from the obscurity of the French or Dutch leagues. ‘Hope’ and ‘belief’ you understand forms more than a large slice of an Arsenal fan’s pre-season preparation. Indeed when the pressing need for a keeper and defensive cover is still a problem yet to be solved (even if Wenger assures us he will address the matter) hope and belief are essential. So, believe I shall.

Though should my faith prove unfounded and once more we must battle our most despised North London neighbours for a Champions League place, I shall save a copy of this article and send it to ‘The Gooner’ again next year. Though whether Wenger will be able to convince the board, fans or playing staff, to persist much longer with unsuccessful tactics remains an unanswerable question. Maybe then I shall have to remove the bit where I state Fabregas is still an Arsenal employee. But alas, no fear, this will be replaced only with heaps more optimism and hope - however misplaced!