When you look at the glass is, it half empty or half full? I believe that there are many great things to look forward to with this Arsenal team and the new era that it is entering. However, there remain a few things I cannot help but worry about:

1. Jens Lehmann. Mad Jens is already a cult figure at Arsenal. He is a great goalkeeper; good shot stopper, very agile, commands his area, and inspires confidence. He is also, which a lot of people like, just a bit mental. The only problem is he is 36, and I reckon this could be his last, and only season at the Grove. He has said that he wants to play in the Euro 2008 championships before retiring, and play one last season in his homeland. Whilst we could not begrudge him this wish, it is a worrying thought that he has to be replaced, possibly very soon. Although this could be said of any member of the team, the goalkeeper in any team is one of the most important positions, and one Wenger must get right. Ashley Cole said that Henry and Lehmann carried us a lot last year, and whatever you think of him, you’d have to agree. The reason why this should cause concern is that there are no obvious replacements; top goalkeepers are at a premium. The idea that Almunia could step up will fill most Gooners with dread (although a capable no.2), and Buffon, depending on Juve’s situation, may have been missed out on. For any other position in the team, I would be very confident that Wenger would pluck another unknown from obscurity, but a goalkeeper I feel is different; there is no margin for error. For this reason, replacing Jens Lehmann is something I worry about.

2. Arsene Wenger. As we all celebrate 10 years of Le Boss in charge, it should worry all Gooners that one day; he too will have to be replaced. When you think what Wenger has achieved with this club and where he has took us, it is frightening to imagine life without him. I often worry what will happen when he leaves; will there be an exodus? I think a majority of our players today are there mainly because of Wenger. What is comforting is that he is an honorable man, and although his contract runs out in 2008, he will surely extend it for a few more years to enjoy this latest side he has built. Another point to note is that Wenger may even pick his replacement when he does leave, and his eye for a manager may just be as good as his eye for a player. When he left Grampus Eight for us back in 1996, he earmarked them a young Carlos Queiroz as his potential heir. At Monaco, Jean Tigana was appointed his successor. If he can do the same again, it may soften the blow of losing in many people’s opinion our greatest ever manager.

3. Toure, Adebeyor, Eboue. This is a concern I have held for some time, going back to when we signed Kanu. The issue has recently resurfaced again with the arrival of Martins at Newcastle. The connection? All African players, and possible suspicions surrounding their passports. This is quite a contentious issue, but consider the case of Kanu as an example. When Kanu joined the Gunners in 1999, at the age of 22, most fans will agree he looked a very good prospect. He would also only get better! However when he left in 2004, he was officially only 27/28. A player that ought to have been in his prime looked to be finished- any pace he did have was gone (maybe he is enjoying an Indian summer at the moment!) Could the reason be that a few years were taken off his real age to accentuate his ability? This would certainly explain the strange case of Kanu. If this theory is applied to our other African players - then Arsenal may have a problem. Toure, Adebeyor and Eboue are all supposedly in their early 20’s, with plenty of scope for improvement. If however, in a few years their performances start diminishing rapidly, then this theory may prove correct, and we will be left with a team that is not as young as it seems.

4. Takeover? There has been much speculation recently about how Arsenal are ripe for a takeover- speculation from both the general press and fans alike. Whilst this remains speculation, it is enough to seriously worry all Gooners. As you may have read from the Arsenal Supporters Trust, a takeover could be relatively simple if the price is right. What concerns me is 1) the rapid buying of a large number of shares a few weeks ago, and 2) the denial from the club that a takeover was being mooted. Is it just me, or does this seem very un-Arsenal like? The club rarely, if ever, respond to press speculation. It could be argued that Arsenal has lost a lot of identity in the last ten years in the revolution it has undergone. Some of it has been good - we have lost the ‘boring’ tag for example, and some bad - Highbury has gone. A takeover however may just rip out the few strands of identity we have left. I am proud of the family history that the Arsenal has, and I believe that this contributes a lot to the tradition of the Arsenal way. We should never, ever, lose this.

5. 5/5/2007? This date (subject to change-SKY!) may not have registered with many people yet, but it could turn out to host every Arsenal fan’s worst nightmare. It is on the 5th of May 2007 that Chelsea are due at Ashburton Grove, for the penultimate game of the season. Looking at previous campaigns, Chelsea have tied up the title with games to spare. If history was to repeat itself… then our title triumphs of 71, 89, 02, and 04 (as well as in the 30’s at the Bridge), and the manner of these victories, will come back to haunt us - can you think of anything worse?! We have all enjoyed winning the title at our fiercest rivals’ grounds, partly because of the humiliation it caused. For this to possibly happen to us may make this particular worry the biggest of the five I have laid out. Imagine it, Cole and Lampard parading around OUR HOME! Mourinho being smug in the centre circle, their ‘fans’ lauding it for years to come. Ashburton Grove would be tarnished forever…

So is your Arsenal glass half full or half empty now? Two of these will (hopefully) never happen, two definitely will do and we have to prepare for these. As for the fifth - it doesn’t bear thinking about…