Pradeep Kachhala
Plenty of goings on in Goonerland last week. Firstly the news that we are very likely to have signed a new striker in the next 48 hours. Gervinho looks to be Wenger's first purchase in a summer of hopefully much needed restructuring. I really haven't seen enough of the striker who played a large part in helping Lille to win the French double last season, but it is fair to say that Gooners were hoping for a slightly bigger name especially as we were linked with the likes of Benzema in recent months. However I will hold judgement and give him a chance, as Chamakh saw last season, the EPL is a huge step up and it will be interesting to see how Gervinho adapts. One thing that was interesting to note in his stats was that not only did he score 15 goals last season but he also had 10 assists. Hence I do not think he will be prolific in the EPL, rather a team player who may strike a partnership with RVP. Incidentally this will probably free up Bendtner to leave a seek pastures new.
In a week where Manchester United and Liverpool have paid a combined £35 million for unproven English teenagers is it any surprise that Arsene Wenger is reluctant to dip into the English transfer market? While it is true Wenger was interested in Phil Jones and made a £15 million offer (if you believe the press) I think this may be a bullet dodged. Not because Jones is a bad player, on the contrary he looks very good (as does Smalling who Wenger also was beaten to by Man Utd), but AFC require experienced and proven defenders. Incidentally how impressive has Henri Lansbury been for the England U21s? Under Stuart Pearce they look solid if a tad uninventive, eager to chuck the long ball and rely on powerful strikers, but each time Lansbury has come on he has given the team the creative spark and touch of class that makes him stand out amongst his peers. I recall an earlier article on this website giving a mixed review for Lansbury, but a season long loan in the EPL possibly with Norwich could be the final development that this gifted player needs.
All relatively quiet on the Cesc to Barcelona front. Cesc is not forcing a move, Wenger is adamant that he will not sell, while the Catalan club look to have gone cold on paying above the odds for Fabregas. Cesc has handled this impeccably, and I would be very surprised if he is not an Arsenal player come August, although a lot can change between now and then. Another "contract rebel" is Nasri, which is one I am slightly more concerned about. The sooner he signs, the quicker AFC can move forward as he is a key player in our challenge for honours next season. The rumour is he wants the club to bring in more capable players, which isn't unreasonable but slightly disconcerting as another example of growing player power.
The new fixture list is out! And August promises to be a big challenge. Starting with Newcastle away, we then host Liverpool before going to Old Trafford. My initial thoughts were the horror of dropping points very early on but it is upon reflection an early chance to extinguish ghosts of last season, if we can win these games it sets us up nicely in terms of mental strength going forward. As I recall we didn't even turn up at Old Trafford last season. These games are also in between vital Champions League play off fixtures, so suddenly our drop in form toward the end of last season is catching up with us. Furthermore it would be a good idea for Wenger to settle transfer business sooner rather than later so that squad integration is in place before the vital month of August.
Finally the AST had their annual meeting with Ivan Gazidis last Monday. I'm still not fully sold on Gazidis or the strength of his relationship with Wenger, while the reasons for a ticket price increase were slightly debatable to say the least. But I do fully endorse what the UK's 2nd richest man said this week regarding the board and their level of ambition. Usmanov is a man who should be commended for not kicking up a fuss regarding his lack of boardroom presence despite owning nearly 30% of the club. I believe he genuinely cares for Arsenal and it will be interesting to see how his position of power changes in the next few months should AFC not make the appropriate signings our fans crave and we end us trophyless again.
