Maybe my memory isn’t all that, but it seems Arsenal are always in a similar position at this stage of preparation. The squad isn’t settled, there are rumours about who was and wasn’t in the first team squad photo. Players rumoured to be coming will not be announced until we’ve shipped out somebody currently on the payroll who is demanding a transfer whilst the club play hardball over the fee.

So this year we await the departures of Cole and Reyes, expecting Baptista and possibly Ribery to arrive in their stead, although whether or not ‘the Beast’ (now he has his Spanish passport) is the man we need is open to question. It’s ironic that we may well do a swap deal with Real Madrid featuring one former Sevilla player exchanged for another.

However, the positions that probably need addressing are left back and defensive central midfield. Cole’s first choice replacement is the injured Clichy, and few believe he will ever have a decent run of matches given his familiarity with the treatment table. Traore and Hoyte offer potential, but cannot be expected to produce the goods in what look to be a relatively inexperienced backline already (assuming Eboue continues once Lauren returns). Or is Wenger thinking Flamini can continue there? It would go against his ethos of playing full backs that can play good passing football.

Funnily enough, the formation that Wenger ultimately decides upon (and I suggest he may be thinking of 4-5-1 switching to 4-3-3 depending on the situation in a match) is all about building the team around Fabregas now. Over the last few months he has become as integral to Arsenal’s style as Henry. Cesc really has to be played central to make the most of his talents, but realistically, it would be asking too much of him to do a great deal of the defensive duties required from a player in the heart of a 4-4-2 midfield, so I suspect another midfielder will be brought in to help with the load, as happened on the continent to such success last campaign.

To challenge in the Premiership once again, Arsenal have to toughen up once more. Patrick Vieira’s history now, so a solution must be found for the defensive side of The Gunners’ game which has patently been neglected - partially down to a lack of suitable personnel. Traditionally, Wenger’s Arsenal teams have had their four most defensive outfield players as the four in the middle – centre backs and central midfield. Cesc doesn’t fit this bill but has to be played, so with three central, Lauren could do a job, Freddie could also. Maybe Baptista if he comes. Not sure about Diaby once he returns as far as defence goes. I rally haven’t seen enough.

Initially, Wenger will probably field 4-4-2 thinking he can still win matches against inferior opposition. But Arsenal have to beat Chelsea, Man Utd and Liverpool to challenge for the title once more. Maybe Wenger will just convert to European mode for those matches by stuffing his midfield. Ultimately though, the squad is under-strength at the moment. Too much potential and not enough experience.

I predict the line-up for the Villa match will be similar to the one in Zagreb with the exceptions of Henry for Adebayor and Lehmann for Almunia. Let’s just hope Martin O’Neill hasn’t had enough time to change Villa substantially from the outfit that succumbed 5-0 at Highbury last season.

One final thought, I think the outfield players will chip in with more goals this campaign to take the weight off Henry’s back, with Fabregas as the second highest scorer. So no need to buy another forward to help Thierry.