Written by Mean Lean on Friday, 19 August 2011 15:59

Look who has returned to the party? Our good old chum, injury.

Injury had been making fewer appearances than normal last season and I was kinda hoping that he had lost a little bit of interest with us and was on the way up to Manchester to pay them a visit. That would be too much to ask for I guess. Injuries are making a somewhat delicate situation considerably worse.

Before the season had begun, we had already lost Abou Diaby due to an ankle operation, one that I hope finally solves the poor guy's problems. Yeah, I know that may well be wishful thinking but you have to hope that something at some point will change his luck. How we could have done with a Diaby right about now, even if it was for three games before breaking down again. Or is three games in a row a little wishful thinking?

Then Mr Arsenal picks up a knock. No, not Robin but the other Mr Arsenal, Sir Jack of Wilshere. I am rather annoyed about that injury I must say because I tell you, with the pre season behind him he was about to fly out of the traps faster than Theo latching onto a through pass. Instead he is walking around with a boot that is clearly too big for him.

Wenger seems rather upbeat about his recovery but excuse me for reserving my excitement until he is actually seen running around the pitch, dropping his shoulder one way and scooping the ball to the opposite side. I love that little fella, I tell you.

Alex Song you silly, silly boy. We really could have done with you right about now. Alex Song and Emmanuel Frimpong love it up em in a cold, windy, rainy, slightly cloudy, mildly frosty night in Stoke and they would have given our team a nice strong defensive platform to build on, instead we are clearly a man down. I dread to think what will happen if we suffer any midfield injuries tomorrow. Manuel Almunia as the creative midfielder perhaps?

So yes, we are stretched, down to the bare bones and all the rest of it. It is not ideal to be going into the game tomorrow with such little experience throughout the side but that is bearable, it is the second leg of the Champions League qualifier that is the real risk but I guess Arsene wouldn't have imagined that we could have suffered so many injuries in such a short space of time.

Currently we have Gibbs, Djourou, Song, Wilshere, Rosicky, Diaby and Gervinho all unavailable for the game tomorrow, that is seven first team players. We have also sold or loaned out a further five in Cesc, Eboue, Denilson, Vela and Clichy. Expect that to rise to six anytime soon as Nasri looks close to heading out of the door, even if he is included in the match day squad for tomorrow.

So to sum all of that up, it is worrying that we are thin on the ground (going cliche mad here it seems) and in the short term it COULD be a problem, even a big problem if we do not see off Udinese but after having read the blogs and listened to the podcasts etc, I wonder why so many people are so final with everything. I have to glance at my phone and check that my phone isn't actually broken and the real date is actually September 1st.

'This squad is just not good enough to get into the top four'
'We are going to finish sixth'
'How can Alex Chamberlain be counted on to be a regular starter'

These points would all be totally valid if the transfer window was sealed, bolted and chained up. It isn't, if you push the handle down, it will open.

So why hasn't Arsene got all his business done so far when we really need him to?

Who knows! I certainly do not know the facts.

I do not know which of his targets are available right now.

I do not know which clubs are holding on for larger offers,

I do not know if Arsene will not be able to bring in all his targets in with the price tags currently hanging over them. Perhaps player x,y and z can all be purchased now but if we wait till the price drops then we can include player w.

I also do not know if the board have said 'Oi, Arsene! You have x to spend now but y to spend if you get a result in Italy on Wednesday'

A fat load of speculation, but I am guessing that it is the same for all of us. What I do know is that judging by previous history, Arsene has worked three different ways in the transfer window.

Early bird

Targets obviously sourced early, probably moves started way before the summer had started. Players like Tomas Rosicky, Laurent Koscielny, Thomas Vermaelen and now Gervinho were all brought in very early during the transfer window.

Fashionably late

This is where we are at the moment and none of us like it too tough. But we have to remember that we are not the only one's playing this game of transfer brinkmanship. There are several reasons why clubs wait as long as possible before making their move. One because it weakens the hand of the selling club.

A big factor is also that clubs who operate in a different world are watching very closely at the clubs who have a track record at finding top talent i.e. us. Once we contact a club about the target that we have watched for months and months, Manchester City or Chelsea slam down a larger briefcase packed with fiddy notes inside. Arsenal have had to learn to wait for the financially doped clubs to run around throwing money at all and sundry before making our moves when City and Chelsea are tucked up in bed sound asleep.

Cast your mind back over the years. Diarra, Denilson, Baptista, Gallas, Squillaci and Silvestre (thanks to the Twitterverse for the recap)

While all those names may not get your collective juices bubbling, it is proof that plenty of Wenger's work has been done late in the day.

The Chequebook is closed

Every Arsenal fan's worst nightmare. 'If we find the quality then we will do it but I am happy with the quality of the squad'

Cue an article about how Henri Lansbury is ready to make the step up on Arsenal.com

We have been in this situation before, we have wanted a new face to supplement the squad but Wenger either hasn't been able to or hasn't wanted to bring in new personnel.

Stop panicking, we haven't been in a position where we have let five or six players leave the club in one summer. This is not the same situation as a fan wanting Loric Cana or Miguel Veloso and not getting him. This is completely different. Wenger knows we need to strengthen the squad, the board know that we need players and that will happen but just probably late.

So whatever the reason is, we are probably waiting until the latter reaches of the window, with our list and chequebook at the ready. Players are probably going to have to rush to the airport to fly over and take a medical and we might have to wait until the morning after the transfer window is shut to see if any Diarra's or Denilson's slipped through without anyone noticing.

Let us all panic together about our games against Liverpool and Udinese but please hold fire about our season prospects. We will not know this until all the final pieces have been clicked together.

Back tomorrow with pre Liverpool stuff.

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Comments (17)

• 19-Aug-2011 16:56 | | Gary
  

  Another great article from one of my favourite Arsenal blogs. Well done and thank you for trying to restore a bit of sanity in arsenal-land.

• 19-Aug-2011 17:10 | | Rui G.  - Good to see some share the perspective!
  

  Let us get behind the team we're either Gooners or the enemy. Pull in the same direction and remember that in "Arsene we trust" comes not from blind faith but based on over 30 years of football knowledge and someone still involved in the top tier of professional football.

• 19-Aug-2011 17:36 | | feeno
  

  Man U have Vidic, Ferdinand, Da Silva all out injured, do we hear crisis in the media? do we hell. goalkeeper flappin about letting trundlers under him, do we hear crisis. do we hell

• 19-Aug-2011 17:36 | | Goonzilla  - Well Said - Plus some additional comments
  

  Great post as always ML.
  
  It is good to remind people that the window is STILL OPEN. People complain about the quality of signings that have come in so far and have already put them to the sword before they kick a ball for Arsenal. I plead with gooners around the world to judge the signings after they have had a run of games. In my opinion, the youngsters that have come in seem first class and ready to fit into the first team immedately (maybe not start, but to be part of the first team squad). We all saw the impact Ryo had at Feyernood last season. Joel Campbell has 6 senior international caps and a couple of goals at that level already, while AOC has been touted as one of the brightest talents in britain. Jenkinson has already started to show glimpses of his talent. This is not to say that we do not need extra bodies in the squad.
  
  It is obvious that we need a new creative MF considering we have sold Cesc and Nasri isnt far away from the door. We know it, the media knows it and you bet Arsene knows it as well. Lets see what happens come September 1. As ML rightly highlights, the amount of money at AWs disposal most probably depends on whether we get into the Champs Lg proper. So please hold your horses before you shoot him down.
  
  On the defensive side, Verm and Kos have started well and I dont see AW going for a Cahill (for a player with 1 year left on his contract 17m is way too much, except you are Man City) or any other expensive buy. I except to see someone like Scott Dann, who in my opinion is a hell of a player (He never let me down in my fantasy league last season and always looked solid in the Birm City games I watched last season). A good back up alongside Djourou. I also think we need another Left Back considering Gibbs' injuty record. If AW doesn't sign one, then the chances of him signing a Cahill and moving TV5 to LB is a possible option. I guess we will have to wait to see what happens.
  
  I am looking forward to the Liverpool game tomorrow and would really like to see how Frimpong performs on his first start (Song has been a little relaxed for a while now and needs some serious competition). Our creative midfield hub should be one to watch as well. Hoping for some improvement but fingers crossed. I also hope we get a glimpse of Ryo at some point as we makes his bow at the emirates. There is also the Verm and Kos partnership to look out for as well, as they come up against two very different type of strikers in Suarez and Carroll. Scezney has been looking good as well. Lets see how he commands his box. And then there's the new captain RVP. How will he lead us on his first game out as captain.
  
  A lot to look forward to and I certainly cannot wait for kickoff tomorrow

• 19-Aug-2011 18:21 | | tomstoned  - stupidity
  

  the slide of Arsenal are already in motion...and im proud to see that we the Gooners wont stick up for this anymore...we're being lied to ripped off. Gazidis do us all a favour and get out....Kroenke..you lazy bum..Wenger p*ss off..
  still tickets available for the pool game tomorrow...when was the last time oone could get tickets to top games almost until kick off ? The Gooners have voted..
  and please xplain where does the money go ?? wenger is certaimly not investing them in the team..where is it ?????????
  im not angry anymore...im just sick of it..The Arsenal has lost its way..
  and the only ONLY ambition of this ridicilous club is to make MONEY..
  Sell Sell Sell Sell Sell...
  what a joke of a club we have become...

• 19-Aug-2011 18:32 | | Tau
  

  Prescednt gvs a lil cmfort,lets hop w get in th playrs w want.artcle ws briliant as usual bt hey get th scoop 4 u.lik they say curiosit kild a dog

• 19-Aug-2011 18:49 | | shekssss
  

  With us, or without, guns or gonors... Cmon arsenal... I love my club soo much, this article just reinforced that.. Very level headed blogger..

• 19-Aug-2011 19:25 | | Khalid  - In Arsene we trust
  

  Arsene has proved over the years without splashing money like the other clubs that we are not only about potential and promise but a contender at the very top level. With a bit of luck this year (avoiding injuries) we can give the big spenders a run for their money and finish top. Arsenal is ready to GUN em down. Bring em on!

• 19-Aug-2011 21:05 | | irish gooner
  

  welcome back ML,,,its been to long,,,im in the dam for the united game,,,joints beer and arsenal,,,,the perfect weekend away

• 19-Aug-2011 21:17 | | MeanLean
  

  Thank you mate.
  
  I am jealous! I love Holland, a lovely place and the people are so welcoming and laid back there.
  
  Lets hope we can grab a victory to make your trip there even more enjoyable.

• 19-Aug-2011 21:22 | | MeanLean
  

  Great post as ever Goonzilla. I agree with plenty of the sentiments raised.
  
  I certainly do not see Wenger paying £17m for a player with one year left. I am very happy with Kos and Verm as first choice, I am happy with Djourou pre injury. We need someone in place of Squillaci for when the squad is down to its last legs.
  
  I am looking forward to Ryo leaving full backs on their arses.

• 20-Aug-2011 00:56 | | Omglol
  

  Great post, love when someone write something with support for the team. Enough of crying and doom day stories.

• 20-Aug-2011 15:03 | | Andy Mack
  

  Tomstoned, either you're 11 years old or you're a simpleton.
  The money is there to be used when a worthwhile target is available.
  We all wish it had happened already, but it hasn't.
  
  Who wanted to sell Cesc?
  Who wants to sell Nasri?
  
  The problem isn't the club or the vast majority of supporteds that know things aren't going well but also know they will eventually. The problem is the minority who are loud doomers, with little to know understanding of where AWs taken this club.
  Understand that if we end this season in 10th place, it would still mean we're lightyears better off than before he came.
  Watch the David Dein interview on BBC if you want the adult opinion of the situation

• 21-Aug-2011 05:12 | | luis zelaya
  

  it´s nice to see positive gooners, it is a great feeling believeng and loving this club, i just haven't felt that way in a while, the love is there, but the belief not so much. just seeing the same scenario over and over makes me bitter. i think wenger has made a mistake by waiting so long, but what do i know. i just hope he gets it right, it is just painful seeing the team lose, play badly.

• 22-Aug-2011 23:08 | | richie  - well said AM
  

  Too too many can't see the wood for the tree's!

• 22-Aug-2011 23:17 | | richie  - A minority of one? So be it
  

  I may be in a minority but I don't think we played badly at all. Not only that but I'm a glutton for punishment I suffered a bloody rerun. How much did we miss Vermaeling last season? He was immense! Unlike many I'm not even pissed at Frimpong! I think we've needed a bit of steel in the middle of the park for too long.

• 23-Aug-2011 16:03 | | John
  

  Are we not down to our last legs now ML.

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