With Mathieu Flamini already packing his bags on his way to AC Milan, a whole host of rumours have permeated about the futures of many of Arsenal's prized assets.
Many of the key players in the Gunners' title push have emerged as either unhappy or ready to leave. But which ones should Wenger be worried about and does this constitute a crisis?
Firstly, the loss of Flamini is a huge blow. The defensive midfield position has become something of a phenomenon in modern football following the successes of Claude Makelele, and it appears that Arsenal do not have any ready-made replacements.
World class alternatives on the transfer market appear limited and so Wenger could struggle to find a suitable replacement. Only Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra stands out as a possible signing.
Following Flamini out the door could be Belarussian Alexander Hleb. The winger has repeatedly expressed a desire to move over recent months and a transfer to Internazionale looks to be coming sooner rather than later. Despite two years remaining on his contract, Hleb looks set to buy himself out of all ties to Arsenal.
Stories in the press today remark that star striker Emmanuel Adebayor is requesting £80,000 a week to stay at the club. Whilst not an outrageous demand by today's standards, the fact that he is raising the point in the media before the end of the season suggests a level of unhappiness with his situation.
And, as always, rumours persist about Arsene's prodigy Cesc Fabregas. Never too far from transfer speculation, Real Madrid's president would have us believing he has the Spaniard on speed dial.
Insofar as the definite departures, Flamini and Hleb will leave gaping holes in the Arsenal first midfield. However, with the emergence of Theo Walcott as a potential winger and Tomas Rosicky ready for action come August, the only desperate need is a midfielder to complement Fabregas.
Which brings us to the crucial factor. Should Cesc Fabregas or Adebayor also head to pastures new, Wenger would have real cause for concern. The duo have been the consistent outstanding performers for Arsenal this year and to lose either could set the club back years.
Wenger has spent years nurturing Fabregas from a young prospect to an international standard central midfielder and no amount of money could compensate a manager keen to build his side around the youngster.
If these two were to leave as well, Arsenal would indeed be facing a crisis.
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5 months ago
I don't see Fabregas moving and Arsenal can do a lot better than Adebayor...but yeah their seems to be a situation at Arsenal. Very unusual for a club under Arsene's control.
from 5 months ago
I was surprised at the number of players that seem to be unsettled and breaking stories to the press all at once.
Do they know something we don't or do they think Arsenal really aren't going to challenge next season? It's not like they were out of competitions early on this year.
5 months ago
Well something is clearly up and I'm sure it will come out eventually. A few bad apples maybe.
5 months ago
Entente Cordiale would appear to be "going down the pan" at The Emirates in recent months. First the undercover actions of the notorious Mr Dein and his swift banishment to the nether regions, followed by the alleged loss on monies during the exit of Mr Henry, then the banishment of Mr Edelman recently, with the instant removal of his name from his seat in the directors box, culminating with Mr Wenger's problems with myopia and eventually it leads with some players "jumping ship". If the problems "upstairs" continue to mount it could be a call to ABANDON SHIP !
5 months ago
well no matter what hapens i beleive wenger is destined for more glorybn to come lets all be patient.
5 months ago
I think Arsenal had to make several signings to be really competing next season such as replacing Senderos, Lehmann and possibly Eboue. Not forgetting that Van Persie is seriously injury prone and he might need cover for him.
Now with Flamini gone and Hleb looking set to leave he has more problems. They were after all, two of Arsenals best players this season.
I dont know about a crisis but it has made it harder for them to compete next season.
5 months ago
I think if you were listing Arsenal's best players this season, Flamini and Hleb would both be in the top5, so to lose them both would be a big blow. It would be the equivalent of Liverpool losing Mascherano and Benayoun, Man Utd losing Carrick and Giggs, or Chelsea losing Essien and Joe Cole.
Yes Arsenal have the capacity to buy quality replacements, but those replacements are likely to be foreign, and likely to need time to settle in the English game before they reach their best (like Flamini and Hleb themselves both had to do). Adebayor gets criticism, but the fact is he scored 30 plus goals this season, and again if he left that would be another big issue to replace him (I think he will stay though) I don't see Fabregas leaving either, but you never know, apparently Guardiola was his idol, and look who just took over at Barcelona........
With Rosicky missing the Euro's because of injury as well, and potentially being rusty at the start of next season, Arsenal could be in for a fraught summer. With Liverpool also facing off-field struggles and Chelsea set for a major re-shuffle of their squad and playing style, Manchester United will be laughing this summer. They have a settled, youthful squad, settled (debts apart) off the pitch and must start next season as pretty strong favourites whatever happens in tomorrow's finale to this season.
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