After once being league leaders, the Gunners have had to settle once again for a third place finish.  Arsene Wenger’s contingency of primarily young players played some implausible attacking football this season and even looked destined for the title at one point.  But a bad run of form in March and April allowed Manchester United and Chelsea to overhaul them in the standings. 

There’s no doubt Wenger needs to strengthen his squad for next season if his side are to mount a serious challenge for the title.  Manchester United and Chelsea seem to only get stronger each season and if Arsenal is to have any chance of matching them next season then they’ll need to reinforce their ranks this summer.  

That’s why the question has to be asked, why is Arsene Wenger letting some of his best players leave?  Matthieu Flamini has already agreed terms with AC Milan and now Alexander Hleb looks set to join Milan’s cross city rivals, Inter Milan.  Fransesc Fabregas, the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, has also been rumored with a move to Spain. 

Arsene Wenger must know his squad needs some improvements this summer, so why is he reducing his squad instead of bolstering it?  Maybe he has his eye on a couple transfer targets this summer, but that doesn’t mean he needs to allow some of the more integral members of his squad to depart.

The exit door at Emirates Stadium has been flung wide open, and I’m beginning to wonder who else will be marching through it in the next couple of weeks.