Arsene Wenger: The Promise

(Photo by Ian Walton/Getty Images)

"If we buy players, it will certainly not be players who lack experience, we have enough of those..."

The words of Arsène Wenger following our Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester United back in May. Not only that, in the article from which I lifted this quote on Arsenal.com, the article states that Wenger "vows" to strengthen the team in "key areas".

Hello again. Though it seems like only yesterday when I pointed out the need for a takeover for us to have any say in anything major in English football, it also seems like an age ago, where, with my stress of endless exams and deadlines, and the somewhat convenience of a relatively quiet summer of football; certainly as far as Arsenal are concerned, I have now come back to share one or two bones of contention regarding Ithings Arsenal.

How apt it is then to begin with the aforementioned snippet straight from the horse's mouth, with Wenger himself having acknowledged the need for strength and experience if we are to progress.

However, rather alarmingly, and with Wenger having previously pointed that he had wanted to tie up his transfer dealings prior to the team's pre-season tour of Austria and Hungary, the experience and strength that Wenger had suggested he had finally recognised we were lacking, two qualities Gooners have been gagging for, have not arrived.

In fact, they do not look like they are arriving any time soon, with Wenger "not in a hurry to buy" and having a "great belief in our squad"!

It has taken Le Boss two months and two pre-season friendlies (where we all know at least half of the players involved won't play much of a part next season) for him to seemingly go back full circle and declare his contentment at the talent at his disposal.

Now whilst I wholeheartedly believe that we do indeed have a squad full of quality, and whilst Wenger has moved to bring in Thomas Vermaelen, seemingly addressing one major weakness in the team, it is fair to assume that everyone agrees with me when I say that we are, despite the talent and technique, a defensive midfielder short of winning the title or Champions League. A strong, toweringl, holding midfielder, of the highest calibre.

It all looked set to happen with Wenger's apparent pursuit of the then Fiorentina hardman, Felipe Melo.

Admittedly, I had never heard of the guy prior to the Confederations Cup; however, watching his performances and reading up on his rise to stardom in Serie A, I quickly realised that here was potentially another Gilberto Silva, perhaps even with a bit more class and passing ability, with the Arsenal legend himself advising Melo to sign on.

Ultimately, Melo opted to stay in Italy and Juventus helped themselves to a class act.

Now whether our failure to land him was due to Melo's preference for the Italian job, or because Wenger did not want to let go of his prodigal son (that's Eboué to you and me) we shall never know, but you sense that Wenger was indeed ready to chase that elusive midfield player.

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