Arsenal Facing Make-or-Break Season

Arsenal begin preseason against Barnet today as they prepare for their most important season yet.

The Gunners have yet to win a trophy in five years. Fans have been patient and stuck with the manager, but failure to lift a trophy this season will only mean one thing: the youngsters project would have failed. And Arsene Wenger will be the first to admit that.

With the transfer market open, Arsenal have been linked with a host of players to bolster their current squad. The boss has already identified key positions that need reinforcing and has signed one striker and one defender.

But the rumours regarding the future of Cesc Fabregas have been distracting. At last it seems as though Barcelona have given up this season. but retaliated that they will be back for their man. Therefore, Arsenal will hold on to Fabregas for at least one more season.

Wenger hinted that he has enough midfielders. But everyone would love to see Joe Cole at Arsenal, just to give the Gunners one more creative player in the middle. Wenger's worry, though, has to be the defence. With Gallas, Silvestre, and Campbell all out of contract. The Arsenal boss admitted that Arsenal were in the market for another defender.

All Arsenal fans would welcome the signing of a goalkeeper. It is understood that Arsenal failed with a bid to sign Mark Schwarzer from Fulham FC. The gaffer still has work to do in the transfer market.

Nevertheless, this season is the crucial one. These young Arsenal players have bags of experience now that they've been to cup finals and lost. They have come so close to snatching the league before letting their lead slip. The players have been through it all and have done it together.

Wenger's plan has been to keep a young squad together so they can grow and mature as one unit. But failure to win a cup this season will mean nothing but failure for Arsenal FC.