Arsenal FC: 10-Step Master Plan To Restore Glory to Emirates

As a Manchester United fan, I should admit that I often laugh at Arsenal and their apparent inability to secure wins in important contests.

However, with Cesc Fabregas rumored to be on his way to Barcelona and Samir Nasri unwilling to sign a new contract, I'm really worried for the Gunners.  As an English Premier League (EPL) elitist, I hate watching a respected rival struggle. 

Sure, I want United to beat Arsenal (along with Liverpool, Chelsea, City, etc.), but I always root for them to succeed in Europe.  Their success legitimizes United's performance and increases the chances of an exhilarating matchup between two EPL teams in the Champions League quarterfinals or semifinals.

Hoping that Arsenal will not emulate Liverpool's 2009-2010 season, here is my step-by-step plan for Manager Arsène Wenger to finally restore some legitimacy to the North Londoners.

1. Sell Cesc Fàbregas

Unfortunately for Arsenal supporters, Cesc Fàbregas would rather ride the bench for Barcelona than play as the captain for Arsenal.

Fine—let him go.

With Barcelona pegging their former academy player as the ideal replacement for Xavi Hernández, club executives (along with the players as well) seem hell-bent on securing his services.

While Barcelona is apparently willing to pay less for the Spanish international following an injury-riddled season than they would have at the end of last season, Wenger can probably utilize the strong mutual interest between Fàbregas and Barca to shake down the Catalan giants for at least £30 million.

Bottom Line

Fàbregas' departure supplements Wenger's transfer kitty and allows him to begin restructuring his squad.

2. Re-Sign Samir Nasri to a Long-Term Deal

With Fabregas finally off the books, Wenger could appoint Samir Nasri as the new captain and meet his £110,000 million/week wage demands.

A dynamic playmaker capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or a winger, Nasri should continue to excel as long as he can remain healthy throughout the duration of the season.

Bottom Line

Upon attempting to re-sign the Frenchman, Wenger should reassure him that Arsenal will be very active in the transfer market.

3. Sell Nicklas Bendtner and Denilson

While Nicklas Bendtner is not as awful as he is portrayed by fans and the media, he is clearly not better than either Robin van Persie or Marouane Chamakh.  Considering that Wenger usually fields only a single, central striker, Bendtner is clearly surplus to requirements.

Denilson does not appear to be either good or bad.  Considering that his absence would not really hurt Arsenal and he still holds some value in the transfer market, why not sell him?

Bottom Line

At £8 million apiece, they would certainly help Arsenal do some serious damage in the transfer market

4. Buy Chris Samba and Gary Cahill

Linked with the pair of highly rated defenders throughout this transfer window, Arsenal should sign both using most of the funds acquired from the Fàbregas transfer.  In addition to providing greater consistency in the back, Samba and Cahill would present Arsenal with the aerial threat missing last season. 

With Thomas Vermaelen returning from injury, Wenger could field a tremendously improved defense which would make big plays on both sides of the pitch.

Bottom Line

Wenger could experiment with Vermaelen at left-back, allowing him to start a trio of bona fide, top-notch defenders.

5. Buy Lassana Diarra

Though an excellent holding midfielder cast in the mold of compatriot Claude Makélelé, Lassana Diarra now appears to be surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.  With Turkish internationals Hamit Altintop and Nuri Şahin joining an already crowed midfield featuring Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira and Pepe, Wenger might be able to lure the underrated Frenchman away from Real.

For around £10 million (or slightly more if necessary), Diarra would be a phenomenal signing.  His ability to stop counterattacks before they become legitimate scoring opportunities would certainly shore up the back while enabling offensive-minded defenders such as Vermaelen more latitude to move forward.

Bottom Line

Diarra is versatile enough to transition from Jose Mourinho's reactionary approach to Arsenal's possession-oriented system.

6. Take Two of Three: Xherdan Shaqiri, Abdel Taarabt and Gylfi Siggurdson

Those of you who watched the U-21 European Championship realize that Xherdan Shaqiri is an exceptionally talented and versatile winger with the potential to develop into a world-class player.  However, despite also playing well for his club, FC Basel, and Swiss national side, he has generated little transfer interest and would thus represent an excellent bargain buy.

Taarabt impressed mightily for QPR in the Football Championship last season and is clearly poised for a breakout 2011-2012 season.  His mesmerizing footwork and clever passing have attracted the interest of nouveau riche French side Paris Saint-Germain, but the Moroccan playmaker would surely spurn such a move if he could secure regular minutes with Arsenal.

Sigurdsson featured in the U-21 European Championship for Iceland where he started slowly but ultimately almost led his side to a surprising semifinals appearance.  His ability to score from long-range strikes with either foot makes him exceptionally dangerous.

 While EPL fans would probably once again roll their eyes as Wenger once again would have selected youth over experience, each of these players would flourish playing in front of a more stable defense and alongside battle-tested veterans Robin van Persie, Theo Walcott, Andrei Arshavin and Jack Wilshere (if you can even call them veterans).

Bottom Line

Wenger could probably acquire two of these superbly creative players with exceptionally bright futures for around £25 million. 

7. Don't Sell Gael Clichy or Andrei Arshavin

Contrary to popular perception, Andrei Arshavin actually performed well last season scoring 10 goals and contributing 18 assists.  While he might not be able to replicate the form which saw him score four goals against Liverpool in the 2008-2009 season, he is still a regular contributor who has plenty of experience playing top-flight football.

Clichy is similarly not a dominant force, but the Frenchman is a solid performer and the only remaining member of the Invincibles of the 2003-2004 season.

Bottom Line

Neither player would command a hefty enough fee to justify his sale.

8. Don't Buy Gervinho

While Wenger is apparently only days away from adding Gervinho, I can't but think this would be a mistake.

Overrated by virtue of his trendy Ivorian nationality and by playing for the unlikely Ligue 1 Champions, I simply don't see him developing into a reliable performer at the Emirates.

While not blessed with the same natural abilities as compatriot Didier Drogba, he apparently shares the same lust for controversy with a recent statement directed toward new teammate Marouane Chamakh:

"

"Do not compare me to [Marouane] Chamakh. I'm going to Arsenal to play and be in the action. I'm not going there to sit on bench."

 

"

Bottom Line

You can do better Arsène Wenger.

9. Tie Loose Ends

Bottom Line

After acquiring his new corps of players, Wenger should offload players who don't appear as if they will regularly contribute.  This list should include: Sebastien Squillaci, Tomáš Rosický, Johan Djourou and Carlos Vela. 

None of these players should command large transfer fees, but their collective sales should help Arsenal recoup some of the recently invested funds.

10. Stick to Your Method

Arsenal will never invest as much as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea.  However, Arsène Wenger has crafted a side capable of consistently competing with each of these sides.  While he has not won a trophy in several years, his approach of recruiting a slew of talented youngsters will eventually pay off.

Bottom Line

If Arsenal make the appropriate roster moves during the current transfer window, I think they will become legitimate Champions League contenders.