Arsenal FC: Failing Perception Has Become Arsene Wenger's Unfortunate Reality

As I learned from watching the Wachowski brothers' timeless film the Matrix, perception is reality.  While a few enlightened individuals may understand some truth, the masses are perpetually trapped by some false illusion of an objective reality.

Arsenal supporters would do well to understand this idea.

With Cesc Fàbregas eager to return to Barcelona, Gaël Clichy apparently ready to head off to Manchester City, and Samir Nasri unwilling to agree to a new contract, the media has created the perception that Clichy is leading a mass exodus of top talent from the North Londoners.

In reality, Clichy is decent, but he is not nearly as good as other top caliber left backs including Ashley Cole, Patrice Evra, and Leighton Baines.

Fabregas and Nasri are very good, but the Gunners survived with the pair of them each missing more than half of Arsenal's fixtures through injury.

In other words, Arsenal actually has enough talent to survive the trio's departure. In fact, the team would probably improve since Manager Arsène Wenger could have up to £80 million to recruit similarly talented but more reliable players.

However, the "mass exodus" label will surely prevent top players from moving to the Emirates.

Take the case of Valencia CF winger Mata, who according to ESPNSoccernet.com, recently responded to speculation linking him with Arsenal by uttering, "I want to win a trophy with Valencia next season."

Valencia? Really?

Everyone and their uncle realizes that Barcelona and Real Madrid will finish as the top two teams with Valencia finishing a distant third. With a La Liga crown definitely out of the picture, and a Champions League title even more unlikely, Valencia can only hope to capture a meaningless Copa del Rey Trophy.

Unless he is fundamentally unlike all other highly rated players "flattered" by interest from top tier teams, he must have a very low opinion of Arsenal's trophy prospects.

With this stigma attached to Arsenal increasing as rumored departures begin to materialize into actual departures, Wenger needs to get busy in the transfer market.

According to ESPNsoccernet.com, the Frenchman is reluctant to take action.

"We are in a waiting period, everybody is waiting to see the other [club's] moves."

While his patience would normally be justified, he must act immediately in order to dispel the popular perception that Arsenal is now a failing club.

While I personally advocate signing several undervalued playmakers including Abdel Taarabt, Xherdan Shaqiri, and Gylfi Sigurdsson, who could easily develop into world class talents, most Arsenal supporters are quite sick of Wenger constantly repeating how his young players only require more experience before they can develop into a trophy-winning side.

With this idea in mind, Wenger should go ahead and end the nagging Fabregas complaints by relinquishing his prized asset to Barcelona for a hefty sum.

He could then quickly re-invest some of the funds to sign Bolton center half Gary Cahill to complement Thomas Vermaelen in the central defense.

Apparently destined to lose Clichy, he should convince Leighton Baines to leave Everton and join Gunners. While the English international appears committed to Everton, a combination of money, the promise of Champions League football, and the assurance that he would represent a major upgrade over the former incumbent, might just do the trick.

Supposedly on the verge of signing OSC Lille attacker Gervinho, Wenger might as well buy his highly-rated teammate and long-time Gunners target Eden Hazard.

Having restored his team's credibility through these purchases, Wenger could then shut Nasri up by meeting his wage demands and making him captain.

While the new-look Arsenal side still might not be able to capture the English Premier League (EPL) crown in a crowded table also featuring Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Tottenham, the North Londoners could at least secure Champions League qualification and avoid repeating Liverpool's catastrophic demise during the 2009-2010 season.

Who knows? With a more secure defense, more seasoned players, and a pinch of luck, such a retooled side could certainly emerge as an unlikely EPL Champion.