Arsenal FC: Star Defections Put Gunners Youth Philosophy at a Crossroads

Arsene Wenger must choose a clear direction for Arsenal and fast.  The sale of star skipper Cesc Fabregas along with the club's confirmation that Samir Nasri is joining top four rivals Manchester City, have presented a tricky dilemma for Wenger.

The heart of the issue is simple.  If Wenger is serious about pursuing Premier League and European glory, then money must be spent on established stars.

But if the club remain committed to developing youth, then expectations have to become more realistic in order to reflect this stance.

The existing squad cannot possibly be expected to compete with the big spending Manchester duo and Chelsea.  Arsenal simply do not possess the quality to win enough games to secure the top trophies.

For all the plaudits currently being given to Manchester United, commending their own efforts to go with young talent, the league Champions have still spent close to £50 million this summer.

Their bench for yesterday's customary demolition of Tottenham Hotspur featured Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez.

The addition of Juan Mata makes facing Chelsea an even more daunting task than usual.  Manchester City have shown in their first two league fixtures the depth of quality attacking resources at Roberto Mancini's disposal.

If Arsenal really expect to challenge alongside these expensively assembled squads, then the Gunners need better players.

Wenger with the support of the board must back their supposed intent with the finances needed to secure superior talent.

Conversely if the club are still focused on operating on a budget and unearthing younger, cheaper talents, then this needs to be reflected more in the first-team squad.

This means that instead of parting with huge fees to find like for like replacements for Fabgregas and Nasri, Arsenal should promote from within.

True youth development means elevating an emerging talent like Kyle Ebecilio or Chuks Aneke.  Not turning to under performing second tier players like Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky who have had long enough to convince.

One of the most disappointing aspects of Saturday's defeat to Liverpool was the sight of Nicklas Bendtner entering the fray.

The inconsistent striker has been angling for a move all summer.  But Wenger still turned to the Danish international to replace a very ineffective Theo Walcott.

If Bendtner continues to be the alternative then why buy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain?  Why go to the trouble of obtaining a work permit for Ryo Miyaichi?

If the philosophy is about giving youngsters a chance then why not go with Chamberlain or Miyaichi?  If Chamberlain is not ready to supplant Bendtner for a league game, then isn't the fee paid for him a waste?

The money spent on Chamberlain could have instead been put towards the purchase of an established player, ready to add something to the starting 11 immediately.

Signing talented players at the age of 17 and holding them back from first team action until their early twenties does not constitute a true youth philosophy.

It is this inconsistency in the club's direction that led to Samir Nasri starting against Liverpool.  Instead of picking a player counting down the days until he jumps ship, a promising youngster could have been given the chance to stake his claim.

Arsenal's incoherent philosophy has left the squad in a state of limbo and created unrealistic and over bearing expectations for success.

To be genuine contenders money will have to be spent.  The arrival of marquee signings means the club will have to live with the resulting delay to the development of youngsters like Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong.  This will be the price of attaining major honours.

If Arsene Wenger and the board won't or can't engage in lavish spending aimed at a quick fix, then they must temper expectations for the young squad.

Arsenal's contradictory approach to team building has created a worrying malaise.  Trying to claim the sport's biggest prizes with a cheap and insufficient talent base has led to tremendous tension between the club's hierarchy and fans.

Arsene Wenger has to decide on a single, coherent strategy to rebuild his team, or further angry recriminations are in store as the season progresses.