Arsenal: Buckle Up for the Ride, a Season Preview!

So, the Emirates Cup is over and finally, a trophy! Not that I am going to crow much about its mythical prestige, and, judging by Cesc's almost embarrassed look as he lifted the silverware for all to see, I think it is fair to say that the Arsenal lads won't be bragging much about it either.

And, with the nuances of preseason preparations almost upon us, barring the friendly at the Mestalla of course, there is a lot to mull over as we preview the 2009/10 campaign, Wenger's biggest season yet!

It has been an interesting preseason in many ways, punctuated by Wenger's annoyingly characteristic hush in terms of player recruitment, despite his assertions for the need for experienced campaigners following our European mauling at the hands of Manchester United all the way back in May. Remember?

And yet, as we speak, Thomas Vermaelen is the only signing to date, a welcome one it has been unanimously agreed.

Back to the Emirates Cup and what we really would've got out of it aside from the trophy presentation rubbish at its climax, points that Wenger certainly must act upon. For me, this tournament breezed by as a microcosm of 2008/09.

In short, brilliant with possession and flair overall (although toothless against Atletico Madrid at times), with the same old struggles defensively. Alright, not all of the same old struggles, but certainly enough misdemeanours to derail an otherwise fairly credible title challenge.

But that's boring now as it has been covered to death, and we can safely assume that we have definitely not seen the end of Wenger's chequebook this summer.

Focusing on what we do have, and size-wise, the squad is shaping up pretty nicely ahead of what is the toughest start for any of the "Big Four" (oh and City). The return to fitness of Rosicky and Eduardo, not to mention Gallas, who's absence was costly at the denouement of last season, I feel, has given us a real fillip, as we will have to utilise every ounce of experience and strength going into the season, starting off with the tricky trip to Goodison Park and a potentially hair-raising European qualifier.

Just looking at the first team squad list, without even analysing any of the preseason friendlies is enough to reassure us that we are sorted numbers-wise, as well as in terms of talent, with the likes of Wilshere and the under-praised Merida epitomising the boundless ability that runs right through to the teenagers (although, without re-mentioning any names, some suspect ones do still exist).

We are also covered when it comes to experience, with several players having been around for several failures of all kinds dating back to the heartache of Paris 2006, and so, we cannot use that as an excuse this time around!

Depth, talent and experience- all check. Which leaves physical and mental strength, attributes that shall be tested right from the season kickoff, pending the arrival of that defensive midfielder too of course!

Pre-season (and the squad list) have also to many extents justified the sales of the African duo, for, not only have we managed to rip off Manchester Cityin earning £40 million plus, but we have also guaranteed minimising the disruption from their ventures out to Africa in January and February, a fact not missed by Wenger, especially in light of Kolo's post-African Cup of Nations 2008 form.

Crucially, Wenger had intimated several times, both, on and off the pitch, the need for tactical and technical flexibility if we are to gain any reward during 2009-2010. With the 4-3-3 formation being fed into our preseason preparations along with the "standard" 4-4-2, it is clear that Wenger has a devised "Plan B" right from the start, which makes a decent change from previous years, where we'd scramble for alternatives during Easter when it had evidently become too late to save our season.

With the two formations being used interchangeably right from the start, the possibilities are endless, both, in terms of squad rotation, and when it comes to mobility and penetration, with several players suited to being in a midfield four or front three, including the likes of Arshavin, Walcott, Rosicky, and Eduardo.

And so, in many ways, it will be interesting to see how we fare against top opposition away from home right from the off, with a daunting trip to Manchester (United) soon after the Everton assignment. And a game at City, if you must.

It will also be fascinating to see how certain individuals perform. With the likes of Djourou, Gibbs, Denilson, Bendtner and Vela a year older, and hopefully wiser, it is fair to say that this season is make or break for many of them.

As it is for one Robin van Persie, who, despite his already undoubted class, will be looking to show us his best form following on from last season's return to full fitness, and hopefully surpass his twenty-goal haul as the Club's leading striker.

With the aforementioned tactical flexibility and the squad in fairly rude health, we can also look forward to Fabregas weaving his magic in his favoured position in the midfield, with his passing range and ability second to none in the Premier League (well, soon to be anyway with Xabi Alonso's imminent departure to the Bernabeu).

And with the magical Arshavin about to embark on his first full season at Arsenal, the artillery is certainly shaping up nicely.

With all such points in mind, it is not unreasonable to head into the new season feeling fairly dandy about our prospects, albeit with calm and caution, especially in light of the still glaringly desperate need for those defensive reinforcements, be it in defence, or more pressingly, in midfield.

A strong start will be absolutely imperative to fortify that resonating belief, not least amongst the players themselves, something we disastrously couldn't manage last time out.

At the time of writing, it has been reported that Marouane Chamakh is in London, angling for a move, and, although powerful and highly talented, his signing will surely not be the be all and end all of our summer transfer business.

With Wenger also "mulling" over the return of the legend than is PV4 (only he would not be four anymore with a certain Spaniard claiming the shirt), some even speculating in a player-coach capacity, and with other names being consistently mentioned, it may be that Le Boss has finally heeded the warning.

It may be that we are such a signing away from being the powerful, title-winning, European-challenging side that we so crave and deserve to be after years of "ifs", "buts" and "nearly theres".

And who knows, we might yet get to see Cesc's look of embarrassment turn to that of absolute glee and relief as he holds aloft something bigger and better come May.