Can Fabregas and Adebayor Propel Arsenal to Glory?

Arsene Wenger and Arsenal will most likely be disappointed with another trophy-less season. 

Their unwavering commitment to great football hasn't proved successful trophy wise in comparison to United and Chelsea in the past few seasons, not that AC Milan or Barcelona are exactly raking them in themselves. 

Wenger's respect for the board's financial restraints might also be a factor in some people's mind, particularly a few Gunners players. 

While the Glazer's and the Abramovich's of the world are funding big money moves for Man Utd and Chelsea,  Wenger relies on a more keen eye for a bargain and talent to sign quality players (think Fabregas, Toure, Clichy, Flamini, Eduardo). 

Being generous, I'd say that combined those players would have cost under or around 20 million pounds.  Owen Hargreaves, a flashier version of Mathieu Flamini, cost around that much on his own, Anderson too. 

So after another year under the belt for Arsenal's young squad, how will they fare going into this season?

Of course, it must be said that not a lot of transfer activity has eventuated yet.  But it is clear that Hleb will be leaving for one of Europe's top clubs in Italy or Spain.

There has been a lot of speculation that Samir Nasri is close to signing for the Gunners, who I would see as a like for like swap for Hleb.

Right, the goalkeepers.

GK Manuel Almunia - Had a good season last time around.  Seems to have eliminated the high profile errors from his game that were apparent when he first arrived. Being No. 1 for a while will have done his confidence a world of good. 

GK Lukasz Fabianski - Young 'keeper signed from Legia at the start of last season. Looked handy in the Carling Cup and when given a run towards the end of last season. Will have to be patient, as it would take a really bad run of form from Almunia to allow him a crack at EPL and Champions League matches.

GK Vito Mannone - Young Italian who joined Arsenal in 2005 from Atlanta. Like Fabianski, will have to be patient, could go out on loan, or there is a slim chance he could appear in the Carling Cup.  However at his age, reserve team football is to be expected.

Defenders

LB Gael Clichy - Clichy was unknown when signed from AS Cannes in 2003 for £250,000 but has gone from strength to strength in each season and is one of the more consistent left-backs in the Premiership. Would be considered indispensable by Arsene Wenger.

LB Armand Traore - In the same way, Clichy was Cole's understudy, and Traore is Clichy's. If Clichy is explosive, Traore is at least as much so.  It would appear that Traore could operate on the left wing, but that is more a reflection of the lack of left sided players at Arsenal than any great revelation on Wenger's part. Wenger will be confident enough to call on Traore when required in just about any fixture.

RB Bacary Sagna - Had a great first season, settling faster than many expected. Shows maturity that belies his years.  He is as good as its gets in terms or premiership right-backs.

RB Justin Hoyte - Arsenal through and through, and that's why the Arsenal fans love him. Can operate anywhere across the back four, but right-back is his best position. Unfortunately, isn't good enough to play in the big fixtures and will only ever be a squad player for Arsenal.

RB Kerrea Gilbert - Gilbert showed signs that he could be a decent player during the 2005/06 campaign, but his development seems to have curtailed somewhat.  Is behind Hoyte for a defensive spot, and it seems unlikely he will remain at the club.

CB William Gallas - Heart-on-sleeve skipper, which isn't such a bad thing in my opinion. Is a good quality defender with a lot of experience, which is invaluable in a young team. Should stay skipper.

CB Kolo Toure - Toure is a model professional and crowd favorite. A Wenger special, recruited for a small fee as a right winger, now a world-class centre-back. If he stays fit, he will be a vital part of Arsenal's title challenge.

CB Philippe Senderos - Swiss centre-half has been at Arsenal for five years now and has shown signs that he could be a class player.  He tends to get bullied by physical strikers, particularly Didier Drogba.  I can't help but feel he actually isn't that suited to English football, given how well he performs at an international level.

CB Johan Djourou - Had an injury ravaged start to 2008, after being on loan at Birmingham. The young Swiss defender looks to be a star of the future, but needs to mature more to be a regular.  Johan has recently said he could fill the holding role in the Arsenal midfield. Perhaps a few pre-season run outs could decide whether he features there or not.

Mids

CM Cesc Fabregas - One of the best young players in the world.  When he is playing well, Arsenal are up and about. His goalscoring has now made his as effective as Kaka and Messi. Fabregas will play a decisive role in the quest for silverware.  

CM Gilberto - On the outer last season, the world cup winner will be looking to fight back into the side. The departure of Flamini will open the door, but his lack of pace and wayward distribution count against him in the English game.  However, I have always thought his aerial threat and professionalism is of importance to the team.

CM Abou Diaby - Highly rated by Arsene Wenger, he will continue to improve.  His athleticism and passing are impressive, but his ability to impose himself on a game consistently is not there yet. Can operate at on the left of midfield.

CM Denilson - Another highly rated youngster.  I have been impressed by this young man, but again he is like Diaby in that he isn't able to dictate a game the way more experienced players do.

CM Alex Song - Was called Arsene Wenger's worst ever signing but showed some signs he could be a player late last season, particularly against Manchester United.  Perhaps a move to centre half would be a good one, but at either CM or CB, he still has a lot of competition for a place in the team.

RW Emmanuel Eboue - Reverted from right back to right wing last season with mixed results.  Is a decent crosser but a wayward finisher and poor passer.  I would only start Eboue ahead of Walcott because he doesn't drift out of the game as much as young Theo.

RW Theo Walcott - Showing signs of becoming the player that Arsene bought him to be. Shows remarkable composure on the ball, but sometimes he struggles to get into the game and stay there.  Can also play as a striker.

LW Tomas Rosicky - Rosicky needs to fight off his leg problems to become great at Arsenal.  Is a good passer, finisher, and set piece taker but is injured too often.  When fit is really affective on the left, complementing the pace of Clichy.

Forwards

CF Emmanuel Adebayor - Showed last season that he can lead the line week in week out. Did very well to fill the void that Henry left and looked a handful every time he was on the pitch. 30 goals is a great return.

CF Robin van Persie - Another who needs to stay fit. Has matured into a quality goal scorer.  If Robin can put together a full season, he could crack 20-30 goals.  Those goals might be the difference between success and failure for Arsenal.  Needs to improve on the nine from last season.

CF Eduardo - Looked in decent form before his injury.  If he can re-emulate the form he was showing when he settles into the groove again, he could prove important.

CF Nicklas Bendtner - The young Dane looks a great prospect for the Gunners.  His heading ability has already returned a winner against Spurs and an equalizer against Liverpool.  Nine goals from 17 starts in all competitions isn't such a bad return for his first season of Premiership football.

Young guns

CB Harvard Nordtveit - Could feature in the Carling Cup.
AM Mark Randall - Player in a similar mould to a young David Bentley, could get a run on either flank.
LW Keiran Gibbs - Could feature on the left, certainly in the league cup.
CM Fran Merida - Prototype of Cesc Fabregas.  Left footed so could operate centrally or on the left.
CM Henri Lansbury - Wenger has earmarked him in the press as a potential Carling Cup youngster.
AM Nacer Barazite - Ditto
AM Jack Wilshere - Even at 17 Wenger said he could make the step up to the first team this season.
CF Carlos Vela - Likely to fight for a first team spot on the wings or up front.

Arsenal actually have a number of England youth internationals coming through. This could be handy considering the possibility of the '6+5' rule coming into play.

Arsenal's best side right now is probably—Almunia, Sagna, Clichy, Toure, Gallas(c), Eboue, Rosicky, Fabregas, Gilberto, v. Persie, Adebayor Subs—Fabianski, Senderos, Walcott, Diaby, Bendtner.

Note: Eduardo is not included because he is injured.

For Arsenal to win silverware this season, I think they need to sign a new winger to replace Hleb and a foil for Fabregas in the middle of the park.  Nasri and Yaya Toure would look a good fit, but time will tell.

By Drew Jones