Arsenal Is Living On Borrowed Time

In the aftermath of the massive victory over FC Porto we Gooners have to keep things in perspective, are we deep enough to really challenge for the Premier League OR Champion's League? As we did see today we can flourish even without the benefit of our midfield maestro, Cesc Fabregas, yet can we really hope to survive the impending onslaught with our current team? Let me analyze some problem areas:

Goalkeeper: Almunia can never be trusted, even at his best he isn't quality enough to be anything more than a backup for Arsenal, precisely the position he was bought to fill. His continual flapping at crosses, below average positioning and terrible kicking skills leave him as a major liability. Unfortunately Fabianski who has been lauded as the next big thing dropped the ball in more ways than one in the 1st leg of the Porto clash and with his history of questionable goalkeeping decisions it's tough to proclaim him the starter. 

Central Defender: Gallas and Vermaelen are a pair to be reckoned with, yet our total lack of depth outside of them has left the defense relying on a 35 year old Sol Campbell as it's savior. To be fair Campbell's performance's have been grand for his age and yet how far can we really expect to progress with a 35 year old slowing centerback who not even 7 months ago was plying his trade at Notts County? Don't even get me started on Silvestre, he shouldn't even be sniffing the Arsenal 1st team, I would be more comfortable with just getting one of our highly rated prospects such as Kyle Bartley out there as out 4th choice CB instead of Silvestre who seems to hurt more than he helps.

Defensive Midfielder: Alex Song has been a revelation this season, his anchor man duties have allowed Fabregas to push up more without the fear of a counter attack tearing up Arsenal as it would've done last season when Denilson was the main DM. And yet outside of Song whose physical play always leaves the chance of a suspension due to card accumulation we have no other true DM. Denilson can do a passable imitation of one and Diaby seems to be too attacking minded to even attempt the position even though his physical tools are perfect for it. While there are some bright youngsters coming up like Craig Eastmond who can play the holding role it's not enough to let Arsenal fans remain confident without Song.

Striker: Without Van Persie who can we truly rely on for our striker role at Arsenal? True Bendtner's hat trick was a great performance but let's not forget 1 of the goals was a penalty and the other 2 were served up on a platter by Arshavin. Eduardo has been a mere shadow of his former pre injury self and his run in the first team is always sporadic. I still don't understand why Vela wasn't loaned out seeing he is getting no playing time whatsoever and he is doing us no benefit as of now.