Arsenal: Time To Walk The Talk

Arsenal have had an excellent pre-season, with many of the fledgling and fringe players being involved along with the first-team squad. They have won the Emirates Cup and now it is time to win some major trophies.

Arsene Wenger has built this team right from scratch, at the same time ensuring that Arsenal does not lose its status as one of the regular big teams in the Champions League. It is imperative for this young team to pay Wenger back by winning a title this year.

Wenger has defended his team and has shouldered much of the blame of not winning a trophy for the last five years. He has always given his backing to these young Gunners, who do have a lot of quality. We can see quality all over the Arsenal side (except perhaps the goalkeeping slot) but they lack the consistency over the season.

Arsenal's talisman Cesc Fabregas has been at the centre of a protracted transfer saga involving his move to Barcelona but he is now back at the Emirates and is expected to lead Arsenal at Anfield on August 15. His presence within Arsenal should give his team mates a huge boost ahead of the season.

Many of the Gunners have made positive comments before the start of the season. Though it is important to be confident, they must be determined to silence their detractors. Every quality young talent in the squad must choose between being a great Arsenal legend like Henry or Viera or just another Gunner.

Theo Walcott has recently stated that Arsenal fans will get to see what he is capable of. Everyone knows that Walcott does have it in him to produce some dazzling performances. His consistency and his "football brain" has been in scrutiny for some time now. But if he can be consistent for the better part of the season, Arsenal will have a potential Match-winner in their line-up. He knows now that being a super-sub is no longer enough for a player of his pace and potential.

Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott were snubbed by their respective national teams for the World Championship. They will try hard to prove that their teams did make a mistake by omitting them. Both of them will be fresh, fit and raring to go. They have both been sharp in pre-season and will look to carry their form into the season, when the real tests begin.

Andrei Arshavin has been quietly confident regarding Arsenal's title chances. Apart from questioning Manchester City's title credentials, he has not really been critical in his statements. Even if Arsenal do not make any further signings, he must only concentrate on inspiring Arsenal to the title.

Tomas Rosicky has spoken to the media on his aspirations of breaking the club’s long title drought. He has been dogged by injuries and looks to put his injury worries behind him. He has been linked with a move away from Arsenal in the summer, but it looks unlikely that he will. He has got the calibre to be a game-changer and Arsenal fans will hope that his magic can lead Arsenal to the trophies, which these young Gunners and millions of fans crave for.

Denilson, who has endured a lot of flak from Arsenal fans regarding his performances last season, has hit back at Barcelona's dirty tactics to lure Fabregas to Camp Nou. He will hope that he will enjoy a good injury-free season. He is a silent performer for Arsenal and has shown immense potential in the past.

Thomas Vermaelen has been impressed by Arsenal's youngsters and new players as he looks forward to his second season at the club. Vermaelen was outstanding, last season, but he has said that he does want to take his game to new heights. It is important that Vermaelen establishes a good partnership with Laurent Koscielny, Arsenal's new signing, at the heart of defence.

Arsenal's new signings, Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh, have already been liked by the fans and will look to make an impact this season. They have got the quality to make a difference and will look to establish their places in the starting line-up. Both Chamakh and Koscielny are not short of talent and quality, but they need to gel with the Arsenal style of playing.

This Arsenal side has been affected by injuries in the past and it could be no different this season as well. Alex Song, Abou Diaby and Denilson have been troubled by nagging niggles and injuries and have not played their part in pre-season training. Last year, Arsenal were inflicted by long term injuries to some of their key players like Robin Van Persie, Aaron Ramsey and William Gallas and did not have quality replacements to play in their roles.

This season could see the likes of Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs, Emmanuel Frimpong and Havard Nordtveit be promoted to the first team. They have all got a lot of talent and have to convince Wenger of a place in the first team squad. Wilshere and Frimpong looked impressive in the Emirates Cup while Gibbs performed admirably at left-back in many of the pre-season games. Nordtveit is a versatile, defensive player who can play in a lot of positions and had loan experience in the Bundesliga, last season.

It is inevitable that the team will have a few weaknesses this season but they will do well to minimize their flaws and produce consistent performers. No longer will injuries to key players be accepted as a reason for Arsenal's ineptitude in challenging for the title.

Arsenal do have the capability to do well over the season, which may well be the farewell season of their fabulous captain, Fabregas. It is time for players to realise their vast potential and stand up to be counted among Arsenal greats.

Under the astute stewardship of Wenger, it is time for the Gunners to walk the talk by breaking their title drought.