Predictions of doom and gloom at Emirates are somewhat premature says skysports.com's James Dall.
Predictions of doom and gloom are somewhat premature
Talk of a crisis at Arsenal football club beggars belief. Force-fed by the hacks of Fleet Street, the scaremongering is an overreaction that would flush even the cheeks of William Gallas in the wake of his St Andrew sit-in.
A similar sequence of events took place around this time last summer. The curtain fell on Thierry Henry's illustrious career as he completed his £16million transfer to Barcelona. Lashings of misery and despair were predicted for Emirates Stadium.
Onlookers are now witnessing a comparable déjà vu with Mathieu Flamini, Jens Lehmann, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva's exits met by 2007's provocation - provocation that served only to rattle Arsene Wenger's squad into action a year ago.
Expectations had been pounded so low that Wenger's legion bit back with vitriol before frontrunner unfamiliarity saw their campaign melt away. The press escaped without eating their own tainted words.
However, on closer inspection, the current pre-season similarity appears unfounded. Henry's loss warranted a tightening in the chest, for his 226 goals in 370 appearances left a gaping hole that offered questions but, initially, few answers.
Yet apprehension is misplaced this time around. Lehmann and Gilberto's times had come, Flamini's loss was unfortunate, but he had shone for just a single season, while Hleb's crescendo lasted for three years without ever really delivering the grand finale.
Trepidation
Deep down, the majority of Gunners fans know that all this doom-mongering is premature. Fears over further arrivals, with three weeks of the transfer window remaining, are irrational. Wenger has already revealed he is in the market for another addition.
The Frenchman's record and charm in North London have so far afforded him the absence of pressure. How many other top European club managers could go three seasons without silverware and not have their positions called into question?
There are, however, whispers circulating that the time has come for deliverance. Whether it be a Carling or European Cup, the shelves of the trophy cabinet at Ashburton Grove yearn to feel the welcome weight of glory.
At his disposal, Wenger's squad has genuine talent but is parched of experience. His first-choice goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, neither spectacular nor dire, is left in the shadows when mentioned in the same breath as the likes of Edwin van der Sar or Petr Cech.
Lukasz Fabianski, 23, will provide youthful cover and ultimately play his role in the domestic cups, meaning an addition between the sticks is unlikely and unnecessary when taking into account the other areas of greater weakness.
Arsenal boast quality at both left and right-back following the astute acquisition of Bacary Sagna last July and the growing stature of Gael Clichy. Their defensive spine, however, could be cause for concern, with Gallas looking increasingly out-of-sorts.
The Frenchman's role as captain is the subject of heated debate. An eyeing-opening demonstration of petulance at Birmingham City has led to unsettling questions over whether the responsibility is too heavy a burden for the former Chelsea man to bear.
Too often in 2007/08, Kolo Toure's relationship with defensive partner Gallas resembled more Kerry Katona and the artist formerly known as Brian from Westlife than Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, while Philippe Senderos' bus-like turning circle, Johan Djourou's rawness and Alexandre Song's uncertain positional sense spell out an easily identifiable fragility for an opponent.
Spanish linchpin
Cesc Fabregas is the jewel in the crown, and Wenger's primary task should be to identify a new and worthy partner in crime (Amaury Bischoff does not seem to fit the bill). Abou Diaby has been tipped to make the step up after injuries hampered his development, while Denilson and new boy Aaron Ramsey offer cultured complements.
Recent seasons have seen the Gunners struggle for width, although the proposition of Theo Walcott, instead of the infuriatingly unproductive Emmanuel Eboue, and summer signing Samir Nasri occupying the flanks casts a refreshing glow on Arsenal's attacking prowess.
Up front, Carlos Vela, with work permit now in hand, is an exciting talent and could be this term's surprise package, Nicklas Bendtner will have learned much over the past 12 months and Robin van Persie, like midfielder Tomas Rosicky, will have everything crossed (but not too tightly) for an injury-free season.
Emmanuel Adebayor has it all to do again with regards to winning over the supporters following his absurd public U-turn on his future in June, while clinical striker Eduardo's return later this year will hand the club a welcome boost.
All in all, if Wenger gets it right in the transfer market, and he invariably does, Arsenal should push for the Premier League title. However, failure to do so would see sceptical scribes hit the keyboard to paint yet another picture of underachievement at Emirates Stadium, and, this time round, their words may hold shards of truth.
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