ARSENAL
CURRENT MOOD
Miserable. Public restlessness of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, coupled with Wenger’s reluctance to spend, has created an atmosphere of pessimism unknown in the Frenchman’s reign.
TRANSFERS
IN: Gervinho (right) (Lille), Carl Jenkinson (Charlton), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Southampton); OUT: Gael Clichy (Manchester City), Denilson (Sao Paulo, loan), Tom Cruise (released), Mark Randall (Chesterfield), Wellington (Levante, loan), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Ipswich)
FORM
Last season: 4th
Last trophy: FA Cup, 2005
FIRST FIVE FIXTURES
13 Aug, Newcastle (A); 20 Aug, Liver-pool (H); 28 Aug, Man Utd (A); 10 Sep, Swansea (H); 17 Sep, Blackburn (A)
BEST CASE scenario
A title challenge, cash boost from reaching Champions League group stages, avoiding Barcelona, improvement in set-piece defending – alright, perhaps we’re going too far now.
WORST CASE
Missing out on Champions League groups, being muscled out of top four, potentially even by hated neighbours Tottenham – all would severely test board’s faith in Wenger.
TREVOR STEVEN’S VERDICT
Gervinho looks good but Arsenal are not complete yet, they are not a unit. While I rate Szczesny doubts remain over the goalkeeper situation, there are major problems at the back and without Fabregas and Nasri it’ll be a battle to stay in the top four.