Arsenal Blues ... Are We a Feeder Club?

After a rather depressing draw yesterday, Wenger announced that Alex Song was also on his way off -- to Barcelona for 15 million pounds. Unlike RvP, Song had two years left on his contract and supposedly seemed willing to stay for higher wages (he earned 55,000 a week and wanted a raise to 70). The anti-Arsenal pundits were at it immediately, claiming we are indeed a feeder club and that the fall of the house of Wenger is right around the corner. Why more abuse is heaped on this club than any other is not without merit, but certainly hard to swallow at times. One of my favorite British football pundits, Warren Barton, who now lines up for Fox Soccer in LA, is one of the leaders of the bunch, though the list is endless. But do they have a point?

The answer is clearly yes. Since 2006, Arsenal has been selling player after player after taking them from obscurity to world class status. The list is well-worn, but includes Cesc Fabergas (Cazorla could soften this blow if he keeps playing like he did yesterday), Samri Nasri (who looked wonderful today with a goal and assist), Van Persie (after spending more time on the bench than in games, he has one good year and leaves), Song (who Wenger cultivated into one of the top defensive midfielder last year) and a host of others in the recent past (Ashley Cole, Adebayoor, Anelke, etc.). Selling Song, while possibly a good move in the end, sends a bad signal to the fans and players and even Wenger looked depressed in announcing the move. But one does wonder what's in store for Arsenal moving forward. Most of the players who couldn't bring trophies to the Emirates the past seven years are now gone, replaced by others who might lack the same pedigree -- but who might bring the hunger back to the club. We looked set to snap up Sahin on loan from Madrid and I hope do a little more business in the next couple of weeks. But let's look at where we are at and what we can look forward to this year ...

In the back, Vermaelen looked solid again yesterday and Koscielny will be back soon. Mertesacker looked good as well, and should be a good backup this season, after some poor form last year. On the wings, I'm a little less sanguine. Jenkinson is not up to snuff to me, particularly going forward, and I really wish we would bring in quality cover until Sagna returns. On the other side, Gibbs looked bright at times but I still worry about him. Santos impressed at times, but like many Brazilian fullbacks, seems more intent going forward then actually defending. A fullback is a priority to me, and I hope we pick one up. I think we should also unload some of the deadwood on the bench.

In midfield, even with Song's departure, I think we are looking quite good. Cazorla was unbelievable and watch video clips of Sahin and you will see a player who more consistently gets the ball forward than Song ever did. We must remember that he played a key role for us last year playing centre-half on occasion and did assist 11 times. But he often played out of position and is certainly not as good going forward as Cazorla. Add to the mix Arteta, Wilshire (when he returns), Diaby (who showed why he does have the potential to be a key player this year), and Ramsey (who I'm afraid will never actually live up to his potential, but should be pushed toward the bench anyway). We could sign another defensive midfielder, but I'm not sure we need one. And, of course, we have Chamberlain, who might move from the wing to the hole position depending on where Cazorla plays, and provide another creative presence moving forward.

The attack is the major area of concern at present. I do believe Podolski and Giroux will settle and do well this year, but the heavy burden of replacing RvP might weigh on them early in the year. It appeared to yesterday, but there is time to adjust (though not too much). Gervinho looked like a new player yesterday, after a compelling preseason, and I look for him to be an important source of assists -- and hopeful some goals to boot. Walcott was less impressive, except for a few quality runs and a chance that I think Podolski should have pounded in. But maybe he will come good in a more consistent way this year (I hope). I still think another striker would be a smart move, particularly as we now have $39 million pounds we didn't a week ago, but the cheap option, Mirallas, is now gone so Wenger would have to splash the cash -- which seems unlikely. Rumors are Arshavin is in St. Petes and I hope that means we are finally unloading him and I would also like to see Chamakh gone as well.

The reality is we have lost too many players in recent years after cultivating them into top notch players. Too often, those players leave for our rivals. On top of this, we seem to too consistently lose out on top targets. How would last season have gone if we plucked Mata when he was available? We were only a few million pounds off and really could have used his creativity and goal threat. Or Hazard, who seemed likely until right at the end (and the mysterious Park snag that might have helped close the possibility)? In defense, I think Cahill would have been a better signing than Mertesacker and could have really helped our leaky defense. And the list goes on. Wenger's stubborness might be at the heart of the matter, but it is clear that the owners currently seem more intent on cashing in than making us winners. How long will fans put up with it? How long will the players, who seem on a mass exodus out of the club?

To finish on a positive note, I will go back to a point I made at the start. The players who have left have often found glory in their new surroundings (Fabergas and Nasri, most obviously), but why did they underperform at key moments for Arsenal? Has Wenger lost his touch or is there just too much complacency at the club and players who are not innate winners? I think the flush out could bring in a new crop of players that really want to prove the pundits wrong and really compete for trophies. It may be wishful thinking, but one hopes it comes to pass. At present, Arsenal stand on the precipice of a cliff -- by setting the bar too low, failing to reach it would be disastrous. Wenger has always qualified for the Champions League and that might be in real danger this year. If it comes to pass, Europa may beckon and the beleaguered feeling that we truly have reached the end of an era. But if Arsenal outperform this season and actually win silverware (I'd say the league is beyond them already but FA Cup and Carling/Capital One should be priorities), finish in the top four and silence the critics, maybe a rennaissance awaits ...