Is it time for Arsene Wenger to put his money where his mouth is?

‘We are still working on improving our squad but we have a basis of young players who are getting a chance here – players who started in the Premier League like Wojciech Szczesny, Carl Jenkinson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jack Wilshere, and Theo Walcott.

‘No-one else has done that.  Look at our competitors.  Who has started for them in the Premier Leauge in the last 10 years?

‘I believe all of those players have a special bond and are on the way up.  They will be better next year and that’s why I’m confident we will be stronger next season’.

It sounds decidedly and ominously familiar.  The ‘big summer’ promised by Ivan Gazidis, – Chief Executive at the Emirates – and which has seen Arsenal strongly linked with Wayne Rooney and Gonzalo Higuain, as well as Suarez, is in serious danger of drifting along to its accustomed conclusion – with just one exception.

The Gunners are unlikely to lose a key player.  That, though, owes much to the dwindling number of desirable talent in the ranks – footballers who might induce the type of astronomical bids accepted for Van Persie et al.

Many of Europe’s elite clubs would welcome Jack Wilshere, but the gifted 21 year-old’s troubling track record with injuries will inspire caution among prospective buyers.  If the midfielder can consign his fitness worries to the past, it will take a significant upsurge in fortunes at Arsenal to keep even their committed boyhood fan from the clutches of a traditional English or continental heavyweight.

Santi Cazorla proved a wonderfully skillful addition during a first term in English football upon his 2012 arrival from Malaga.  He is not a player, however, with the drive and stature to take a game to his opposition – a common trait among the neat but delicate individuals often favoured by his French boss.  For the Spaniard to consistently wield an influence befitting of his ability, he requires the assistance of more powerful colleagues.

Of the fledglings alluded to by Wenger, Szczesny’s form dipped last season to the extent that he was replaced in goal by the erratic Lukasz Fabianski.  The manager is believed to want a new ‘keeper, and since Napoli brought in Jose Reina on a year-long loan, Arsenal would seem to have a free run at landing Julio Cesar from Queens Park Rangers.  The only barrier is the Brazilian Number 1’s wage demands.  Again, we’ve seen this myopia before.

Jenkinson, despite a series of terrific displays in Bacary Sagna’s absence early in the last campaign, was jettisoned when the Frenchman regained full-health.  Ramsey and Walcott’s development has stagnated alarmingly.

If Oxlade-Chamberlain is not afforded the minutes on the pitch which his exciting promise deserves, a teenager who impressed enough during his debut Arsenal season to win a berth in Roy Hodgson’s England squad at the 2012 European Championships will rapidly find himself going backwards.

Correspondingly, if Wenger’s steadfast intransigence concerning a good deal of his inward trading holds firm and, furthermore, he is forced to listen to supposed allies detracting from the possibility of a successful outcome to more grandiose plans, his club will soon be operating in reverse gear.

Tottenham will be sniffing blood.  The Lilywhites may stand on the precipice of losing a major player, but their recent recruitment – to add to the accomplished group in place – has been decisive and intelligent.

Manchester City’s business has sent them soaring away and out of Arsenal’s sight.  Indeed, if City were previously a speck on the horizon, they are now over the hill and existing in an entirely different sphere.

The same is true of Manchester United and Chelsea, even allowing for the former’s own sluggish transfer dealing.

There is the genuine prospect that the Premier League, which it is widely agreed was of an ordinary standard last year, will enjoy a hike in quality this time out.  It isn’t only the aforementioned elite band of clubs making a concerted effort to improve their playing staff.

Aspirational outfits such as Southampton, Norwich City, and Aston Villa have spent wisely.  These are the teams upon whom Wenger’s men could formerly adopt the position of flat-track bully, and consequently build the point base to cling onto their cash-spinning European involvement.

Even that Champions League ‘prize’ comes with serious peril attached – the annual play-off that must be overcome in order to participate in the big money round group stages.

Arsenal’s top bracket status is hanging by a thread.  If Wenger is to negotiate the tightrope he is set to walk, he will need all the friends he can get.  The manager’s early summer declaration that he is willing to spend like never before must be confirmed by deed.  Over to you Mr Wenger.

Follow me on Twitter @mcnamara_sport

Please follow @ThePerfectPass for more football related action!

ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.