Arsenal transfer tips

Wenger was minimalistic with his recruits in the summer, bringing just four fresh faces to the club. The club's plight this term, which will be discussed in length in my soon-to-be-published 'Arsenal half-term report', closely correlates, in most eyes, with the dealings (or lack of) gone by. The decision to allow key and experienced members to leave raised eyebrows.

Mathieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb, Jens Lehmann and Gilberto Silva all sealed permanent moves away from the club. Wenger's so-called replacements failed to spin journalists into words on a serious title challenge ahead. Three of Wenger's four signings, meanwhile, were 21-years-old or younger.

Aaron Ramsey, just 17, arrived from Cardiff City for £5million. The Gunners secured his signature ahead of competition from Manchester United and Everton. Here Arsenal's reputation of grooming talent paid dividends. Ramsey is a fine player with serious talent. But is he what the Gunners needed?

The Wales international has impressed during his few appearances, even scoring a goal in the UEFA Champions League. The central midfielder is gutsy and possesses impressive technique at such a young age, although his mould resembles Cesc Fabregas and many argue Cesc needs a foil rather than a mirror. Ramsey will prove to be a brilliant acquisition, but not in the very near future. And it is the 'now' the fans pine for.

Amaury Bischoff was landed from Werder Bremen for an undisclosed fee, with Wenger pronouncing that the decision to bring the France-born playmaker to Emirates Stadium was a 'gamble'. Bischoff has struggled with injuries in the past, and his arrival on the treatment table seemed to make sense what with the several injury-plagued stars Arsenal already have on their books.

Bischoff, who has represented Portugal Under 21s, underwent rehabilitation in order to work his way back to fitness and has since made two appearances for the Gunners in the Carling Cup. He has impressed for the reserves and is an attack-minded player, offering the idea that he could be seen as a long-term replacement for the crocked Tomas Rosicky.

Samir Nasri has proved, by and large, to be a success. Purchased from Marseille for a fee in the region of £12million, the tricky Frenchman has delivered the goods. A right-footed player on the left, similar to that of Robert Pires, he has scored vital goals from midfield, proving far more effective than the departed Hleb.

However, Nasri's surprisingly swift adaptation to England's top flight has come at a cost via, you guessed it, injury. A spate of starts has been stirred in with setbacks, which in turn has hampered the squad with few natural options for the left flank. The youngster has been sound when available and is likely to continue to grow into his role.

Mikael Silvestre was the last through the Ashburton Grove door. A surprising capture, indeed. Condemned in certain circles as a Manchester United spare part, while tipped to be a shrewd bit of business from Wenger. The outcome has been neither really, maybe even leaning a little towards the former.

The experienced Frenchman joined for an undisclosed fee from fierce rivals United. After arriving with a lack of fitness he has filled in at centre-half in fits and starts. His displays have been mixed without setting the world alight. Silvestre does provide okay cover, but one may wonder whether investing substantially in a world-class defender might have been a better option (see more on this below).

What they need

I will recieve no Nobel Prize for telling you Arsenal need a towering centre-back and a gutsy centre midfielder. Those points have been spoken and written about to death. This is because the Gunners' weaknesses are largely obvious to most spectators. Also, many look to last season, analysing where things went right and wrong.

Like my Portsmouth 'transfer tips' it is logical to work from front to back. In goal, Arsenal have Manuel Almunia as No.1 and youngster Lukasz Fabianski as back-up. Almunia, 31, is fine. He is an alright goalkeeper. Calm (unlike Lehmann) although probably not world-class. Addressing this area, though, should be far from high on Wenger's list of priorities.

Defensively, the Gunners need much work (I write this as long ball after long ball from Liverpool finds Arsenal wanting). Wenger seems a little perplexed at his best central two when all are fit and available. Former captain William Gallas' future remains in doubt and could leave amid rumours of interest from Italy and his homeland France. Johan Djourou has partly solved the problem of aerial concern but the Swiss is still learning. They need someone rugged.

Fabregas, when he returns from injury in four month's time, needs a new Flamini. I do not mean to lambast Alexandre Song, but he is not of Cesc's level, he is not his soul mate. Flamini brought the best out of Fabregas last term and Wenger must surely be aware that the capatain is their best player. To impede Cesc's quality is like peeing on your favourite trainers. Injuries have also exposed the lack of depth out wide, and an exciting wideman could be on Arsene's mind if one becomes available.

Up front, things are good. Eduardo's return is a huge boost while there is decent competition with a solid range of experience and youth. This is largely the point I am trying to make when you look all over the park at Arsenal. Denilson, for example, will eventually be a fine player but should his role model really be a still very young Fabregas? They need quality to learn from. They need the proverbial 'experience'.

What they'll get

You will have probably noticed I have not touched on speculated targets. Wenger is impossible to second guess. Who, honestly, predicted the captures of say Eduardo or Sagna? But it is these types of signings that supporters would not begrudge: largely unknowns but with undoubted class. Regarding the rumour mill, Gervinho, Bafetimbi Gomis, Felipe Melo, Parfait Mandanda and Axel Witsel, to name but a few, have been mooted as Arsneal targets.

As mentioned in the first paragraph, Wenger is looking for 'something special' in the transfer department. Le Prof plays his cards close to his chest. He does have money at his disposal and make no bones about it, the board will back him until the cows come home should he tell them of his target(s).

Wenger's conundrum centres around his fear of impeding the youth in his side. He is all too aware of bringing someone established in and then limiting the chances of others. The argument, though, is that cream rises to the top. A blog I read not so long ago pointed out that Fabregas burst onto the scene during the days of Patrick Vieira et al - so it can be done, worry not Wenger. Barcelona enforcer Yaya Toure would probably be a good start.

What will Arsenal get? If nothing, then expect some unrest. Wenger needs to bolster - especially now following the colossal blow over Fabregas' injury, the loss of the Spaniard is devastating -and his decision not to in the summer has cost his side dear (many league defeats and counting). If he makes that mistake again he could be looking at an even stickier summer in 2009 with more than just demands of signings coming from fans and hacks alike.