Life without Cesc looks bleak

IF this first game since the formal departure of Cesc Fabregas is anything to go by, Arsenal are going to have a long hard season unless Arsene Wenger makes some serious investments.

True, Arsenal won the first leg of their Champions League qualifier, but the manner of victory over relatively modest opposition was far from convincing, and one goal is a slender lead to take to Italy next week.

Failing to qualify for the Champions League proper would be a disaster for a club that has lost its best player and is about to lose another, if Samir Nasri joins Manchester City as expected.