Wenger in danger of doing a Clough

ONCE Arsenal’s fixtures for 2011-12 were announced, it was obvious August was going to be a difficult month. Aside from three tricky Premier League fixtures, there was the small matter of a Champions League qualifier.

In this of all pre-seasons, Arsene Wenger needed to do his business and settle his squad early. Knowing that Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri were almost certain departures, the club needed to sort out their replacements, but with 48 hours of the transfer window remaining, the only significant signing, ignoring young potential, has been Gervinho.

With senior squad members Gael Clichy and Emmanuel Eboue also sold, Arsenal have started the season with a weaker group of players than that which finished the previous campaign so disappointingly.