After a disappointing season by Arsenal's standards, The Gunners will be looking to start fresh next season. But there is nothing to worry about. We have an extremely talented squad and I genuinely feel we will be strongly challenging for honours next season. Don't believe me? Well let me explain...
Ok, let's start with the business in the transfer window. We have sold Fabrice Muamba and brought in Polish goalkeeper, Lukasz Fabianski. It is highly likely that Jose Reyes and Julio Baptista's Arsenal futures are over as well as Mathieu Flamini who is also likely to go this summer. There is also the inevitable sale of Jeremie Aliadiere, who would have departed in January had it not been for injuries to Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie.Then we could have seen Freddie Ljungberg's last season at Arsenal. Like every gooner, I love Freddie but I think it is time to move on. He has lost that pace and is a completely different player to that of 2 or 3 years ago. So with all due respect, I think we should say goodbye to the Swede, while we can still get some money for him. Plus there are rumours going round about the possible sale of Phillipe Senderos, who has had limited chances this season. But when the Swiss international has played he has failed to impress and could also be on his way out of Ashburton Grove. Now, we also need to bring some players in. We have already captured Fabianski but I think we need that little bit extra to complete the squad. I have said all season that we need an out and out winger, but someone that can score 10+ goals as well as create them. The three main candidates for this position at Emirates Stadium are: Robinho, Ryan Babel and Franck Ribery. Now Robinho would be top of my list as he has all the qualities to make it at Arsenal. Quick, skillful, good finisher and a good creator. But the price would be a problem and I think Real Madrid would be reluctant to let him go. Perhaps use Reyes as a makeweight? But I can't see the Brazilian coming. Next up, Ryan Babel. Comparisons have been made between the young Dutchman and current Arsenal legend, Thierry Henry. Babel would be ideal but he has recently signed a new deal at Ajax, meaning that the chances of him coming are very slim. But Franck Ribery is a different story. The Frenchman is fairly likely to come to The Emirates, if Marseille don't qualify for the Champions League. He said that if his current employers don't meet his expectations, he will move on. And Arsenal seems to be the likely destination. He is good friends with Arsene Wenger and Thierry Henry and would fit in well with the rest of the lads. So I think he will be a gooner by the end of August. Now, another possible target is young Manchester City defender, Micah Richards. The Englishman is a fascinating prospect and has also stated a love for the North London club. I would love to see Richards in the famous red and white but I think the price tag will scare us off.
So, now let's look at our potential squad in detail. Mad Jens Lehmann is still a top notch keeper but his temper can get the better of him and I wouldn't be surprised if he is replaced by Fabianski later in the season. Almunia and Poom, if they stay, will get limited opportunities. I still believe our best back four is: Eboue, Toure, Gallas, Clichy. They will have a full preseason together to know eachother better and to keep out the big guns next season. Then we have Hoyte, Djourou, Connolly, Traore, Senderos if he stays and possibly even Richards. All of these are capable of filling in, so I don't think the defence is a problem.
Then we move onto the midfield. Ok, I think we need to try a new formation. We need Gilberto as the holding midfielder as he was, in my opinion, our player of the season. So important to us these days. Then ahead of him Fabregas and Rosicky. Both similar players who can do magical stuff with a ball. I feel they will score lots of goals next season, to make up for a below par total from last year. This formation I am planning will se Alex Hleb drop to the bench, but I think that is when he makes a big impact. I admire Hleb but he can be annoying when he makes the wrong decision and with no disrespect I think it is fair to say that Fabregas and Rosicky are both better players than the Belarussian. Also we have Diaby, Denilson and Song who are great prospects and will easily fit in.
And finally, the strikers. With everyone fit, we will have surely the meanest bunch of forwards in the country. Don't believe me? Well check out this list: Thierry Henry, Robin Van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Nicklas Bendtner and Theo Walcott. A lot better than that of Chelsea or United's. And I can see these five players racking up over 50 goals between them. Henry leading the line with Van Persie on the wing opposite Ribery perhaps. Then the backup of Adebayor, who will just get better and better, teenager, Nicklas Bendtner, who has a bright future and of course, Theo Walcott, dubbed "the new Henry". Well, I can't wait for next season! Come on you Gunners!
Possible Team Next Season:----------------------------------Lehmann------------------------------------
Eboue-------------------Toure----------------Gallas--------------------Clichy
-----------------------------------Gilberto------------------------------------
------------------------Fabregas--------------Rosicky------------------------
V. Persie----------------------------------------------------------------Ribery
------------------------------------Henry-------------------------------------
SUBS: Fabianski, Djourou, Diaby, Hleb, Adebayor
Well, I'm afraid it's no new players but two of Arsenal's young strikers have signed new deals at the club. The latest players to put pen to paper are Emmanuel Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner, who has recently returned from a successful loan spell at Birmingham. They join a list of players who have commited themselves to The Gunners over the last year, including Cesc Fabregas, Kolo Toure, Johan Djourou and Emmanuel Eboue. Due to Adebayor signing this new contract, the speculated interest of Manchester United and Juventus has been washed away. And the promise Bendtner has shown over the past year, has caused excitement from Arsenal fans about next season. 
