I have tried to analyse where our squad is short for next season, obviously the list below is rather subjective and several players can play in several positions, however acknowledging these simplifications this is how I see our potential squad taking shape:Goalkeepers: 1. Almunia 2. Fabianski 3. Mannone
Right backs: 1. Sagna 2. Hoyte
Left backs: 1. Clichy 2. Traore
Centre Backs: 1. Gallas 2. Toure 3. Senderos 4. Song 5. Djorou
Right midfield: 1. New signing. 2. Eboue
Centre Midfield: 1. Fabregas 2. Gilberto 3. Diaby 4. Denilson
Left Midfield: 1. Walcott 2. Rosicky 3. Vela
Strikers: 1. Adebayor 2. Van Persie 3. Eduardo 4. Bendtner
Young players pushing: Randall, Merida, Barazite, Gibbs, Lansbury, Nordtveit, Simpson.
Right backs: 1. Sagna 2. Hoyte
Left backs: 1. Clichy 2. Traore
Centre Backs: 1. Gallas 2. Toure 3. Senderos 4. Song 5. Djorou
Right midfield: 1. New signing. 2. Eboue
Centre Midfield: 1. Fabregas 2. Gilberto 3. Diaby 4. Denilson
Left Midfield: 1. Walcott 2. Rosicky 3. Vela
Strikers: 1. Adebayor 2. Van Persie 3. Eduardo 4. Bendtner
Young players pushing: Randall, Merida, Barazite, Gibbs, Lansbury, Nordtveit, Simpson.
I have assumed that Arsene will definitely sign a right sided midfielder because this is our weakest position in my opinion, Walcott looks much more threatening on the left while Eboue is simply not good enough to start for us there. The Nasri deal is not done yet but he appears likely to be slotted in on the right of midfield if he does sign. Undoubtedly we need to add more than just one new face, however it's not an easy balancing act to keep all of our big names happy whilst leaving sufficient space for the young talent to emerge into, but also having enough strength in depth to maintain a challenge on several fronts.
There are several unknowns that make it tricky to predict Arsene's hand, for example how likely is Rosicky to make a full recovery following surgery and where does he see the likes of Traore, Song and Djorou playing in the long term? It is almost easier to cross off our areas of strength and work out his plans by using a process of elimination. We're solid enough in goal, while the full back slots are probably one of our main strengths, we also have four very decent marksmen which is enough in anyone's book. That leaves centre back, centre midfield and the left of midfield. I see the other signings coming in these areas, but knowing Arsene I'll probably be wrong.
