A week left

It is more than a little concerning that there are only seven days left before the competitive start to the season. We have a big problem in the goalkeeping position, Fabianski is not good enough, Almunia has not been playing and is Szczesny ready for a game as big as Anfield?

We are desperately short at the back both in terms of centre back numbers, but the Legia game has also shown that our defense is not yet an organised unit, obviously it will take time for the centre backs to build their partnership up. The fact that the midfield of Rosicky, Wilshere and Frimpong was overrun so easily is also a big concern, this also left the back four rather vulnerable to attacks. Nasri, Chamakh, Eboue, Gibbs, JET and Szczesny are the only players who can come out of the game with much credit.

I agree with Gunnerblog's overall assessment and with just a week to go, this is not just a pre season game that can be brushed under the carpet, we need to learn some big lessons fast. Walcott was so peripheral and so casual with possession, surely Eboue has done enough to displace Theo from the team next week. Then there are so many players missing including Song, RVP, Cesc, Diaby, Arshavin and Denilson; few of these lads are going to be fit enough for Anfield.

Goodplaya reads into a few of Cesc's quotes and makes a really good point for me, is our current squad good enough to make a genuine challenge for the title? I think the answer to that even without yesterday's game is a No, with yesterday's game it becomes a more resounding No.

We still badly need a goalkeeper and a commanding central defender. At the moment the team for Anfield is looking something like: Szczesny; Sagna, Koscielny, Vermaelen, Clichy; Wilshere, Frimpong, Gibbs, Nasri; Eboue, Chamakh, Nasri. Am I wrong to be more than a little concerned?

ps I notice the club have left these comments from Bacary Sagna on the club's website. Personally I am not impressed, the player Bacary talks of is not an Arsenal player and is under contract at Montpellier. The club should not be releasing this kind of statement in my opinion, it is all very smelly given what Barcelona did regarding Cesc.