Perennial Bridesmaids.

     I'm an Arsenal fan. It feels good to see it written down, like an admission of some dark secret. Being an Arsenal fan is like being an England fan; our aims are so high, our fans so optimistic, and yet we always fall agonisingly short. Much has been written about our failure to produce this season, and last season, and for the four seasons before that, and people are right to speculate. Arsene Wenger cuts a peculiar figure as he stalks the dugout; like a grizzled submarine captain stubbornly maintaining his convictions as his ship drags him and his young charges into an inescapable abyss. After the humiliating Carling Cup Final defeat by Birmingham City, we were promised the club would rally. After defeat by Barcelona in the Champions' League, we were promised an increased commitment to the Premier League. In reality, a familiar story played out. We faded as Manchester United rallied, both in the League and F.A Cup. We faded to such an extent that we were overhauled not only by Chelsea but by Manchester City's millionaire misfits. Wenger admitted his mistakes and promised change; backtracking a little on his hard-line philosophy and accepting the need to inject some mettle and experience into Arsenal's youthful ranks.

     As the first month of the summer transfer window draws to a close, our closest rivals have strengthened their squads while the most persistent rumours surrounding our club have concerned the departure of captain Cesc Fabregas and the influential Samir Nasri. London rivals Chelsea have acquired the services of a young coach in Andre Villas-Boas, who today unveiled an attacking philosophy would be tantamount during his time at Chelsea;  a daunting prospect when you consider his new team scored 69 goals over the 2010-2011 season. Champions Manchester United have already strengthened considerably; David De Gea looks to be a suitable long-term replacement for the veteran Van Der Sar, Ashley Young will provide options as well as competition down the flanks, and Phil Jones represents a shrewd investment in the future of English football. Factor in a world-class midfielder in the shape of Bastian Schweinsteiger or perhaps Wesley Sneijder and Ferguson has yet again assembled a truly formidable squad. Liverpool have brought in Sunderland's Jordan Henderson and are still riding high on the enthusiasm and optimism engendered by the appointment of Kenny Dalglish, and Manchester City's cheque-book is unlikely to retain its pages all summer.

     So what of Arsenal? Fabregas' departure seems imminent, and other players, tired of being counted among the perennial bridesmaids, are likely to follow. Can we cope in the league without Fabregas? His influence is inarguable. Despite making only 25 appearances in the BPL over last campaign, Cesc created 14 goals, scoring 3 more. His vision and ability to play the killer ball are unparalleled perhaps anywhere in the world, so don't doubt that he'll be missed. Fortunately for Arsenal, we have a willing replacement ready to step directly into Fabregas' talented boots. Jack Wilshere has been a revelation this year; an aggressive and skillful young player with a deft left foot and an eye for goal, it seems likely that he will be a key figure in Arsene Wenger's team for years to come. If Nasri remains, then we won't be lacking in midfield talent. Our problems lie elsewhere, and it remains to be seen whether or not Wenger will address them. The gossip columns have been consistently linking us with a number of fairly high-profile defenders since January, the most persistent of which being Blackburn's Christopher Samba and Bolton's Gary Cahill. Samba strikes me as the better bet; tall and imposing, Samba had a great 2010/11 and was a linchpin for his club's defence. It remains to be seen, with the departure of Phil Jones to Manchester United, whether Blackburn will be prepared to part with their two first-choice centre backs however. Cahill is the younger of the two, and being an Englishman will provide some much needed verbal communication to the Gunners' backline. Either would provide an encouraging partnership with Thomas Vermaelen after the disappointing debuts of Laurent Koscielny and Sebastian Squillaci, as well as providing some mettle to what is seen by many as a delicate squad.

     Little has been made of Wenger's goalkeeping conundrum, and this worries me. Granted, 20-year-old Wojciech Szczesny has been something of a revelation over the previous campaign, and Gunners fans have appreciated the dependability he has provided between the sticks. However, he's largely unproven at the kind of level Arsenal are playing at, and although talented, is not yet a number one. It seems that Wenger has finally accepted the frailties of Almunia and Fabianski and they have been bumped down the pecking order as a result, but if we intend to be challenging for silverware next season then it's at the back where Wenger needs to do most of his spending.