Last year Arsenal were caught between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Arsene Wenger did not want his best players to leave, and held on for as long as possible. But once it became clear that there was no chance of convincing them - read Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri -- to stay, the season was already well underway.
That indecision led to the Gunners' worst start in the Wenger era, where after about eight games, they found themselves near the relegation places, not to mention that humiliating 8-2 loss to arch-rivals Manchester United.
Wenger has repeatedly said this year, he will not let that happen again. Business will be completed soon and the squad made ready before the start of the season in the third week of August.
However, the manager has contradicted himself, in saying that he still wants to keep Robin Van Persie at Arsenal, despite suggesting it will be sorted out either way by August 18, the date of Arsenal's first game of the season. Unless Van Persie suddenly decides to put his heart above money - something which almost never happens with footballers nowadays - the Dutchman is not going to stay. The manager needs to understand that and sell the player to the highest bidder, preferably to a team outside the Premier League and move on.
The Gunners also have plenty of other players on the selling block that seem to be stuck at the Emirates. Nicklas Bendtner, Andrey Arshavin, Park Ju-Young, Sebastian Squilacci, Marouane Chamakh, Lukasz Fabianski, to name just a few. If Arsenal are serious about being title contenders, and still want to adhere to the self-sustenance policy, the best way to make funds is by selling the unwanted players, and clearing them of an unreasonably large wage bill.
Wenger no doubt has targets in his mind, Santi Cazorla probably being the prime one. It is understood, the manager also has not given up entirely on signing Yann M'Vila, with the Gunners also linked with the likes of Nuri Sahin and Ganso. There might also be an experienced goalkeeper, to give Wojciech Szczesny competition, on his radar.
The key to getting a settled side, capable of playing the Arsenal way, is to incorporate them into the team as soon as possible. Therefore, the signings need to be brought in as soon as possible. Cazorla, undoubtedly, will be a great addition. Arsenal desperately lacked a playmaker capable of creating chances as well as getting goals last year, and the Spanish international has both the skill and the temperament to succeed at the Emirates.
The Theo Walcott contract situation also needs to be sorted out. The last thing that the Gunners fans want is another drama on lines with the Fabregas, Nasri and Van Persie situations. However, knowing Walcott, whatever happens, it will be done quietly, and it is understood the winger wants to stay, with the final round of contract negotiations scheduled to take place soon.
Arsene Wenger is a master at pulling the rabbit out of the hat, making signings out of the blue, players that can turn into superstars. However, that mastery in the transfer market has waned a little, no doubt because he has been more pre-occupied with dealing with the contract rebels and players wanting out. Let the Van Persie saga be thrashed out by the executives, Wenger needs to put his sole concentration on the players needed to improve Arsenal and the next superstar waiting to become a legendary figure at the famous club.
