A Favourable Dilemma for Wenger

As I strolled down Gillespie Road in a sea of Red and White, the usual feeling of excitement and expectation filled the London air, knowing that in a few minutes I would be arriving at Highbury to cheer on my beloved team play, and probably win.

As well as watching the team I have supported my entire life, I would also have the privilege of watching some of the finest players in Europe. Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires would all be gracing the impeccable Highbury turf that afternoon. This squad provided hope, because as well as the talent in the starting line-up, there was real strength in depth. As predicted, Arsenal brushed Norwich City aside that afternoon with a 4-1 win, courtesy of a brilliant Thierry Henry hat-trick.

Six years on, and seven without a trophy, Arsene Wenger possesses a squad reminiscent of that great side I witnessed at our grand old arena. This week it has been confirmed that Spain’s versatile midfielder Santi Cazorla will be an Arsenal player next season after a deal worth £15m was finalised. The Spaniard joins fellow new recruits Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud as Wenger looks to make a clear mark of intent upon his rivals.

In addition to these new faces, several players will be making returns from injury this season who were have been sorely missed. Jack Wilshere, who did not feature at all in the 2011/12 campaign has been handed an expected return date of October, whilst Abou Diaby finally looks to have overcome his persistent knee problems, experiencing a positively reassuring pre-season campaign.

Much was expected of Diaby when he signed from Auxerre, partly because of his resemblance to former skipper Patrick Vieira. In response to the rumours that Arsenal were close to signing another French prodigy Yann M’Vila, Wenger responded saying “No. We wait for Diaby. When he is fit, Diaby is the first name on the French team sheet”.

If Diaby can repay the faith shown in him, then he will have to compete with Alex Song, Mikel Arteta, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla, Francis Coquelin, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Frimpong for a place in Arsenals midfield.

Although this array of talent Wenger has to choose from is a perplexing dilemma, it is the best type of problem a manager can have. Yet, this list of candidates could grow with the probability of Nuri Sahin arriving on loan from Real Madrid.

The drought looks set to end.