Premier League Nonsense

Finally it seems that Arsene Wenger has woken up and smelled the roses. Players like Hleb, Adebayor and Gallas left a couple of seasons ago, players I will always associate with the worst of Arsenal for their attitude as much as anything else, but this summer Wenger seems to have finally conceded his master plan for youth has been a failure and the players he built his hopes around have been exposed for what they are. Highly paid egos in shin pads.

Eboue has finally left after an incredible six years of anodyne diving and posturing. Being brought up on the likes of McNab, Nelson, Sansom and Winterburn it's fair to say Arsenal fans know a thing or two about left backs. Gael Clichy? The anonymus left back spent something like eight years with the club yet he never had fans clamouring to have his name on the back of their shirts. His limited impact on the club can be seen in the fact that when he lined up for Manchester City at White hart Lane the home support barely stirred themselves to jeer him for his Arsenal connection.

There are still some players who remain at the club, unwanted by the wider football community. Almunia was a journeyman keeper at lower level Spanish teams before Wenger inexplicably added him to a heritage that features greats like Seaman, Jennings, Wilson and Kelsey. And Squillaci remains at the club, unwanted by others, unloved by the fans.

Fabregas will be missed no doubt by the teenbopper girly support who love a pretty face but the injury prone one was always going to leave and he doesn't leave much of a legacy. More though than Nasri who offered a mere glimpse of what he could do before getting all Billy Big Bollocks.

But they're the past. The past of nightmares maybe but still the past. Better late than never, and had we won at Old Trafford last weekend would Wenger have been so busy in the transfer market, the youth first policy has been ripped to pieces and the club have engaged on what seems like an eminently sensible transfer policy.

Yes, the kids are still alright in Wenger's eyes. The signings of they hyphenated Chamberlain, the Japanese Ryo and Carl Jenkinson prove that. Gervinho brings a huge, shiny forehead and a directness Hleb and co would have repulsed at. Mertesacker? Hey, Wenger is the man who signed Stepanovs, Cygan and Squillaci! The German international cost about eight million quid. Bolton wanted double that for Cahill with his three caps and a couple of holidays in Spain!

Arteta brings flair and experience when for so long we have been used to just the flair with some promise added in for good measure.

When the big clubs give players to Arsenal then beware. Remember Gallas and Silvestre? Yossi Benayoun may well be treated with suspicion in the early days given the track record of the aforementioned duo but he is skillful and he is experienced and we need experience added to the squad so hopefully he will be a useful squad member.

Add these players to the likes of Szez, Sagna, RvP, Wilshire, Ramsey and Walcott and suddenly we have the makings of a good squad. Not Premier League winning good but an improvement on what we have had before, and who knows, if Wenger can finally push Walcott up top, as he has been promising for several years, we may well have the pace and nous to challenge seriously for a cup or two.