Just want to comment on the youth v experience debate. i don’t think we’l see much transfer activity under wenger. He only buys if it becomes critical, therefore we will just have to wait once this squad gets older/mature enough to win trophies. Wenger will not buy ready made players who will push players like denilson onto the bench. I think Denilson is brilliant but is a work in progress.

he is the best young player i hve ever seen

From the reserves, who in your opinion, if anyone, is ready to become Song’s understudy and fill the DM role while he is on ACN duty?

I’ve held a lot of hope in Coquelin since he joined the club. He’s looked tremendous to my eyes and I’d like to see him given a shot.

I was looking forward to seeing him play in the Carling Cup this season and I really hoped he would take his chance and shine, so that Mr. Wenger couldn’t fail to notice him. So you can imagine my disappointment when the reserve team right back, Eastmond got the nod in the Carling Cup matches.

Now I admit Eastmond did well. But what happened there? Frimpong and Coquelin were competing for that position for awhile and out of the blue Eastmond suddenly appears. It makes no sense to me. Do you think Eastmond better than Coquelin and Frimpong?

I’m not a Denilson fan, and I don’t expect Mr. Wenger will purchase a decent DM in the transfer window. So I’d really like to see one of these fellows from the reserves given a chance when Song is away.

I fear players like Coquelin and Simpson, who I believe have what it takes to become Arsenal quality, won’t get a shot and will have to leave the club to further their careers. To our detriment and shame….

Rhinogooner

The point of buying kids with potential is they grow up. Parts of the team that lost to Spurs years ago went on to beat them 3-0 last month. Play without desire and passion? Is this the same team who beat Everton 6-1 and have been outscoring most teams that come to us with ease? Was there no passion when Cesc got 4 assists and 2 goals in 1 match? What about when Arshavin got 3 assists and 1 goal in 1 match? How about everytime when Vermaelan or Song look too far away and yet still pull off an inch perfect tackle from going the extra yard?

Anyone remember 2 seasons ago when Barcelona came 3rd and the public pointed at Xavi and Iniesta and said ‘they are too small, Iniesta has no passion to stay in the team’ and ‘Messi would be great if only he worked harder to stay fit but maybe he doesn’t desire it hard enough’. And then we saw these players grow a year older, a year wiser and they single handedly won everything within their grasp. ‘Well they spent a lot as well that summer’ I hear you say as if Caceres and Hleb really added… well, anything. (Dani Alves was important though, I’ll give you that, their Vermaelan so to speak ;) .)

Song excellent, but Nasri, Rosicky and Denilson still trying to come back from injuries. Buying a new midfielder would then question Ramseys future development. The combination of wing backs, with the players supposed to cover, have not adjusted to new tactic; though wing backs proved themselves consistent in previous seasons. And Edu not fully back. Bendtner is out which leaves some physique, he always tries. Arshavin needs to perform, so needs Walcott though the latter has been injured

yaniv, agree with you. Eduardo was certainly one of the best players at Arsenal before the injury, as Song says give him time, Vela has wonderful composure and close control in tight space; just look at that one shot against City how he controlled the bend and dip, the one thing that lacks with him is his physique and mentality as you say. Which strikers would fill the profile? I can only think of Villa now, but way overpriced certainly. Do not think we need a target man aka Drogba/Carew/Heskey up front

By the way, is it not said before first team and youth squads have separate transfer budgets?