Yet again, we have been left foolishly hopeful that Wenger would’ve approached this summer transfer window with Drake’s advice to “play it dirty, not clean”.  As I prepare to head to Los Angeles for the last preseason match of the Arsenal US tour, I realise that we as fans are in the familiar stasis of watching the club delay on signings with a short squad only two weeks left before the start of the Premier League season.

It is the potential that is most frustrating to the supporters.  Looking back on the lineups including the likes of Almunia and Eboue are a definitive reminder that the “project” truly has been reset after the disintegration prior.  The two recent matches against RC Lens and the MLS All-Stars showed us two things;  our youth and reserves are exciting, and that Debuchy is past it.  Don’t get hung up on the latter.  For the first time in a long time, we have very little dead load and a squad that needs only specific supplemental signings to be top-class.


We’ve watched the rumors of signings come and go as they sign with their current club or others.  Surely, this was the year that Arsene would break his traditions (even a little) and obtain the talent he needs to deliver the success that we need.  Much like years prior and years to come, however, supporters are entering August disenfranchised and with exhausted fingers crossed that we will bring in even the second tier of prospects.

It’s not all doom and gloom.  One of the most noticeable positives from the summer friendlies is the path of development between the sides that have been playing.  Watch the replays for the change in tempo and precision after the older, more-experienced substitutes are brought on.  There is a visible growth in the players as they progress from the youth side, to the reserves, to the subs, to the first team.  All of our players and future prospects are talented, of course, but it is great that the club will directly benefit from effective internal development now and into the upcoming seasons.  The likes of Jeff, Iwobi, Zelalem, Willock, Bielik, Holding, and Chambers have the promise to continue to impress.

It will be very exciting to see the boys on tour.  The ingrained feeling of excitement to see the prospects playing among some of the first eleven is always a highlight.  We will have to hope for the best with injuries and that those three signings are made at all, let alone before August 13. I love this current squad and I love the Arsenal.  I am merely hoping that you do not end up reading this same post in twelve months, as Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez move on disappointed with their unnecessary underachievement during the time at the club.

• You can surely expect some updates from the friendly against Chivas de Guadalajara in LA.  Make sure to follow @GoonerInCali on Twitter and get in touch if you’re at the match or watching!
• Click here for the league codes for Fantasy Premier League!  Be sure to join, invite, and share for the inaugural Cali Classic and Head-to-Head leagues!

Finally, it’s not necessarily my cup of tea, but who doesn’t love a kit-lanch?