Growing up, the Arsenal I knew was a successful, cup winning, and league title challenging team of Invincibles.
By the time I’d reached the ripe old age of 18 and football banter at school had transfigured to insightful discussions at the pub, Arsenal were well in to their 8-year baron run.
I could not boast of the silverware we held in our trophy cabinet and to any Gooner who has been in the same situation, attempting to justify and explain the reasons behind our slump to other fans proves to be a fruitless exercise.
You are all aware of the stadium costs that are, as far as we know, the reason for our tight budgets and penny-pinching. I am also sure you do not need reminding of the players we have lost due to these apparent restrictions.
However, not long ago, Gary Lineker took to Twitter to express an observation of his that he associated with Arsenal: “My timeline is dominated these days by the demise of Arsenal. Club success goes in cycles, the tough times make the good times better.”
Following the victory over Newcastle on the last game of the season to secure fourth place, and to yet again constrain Spurs to the misery of Thursday night football, Gary Neville also pointed out that now is the time for Arsenal to start pushing for trophies again.
The stadium debt is thought to be largely paid off, so this may well be a new era for Arsenal. Of course, a large factor in deciding the success of next season is what business Mr. Wenger conducts this summer.
Quite amazingly, I was browsing Arsenal tweets on Twitter the other day and found a number of people calling for Wenger’s head, because despite only being three days in to the transfer window, we haven’t yet signed Higuain, Fellaini and Cesar. Madness.
Prize for the most ridiculous tweet though, went to the individual who claimed: “If Wenger signs Rooney instead of Higuain, he should be sacked.” I would love to be able to comprehend that particular comment, but I’m at a loss.
Yes, us Arsenal fans deserve some good signings and maybe signings such as this man will allow us to feel realistically optimistic before the start of the 2013/14 season. But let us not forget that signing international superstars such as Gonzalo Higuain is not something that can be achieved overnight.
There are bound to be other teams interested in signing available, big name players. So don’t think business in the transfer market is similar to a quick trip to the corner shop, it’s a war.
It should also be noted that if we want to be put back in to contention for titles again, rushing to sign three, four or five players within the opening few days of the transfer window would be foolish.
Arsène will be casting his omniscient eye over the entire battlefield and carefully calculating when to attack, he is not hiding in the trenches.
The time to judge Arsenal’s dealings in the window will be the second the clock ticks over the deadline, then it is up to you to scrutinise whether or not a new era has begun.