Last season ended poorly for the Gunners and Marouane. Fading down the stretch has become a hallmark for the once-unbeatable Arsenal. Manchester United ran away with the title toward the end of the season, proving once again to Arsene Wenger, that you can't rely on youth alone.
Arsene has promised the Gunner faithful for too many seasons now that he will buy buy buy in the transfer market. Just last week he said that a player of "super quality" would be arriving soon...who is this player? Nobody knows. But one thing the fans know is that by the time the first match is played this weekend, two of the Gunners should be well on their way to different clubs.
Cesc has been a wantaway for several seasons now and it comes as no surprise that he engineered a move once again this summer. It seems that Wenger has his hands tied at this point because his "captain" (in name only) wants to return to Barcelona where he can sit on the bench collecting splinters until Xavi and Iniesta feel tired in the 85' and want to be subbed off...
Arsenal has no leverage with Cesc at all. He hasn't produced for the club and has been a serial crock for the last two seasons. No trophies (last year's Emirate's Cup doesn't count). Dumped out of the Champions League (albeit by a cheating/diving Barcelona). Losing the Carling Cup final to Birmingham (a team that was relegated at the end of the season). It's not like Cesc is Cristiano and has won every trophy there is to win, personally and collectively. At this point...Cesc has been discounted, I'm sure.
Nasri is another who is on his way out. Marouane confirmed this in an interview with l'Equipe the other day. His destination seems to be Man Poo, even though he/Arsenal turned down a chance to sell him to Manchester United. You can be certain that the owners of Middle Eastlands splashed more cash (their modus operandi) prompting Wenger to acquiesce.
So what is the problem? Teams sell players every year.
The problem is...who is Wenger going to get to replace these two?
I would hate to think that Wenger is thinking of dropping Marouane back behind van Persie to fill in for Cesc. Hopefully that won't happen, but I'm not sure when Marouane will get playing time.
My prediction? Arsenal 5th in the standings
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