Arsene Wenger intends to follow his tried and trusted pre-season campaign - but knows Arsenal must not get off to another slow start if they are to mount a challenge for the Barclays Premier League title.
There are expected to be one or two new faces, and perhaps not some of the old ones, when the Gunners squad reassemble at London Colney on July 6. A club of Arsenal's stature and global brand would always find welcome hosts for what could be a lucrative foreign trip in the build-up to the 2009-10 campaign, which starts on August 15 and will roll on to the World Cup in South Africa.
Wenger, though, prefers to focus on finalising the team's preparations at a secluded Austrian training camp before returning home to the Emirates Cup on August 1/2, set to also feature Scottish champions Rangers. However, there is also the small matter of a Champions League qualifier to safely negotiate.
Next season that comes after the opening round of domestic fixtures and will see Arsenal among one of the seeded 'best-placed' teams, but who could yet face Shakhtar Donetsk, Sporting Lisbon, Celtic or even Steve McClaren's FC Twente, whom they beat en route to the group stages last year.
Wenger accepts Arsenal cannot afford another slow start, when five defeats from the first 14 games all but ended their title bid before it had a chance to get going.
"We will have the same structure as normal to pre-season this summer," insisted the Arsenal manager, whose start their preparations for the new campaign on July 18 with the now traditional trip to Barnet. "We will have progressive training and the training camp in Austria and then the Emirates Cup as usual, then we want to be ready to start the new season."
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There are some players at Arsenal that are not good enough and never will be.However nice Arsene wants to be seen to be,he, and we, must decide whether the Arsenal are a family club or have ruthless ambitions. Remember life at the top is and must be a struggle. Is Arsenal PLC ready for that struggle?
For all these years i have supported Arsenal but feel disappointed at this juncture. I feel for the Kenyan fan who died. Wenger fears big names which makes sense. However there are teams that have gone into relegation yet they have good defenders. Let him shop for 2 or 3 to help Toure and Djourou who are always overpowered by fleet footed strikers like Agbonalahor whom Galas knows very well. Again there is need for 2 deadly strikers whose name is feared by the defenders whenever they have the ball. Please Arsene Wenger, don't dissapoint our loyalty to the gunners next season.
Josh from Nairobi Kenya
I strongly believe that Arsenal will make next season, but, i enplore arsen wenger to
buy two more strong strikers,incase of injury.
Mohammed Ibrahim
Abuja Nigeria
I think Arsenal need to buy more strong middlefield and more powerful striker
Calling all gunners fans, we need to be patient with our team. I was frustrated last season but i have complete faith in arsene wenger, the future is bright for us. Hopefully 2010 will be our year. UP THE ARSENAL, Gooner4life. Peace
we could have a great year if we can keep are players together
what if we managed to keep flamini and hleb ?
as well as like everyone is saying get a cb and d mid and avoid injuries
alot of are young players we used more then planned this year
because of injuries
but thats only gonna benefit us in the long run
and it will be great having ashavin available for the champions league
Abba Mai Adda (3) To win the Super Cup, you have to win something first...
Last season we had potential, but at crucial times looked out muscled. Remember all those 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 year olds are wiser and stronger a year.
On the other hand Chelsea have the other extreme Drogba, Anelka, Lampard, Ballack, Belletti, Deco, Carvalho, Cole, Cole, Terry, Ferriera, Malouda all legends but 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 years of age. Can you expect them to improve I doubt it.
Wenger has the right long term strategy for me. The alternative is loads of debt in order to compete. Over a period of time when attacking players like Rosicky Eduardo Fab and Walcott had long stretches out. Wenger felt he had to get reinforcements in those areas hence the signing of Nasri then AA.
Now Arsenal have experience and loads of potential going forward. In the summer I am sure Wenger will focus on strengthening our weakest areas central defense and lack of steel in midfield.
Add to that the likes of Wilshere, Ramsey, Gibbs, Troare, Vela, Coquelin, Frimpong, Emmanuel-Thomas, Nordtvid knocking on the door. Reinforcing improving players like Walcott Nasri Song Dennilson Djourou and Fab. And I think the future is bright.
Errrrrr Mr Venger......yes I ment to say Venger do u think we dont know this already? tell this to the players after feeding & nappy change time! feckin Kids!
it is bad to visit this site after five days and the same articles and nothing new. does that mean arsenal is not getting into the summer transfer window
In Arsene we trust 50 years a gunner and proud not a bad season overall so no bright ware !but hey the legend rolls on how many years have we been in the top flight of football Oh yeh over 130 more than anyone with tins to polish?
Arsenal need to buy a centre-half, a midfielder and a striker.
I would go for Micah Richards of Manchester City, Gareth Barry and John Carew both of Aston Villa.
It is disappointing to not win honours this season, but it isn't the end of the world.
I predict we will win the League title and to even win the Champions League trophy for the first time, despite we almost did it against Barcelona and threw it away.
I am sure that we will bounce back without any fear whatsoever.
MR WENGER SHOULD BRING IN HANGELAND AS HE IS SUPER DIFENDER AND DAVID TREZEGUET..
gunners4life
arsenal need to start winning trophies man since 2005
common arsene man make us proud
By the Grace of ALLAh Arsenal should win all majority competitions next season included EPL FA UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SUPER CUP exluded CARLING CUP is for Man Utd because their have been trophyless next sa
always making all sort of noise, go and open a football school since u believe in kids football
I was the football ride to they to this the that thing hug alex fierty
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