Will Arsenal first-team regulars be sacrificed for the new signings coming in?

Now most fans seem to want a new keeper, centre back, defensive midfielder, creative midfielder/winger and at least one striker. If we did add 4 signings this summer that would take us to 24 genuine first teamers, not including any of the obvious so-called ‘deadwood.’

Now given that I personally feel I have proved beyond any doubt, using the squads of the last 4 Premiership champions, that 17 or 18 is the likely number of regularly used players, something had to give. This may all seem rather simplistic but we will not use more than 18, max 19 players in 2013/14 in our attempts to win the league, FA Cup and ECL.

So I would argue that whilst most fans are screaming for big money, big name stars to have and instant impact, just understand the implications. Please don’t be under the illusion that some players that we are all fond off can still be part of the plans. For example, if we sign a defensive midfielder such as Fellaini, Arteta will not play. You may say he will be pushed forward and perhaps he will but then one of Ramsey or Wilshere may not play. Of course, it is a squad game and we will need many midfielders over the season, but even with a 3 man centre midfield, 6 is enough. The harsh reality therefore is that Diaby and Rosciky will not play should we have a CM addition. I am not saying this is a problem but please don’t believe that all the players who dragged us to fourth, such as Arteta and Rosicky, would still have major roles to play.

Similarly in attack, if we invest in a new striker, which I am sure we will, and retain our current shape, Giroud will not play. In the same way as a returning RVP ruined a then free-scoring Chamakh, the arrival of a Higuain or similar threatens similar for Giroud. Again, I am not suggesting we should not do it but the implications are profound and need to be acknowledged. If we have a new striker and Cazorla stays on the left we will have both Podolski and Giroud on the bench. One international centre forward on the bench is feasible but two I would suggest is tricky and disruptive. Many will say that United and City have 4 top strikers but I reiterate that both sides play with a 2 striker system, which Arsenal do not. Even if we return to the formation that drove Wenger’s success, as I hinted in the introduction, that brings Theo into play as well. (As an aside, I am convinced a fully fit second season Podolski has a huge role to play.)

So in summary the implications of this summer are way beyond casting of the deadwood and spending big. Losing those who were not near the first team last season or on loan is in itself not straight forward as we have seen until now with the ‘Great Dane,’ Chammy and Djourou still firmly on the wage bill. If we bring in 3 outfield additions who are starters, as I believe we will, that means that 3 of those who featured regularly last season also need to move aside, and some who featured heavily will play less.

If we strengthen where Wenger has suggested, then 3 or 4 of these players from the regulars list will be definite surplus – Gervinho, Diaby, Rosicky and even Vermaelen and Arteta, Captain and Vice Captain. Many won’t cry over The Ivorian and he is marketable and many will not shed a tear over the exit of Diaby. However, I suspect many will balk at the idea of Arteta not featuring. However if a Fellaini or equivalent did arrive, the he will play and he will play where Mikel played. If Wenger perseveres with Wilshere at CAM, Arteta and Ramsey can share the role alongside the DM but what if Wenger also buys a Cesc, or equivalent?

We know that he will press on with his core of young Brits so depending on who arrives, I suggest Coquelin, Gervinho, Rosicky and Diaby will miss out and Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski and Giroud will see far less football than they did in 2012/13. As a sentimentalist who gets too attached to long serving players, I need to come to terms with this and I am doing so but I just think too many don’t think beyond the exciting headlines.

It is not a case of be careful what you wish for, because we need to add quality to a squad that finished like challengers. It is however a case of understand what you wish for!