A Springboard for Greater Things

Yet, with that weight now off Arsène Wenger's shoulders and the critics having lost their main source of ammunition, the need for a transfer window that not only matches that of the other big clubs, but that fills the void currently between Arsenal and the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea.

Consider this, Chelsea sign Diego Costa and one or two other squad/first teamers to solidify and strengthen their already existing quality whilst Manchester City keep Sergio Agüero fit for a whole season and perhaps sign a centre back to partner Vincent Kompany on a full time basis. There will be a gulf in class. Even the most optimistic of Arsenal fans would struggle to deny it. Quality replacements for the outgoing Bacary Sagna, Lukasz Fabianski and perhaps Thomas Vermaelen are a necessity and two or three world class, proven, first team additions is all that will be enough for Arsenal to even think about the league title. Otherwise, and it pains me to say it but, the away from home thrashings against the big clubs this season may not be a thing of the past and the inevitable return of Manchester United could even see Arsenal pushed for fourth place.

This is all hypothetical, worst case scenario stuff though. What should happen is that Wenger uses the FA Cup as incentive to incoming players (evidence that the club is a major player again) whilst allowing it to motivate himself to further prove everyone wrong, show that he still has the intelligence and the prowess in the transfer market to lead Arsenal into a new Emirates era.

Many times Wenger has been quoted as saying that these last nine years may be the most important period in the history of Arsenal FC. The need for austerity, discipline and sacrifice over the last nine years is poised to be vindicated in the sweetest way possible. In fact, whilst this might sound really hysterical (and probably is), it is not entirely impossible that the the new stadium, the new finances, the state of the art youth training facilities and the current relatively young crop of players may have the potential to begin a new era of completely unexpected dominance. Granted, with the finances of City and United it is unlikely that any club will be given the same leeway to 'dominate' in the same way that former United and Liverpool teams were able to, but with Financial Fair play finally starting to show its teeth and United unlikely to return to the 'glory days' of the Fergie years for a while yet - the task for any manager there is simply too large, who could honestly deny that Arsenal are as well poised as any club at the moment to become a serious threat in not only English but world football.

Yes, this is incredibly optimistic, maybe unrealistic. But it is not impossible. And there is hope (if nothing else) that this cup may be the springboard for much, much greater things. With a winning mentality, the bane of the stadium debt gone and commercial revenues at a previously uncharted level the future could be incredibly bright indeed.

@natshaughnessy8Tell us what you think! If you agree, or have a different view, please leave a comment in the comments section or why not write a response or your own article on YouWrite?

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