I wrote some of this in the Nasri thread but I thought I'd post it here. I'd like to know what Arsenal fans think.
I have a feeling though that Wenger will not buy any more players since he has two potential XI's and some leftover players. Since it's not absolutely necessary for him to sign another player (maybe an RB if Eboue leaves, can't remember if they have another RB; I don't see him signing another central defender since it will be too expensive to get someone better than Kosc or Djorou) and this is how he usually is, I think he'll stick with the squad. He is smart enough though to sign a player in January if he needs to, and I think that's what's best for Arsenal: not sign anyone now, see what the weaknesses are in the first half of the season, and then adjust. That way if things are going well he could get a top 4 finish once again on a negative budget. Anyway, the first (starting XI):
Van Persie
Gervinho Ramsey Walcott
Song Wilshere
Gibbs Vermaelen Koscielny Sagna
Szczesny
the second:
Chamakh
Arshavin Rosicky Oxlade-Chamberlin
Frimpong Diaby
Traore Squillaci Djorou Eboue (although he's going to Turkey apparently, so another RB, can't remember who they have)
Almunia
Extras: Vela, Lansbury, Fabianski. I'm assuming Bendtner is leaving.
That's 25 players and I think these will be the 25 in the squad.
The starting XI is pretty good but the back-ups are pretty weak. If Arsenal stays healthy they will definitely be a force to reckon with, maybe even title challengers. But if they have injuries (as they always do) they won't have the depth to compete with ManU or even the likes of City and Chelsea for fourth place. I think with Wenger's managerial abilities though they will fight through the injuries and squeeze out a 4th place with respectable finishes in the other competitions. But Van Persie has to stay healthy and Chamakh has to have a solid season. If not they could slip out of the top 4. City is ridiculously loaded with talent and Liverpool should be great (had best record in the league from the time KK took over). Chelsea made some reinforcements (though not as many as I thought) and I don't see them slipping out of the top 4. Obviously ManU wouldn't with the amount of depth they have.