The transfer window has closed. It is now time to look at our squad and see do we have the required depth.
Goalkeeper – Almunia, Lehmann, Fabianski, Mannone
Right-back – Sagna, Eboue, Diarra, Hoyte, Flamini
Centre-back – Gallas, Toure, Senderos, Gilberto, Song, Sagna, Nordtveit
Left-back – Clichy, Gallas, Traore, Flamini, Hoyte
Right-midfield – Hleb, Eboue, Walcott, Denilson, Rosicky
Centre-midfield – Fabregas, Gilberto, Diaby, Diarra, Flamini, Denilson, Song
Left-midfield – Rosicky, Hleb, Da Silva, Clichy, Diaby, Gibbs
Attacker – Van Persie, Adebayor, Da Silva, Bendtner, Walcott, Hleb, Diaby
At first glance, it would look like we are well stocked in all departments. However, two positions in particular – centre-back and left midfield are relying for cover on players whose first preference is another position. Wenger is putting great emphasis on versatility but it does rely on the adaptability of these players. I have let players cover for up to three positions. Obviously there is an argument that you can’t cover for two positions but to give one example, Sagna, Eboue, Diarra, Hoyte, Fabregas, Gilberto, Diaby, Denilson and Rosicky would all have to be injured/suspended before Flamini would be needed at right-back and central midfield at the same time.
I think that there is enough in that squad to easily take us up to the January transfer window. If Nordtveit and Gibbs/Randall progress to challenge for the first-team, Djourou returns in January and we stay clear of long-term injuries, we may have enough players for the season. If they don’t happen, it seems to me that the most likely buy is still in left midfield, followed by goalkeeper (if Lehmann drops out of the reckoning) and centre-back (if Djourou doesn’t come back).
I know many of you will disagree about the strength of the squad but put those arguments out there for consideration, but please, no personal abuse of other posters.