Arsenal's Young Guns Shoot for Glory

Arsenal's Young Guns Shoot for Glory Soccer: Arsenal 2 - 1 Paris Saint-Germain: Arsene Wenger hinted that he will add to his squad after his young side's narrow pre-season victory.

This time last year a 60,000 crowd rolled up to the Emirates Stadium for the first time to see the brave new world Arsenal's new home was built for. The occasion was mixed with nostalgia - coinciding with Dennis Bergkamp's testimonial, it was sprinkled with stardust as heroes from a golden age under Arsene Wenger took to the pitch.

Everybody whooped as members of the vintage back four were introduced. There were lumps in the throat to see Patrick Vieira again joined in midfield by Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars. Ian Wright larked about up front with Thierry Henry. Even though the modern team had reached the Champions League final a couple of months before and had come minutes from winning it, many observers could not help thinking they would rather watch the oldies - however knackered their knees and leisurely their pace.

One year on, and the current squad appear to bear an even less comfortable comparison with the best of Wenger. This is the least experienced group since the Frenchman arrived in English football. The sale of Henry and Freddie Ljungberg over the close season has compounded the sense of dwindling power Arsenal felt a year ago when Bergkamp retired and Robert Pires, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole left.

The strength of the squad is just one of the major question marks lurking over Arsenal Football Club. With the threat of a hostile takeover and the contract extension on offer to Wenger also in the balance, fans have found it difficult to summon the usual levels of fresh-season optimism. As the front-page splash on the latest Gooner fanzine wondered: '2007/08 - A Year Of Living Dangerously?'

Living dangerously is not something Wenger has ever been afraid of in his managerial career. But this is perhaps his most dangerous ploy yet. His evangelical belief in the generation of young players he is nurturing is extremely brave in the current market. The doom-mongers have to acknowledge, though, that he has pulled enough rabbits out of hats to earn the right to do it his way for another season.

Living dangerously is not something Wenger has ever been afraid of in his managerial career. But this is perhaps his most dangerous ploy yet. His evangelical belief in the generation of young players he is nurturing is extremely brave in the current market. The doom-mongers have to acknowledge, though, that he has pulled enough rabbits out of hats to earn the right to do it his way for another season.

The team Wenger picked for this friendly against Paris Saint-Germain were suitably youthful. Short of attackers and without a recognized wide man to the extent that they fielded a pair of full-backs on each flank in the second half, Arsenal didn't just miss Henry and Ljungberg. They also missed Tomas Rosicky and Emmanuel Adebayor, carrying knocks, and new signing Eduardo da Silva, whose pre-season has stalled because of red tape regarding his work permit. And they missed a fantasy winger, should Wenger feel like addressing one of the glaring deficiencies in the squad before the transfer window shuts.

Wenger was less coy than usual afterwards on the subject of additional transfers. Another two signings are on his radar, and a barrage of questions about rehiring his old protege Nicolas Anelka enticed him into making an uncharacteristic slip. He was trying to persuade his interrogators that he signed Da Silva for his ability to be a foil for his current strikers, and included Anelka's name in the list.

Has he made a play for the Bolton man? 'I can't say that at all,' Wenger said, 'But I can bring in who I want.'

Does he want Anelka? 'I just answered that.'

Does Anelka want to come? 'Of course.'

As for Da Silva, whose work permit appeal will be heard on Thursday, Arsenal are confident of a positive outcome. But if the worst case scenario happens, he will return to Zagreb. 'We only sign contracts subject to a work permit so if that doesn't happen he will go back to Croatia.'

Another striker who is undeniably an Arsenal player at the moment took advantage of his opportunity in the imposing shape of Nicklas Bendtner, whose afternoon included an assist, a first senior goal for the club and a missed penalty.

Arsenal took a while to warm up. But in absolute contrast to the template of last season, they watched the opposition waste opportunity after opportunity and then nicked a goal out of nothing. It was like being in a parallel universe. The move was well worked, as Bendtner chested Gael Clichy's cross for Mathieu Flamini to volley crisply in off the post.

Arsenal improved in the second half, notably because Clichy's zest and Emmanuel Eboue's power in experimental wide-midfield roles began to reap dividends.

Bendtner scored midway though the second half, climbing to meet Denilson's corner and stabbing the ball home at the second attempt. His ability to get into scoring positions, aerial strength and general hold-up play were encouraging for home supporters.

Less heartening was the sight of Peguy Luyindula splitting Arsenal's center-halfs to reduce the lead. Defensive uncertainty remains a worry.

The big question, whether these boys will fly or falter, could go either way. Yes, Arsenal could re-enact all the weaknesses that dogged them last season and even slip out of the sacred top four. But it is not inconceivable that Wenger is right in predicting that his current collection can take over from their high-achieving predecessors and realize the only 'acceptable' goal of challenging for the title and the Champions League. In order to do so, creating a winning spirit is the biggest objective for Arsenal's youngsters. We all know they have nice technique. We have all seen them weave pretty patterns with their passing. We have watched them dominate possession regularly. But they have not yet mastered the art of winning matches consistently.

One of the most obvious problems is that Wenger has quickly lost a lot of charismatic players. His last title-winning team, the unbeaten champions of 2004, were packed with men whose name on the team sheet, whose presence on the pitch, whose experience and natural inclination to take control of games - whatever the circumstances - could lift their team-mates and sink the hearts of the opposition. Vieira. Henry. Pires. Campbell. Cole. Lauren. Ljungberg. Bergkamp. No shrinking wallflowers there.

Asking the current crop to emulate that is an intimidating challenge. Who can teach them about the mental strength to win leagues and fight back when all looks lost?

Out of the three 'Invincibles' who are left, Gilberto is a naturally quiet and humble man, Toure is a gentle, religious soul, and Lehmann is, well, one of life's individuals. None of them has the personality to pass on what is required with the same conviction as the likes of Vieira, Henry, Cole et al learned from. They took the baton from hardened winners such as Tony Adams, Lee Dixon and Martin Keown.

Cesc Fabregas is comfortably the best charisma player in today's squad. Clichy brims with a high level of determination that seems to rub off on his team-mates. Robin van Persie has his moments of inspiration and is one Wenger expects to shoulder more responsibility. But whether enough others can up the ante remains to be seen.

Emirates Stadium 55,106

ARSENAL Almunia; Sagna (Hoyte ht), Toure (Gallas ht), Senderos, Clichy (Randall 71); Diaby, Fabregas (Traore ht), Denilson, Flamini (Eboue ht); Bendtner, Van Persie (Hleb ht) Subs not used Fabianski, Barazite, Lansbury, Gibbs, Murphy

PSG Landreau; Mulumbu (Ngoyi 74), Traore, Camara, Armand; Frau, Digard, Clement, Rothen; Pauleta Luyindula Subs not used Alonzo, Sakho, Mendy, Yepes, Gallardo, Diane, Ngog, Arnaud, Bourillon, Sankhare

Referee P Walton

How Arsenal looked the last time they won the Premiership - compared with their likely line-up for the first game of the coming season

2003-04; 2007-08

Lehmann GK Lehmann

Lauren RB Sagna

Toure CB Toure

Campbell CB Gallas

Cole LB Clichy

Pires RM Rosicky

Vieira CM Fabregas

Gilberto CM Diaby

Ljungberg LM Hleb

Henry CF Van Persie

Wiltord CF Adebayor

(Gilberto is still at the club, but will have an extended holiday and miss the start of the season due to his involvement in the Copa America)

By Guardian Unlimited © Copyright Guardian
Newspapers 2008Published: 7/29/2007