Six? No, no, no!

Results

Date	Time	C	Opponent	F	A	R	S
01 May	3:00 PM	P	Blackburn Rovers (A)	1	2	Lost

Predictably, all the "pre-match" amble surrounding Arsène Wenger ahead of Monday's trip to Ewood Park was on anything and everything about football. Everything but the match itself, that is.

Quite understandable, I suppose, considering that practically nothing is riding on the contest, with Fat Sam (sorry, I mean Big) taking his charges to a Highlands golfing trip in preparation a case-in-point. There is, of course, the small matter of St. Totteringham's day to wrap up, and which looks like it may have to wait to the final day of the season, pending the midweek Champions League playoff result between City and Spurs.

With all the talk then relating to Inter Milan's anti-football display of negation and damn good fortune at Camp Nou, which was of course hailed as "Mourinho genius" by the creepy British media, and closer to home, the title race (what title race?) and even much closer, our transfer plans this summer, I was fascinated to hear Le Boss announce that he was hoping to conclude his business before the World Cup had started.

At this point, I would just like to fathom out which bright spark went on to quiz Wenger with questions about the close season, before hitting him with a suggestion that he might have to go and acquire six summer signings!? Six? I mean, granted, we do have a few shortcomings, and yes, our squad depth and quality in one or two areas have been found wanting over the past month, but it is quite clear that the journalist in question does not follow football, or Arsenal, anyway!

Unsurprisingly, a typically Alsatian frown and smile, followed by repetitive retorts of "no, no, no" from Wenger put the rumour-happy press right in their places. As well as curb any fantasy football journeys that any supporters were planning to embark upon, along the way.

The reality is, the players available had done reasonably well this season, only dropping out of the title race following one or two injuries too many, as well as a disappointing performance at White Hart Lane; borne out of a lack of efficiency, as opposed to the players not matching up to the home side's personnel (bar one or two, perhaps).

Another reality, which seems to have finally descended upon Wenger, is that we are short of three players to have a real chance of finishing top next time around. Only three, but three quality ones: in goal, the centre of defence, and up front for increased squad depth; the latter of which seems to have been taken care of (no official whispers of Marouane Chamakh's signing as yet, although the manager did announce that there would be one definite signing prior to South Africa 2010's big kickoff).

The man himself also stated that he was after "two, three maximum" in response to the aforementioned "guesstimate" by our clever clogs journo. By that, we can read between the lines, or we can take what Wenger said at face value. But, knowing Wenger as the man he is, and with me just being me, there is a lot to tease out of this message.
Firstly, Wenger's claim that three players would arrive would be on the condition that William Gallas does not re-sign. "Just an example", Wenger called it, but, reading between the lines here, it is becoming pretty obvious that the 32 year-old Frenchman is on his way out. This will be greeted with mixed emotions by Gooners, and, personally, I would have preferred for him to stay along with Sol Campbell (interesting that Wenger didn't use that as his example), plus the arrival of a new, younger, commanding centre-half to take up a regular first-team spot alongside Vermaelen. As it happens, the boss seemingly believes that Vermaelen, the mystery new defender, as well as Campbell (possibly) and Johan Djourou are more than enough personnel for the Premier League and Champions League efforts (no mention of Philippe Senderos, interestingly, and thankfully).

Transfers are never a straightforward issue with Arsène Wenger. As well as coming up with the unexpected with just about every transfer every year, we cannot really trust Wenger's assertion that the three required players are on their way. Not now, and not until we see them being unveiled before our very own once trusting, now suspicious eyes.

You will remember the stormy shareholders' end-of-season meeting this time last year, where Wenger was, possibly for the first time, forced to defend his own position and philosophy at the Club. He then went on to promise that considerable strengthening of two-three players was required, a comment he had also made in the similarly noisy confinements of the Old Trafford press room a few days earlier; although the noise there was one of joy following United's latest title success.

June, July, August came and went, and the only signing we had to cheer about was that of Thomas Vermaelen. A very good signing it was, and one aptly awarded with the Verminator's inclusion in the PFA Team of the Season. But, it wasn't enough. Wenger had broken his promise, gambling on the supporters' trust, but also insulting our intelligence.

That, and a promise to be on the hunt for a striker this January following long-term injuries to Nicklas Bendtner and Robin van Persie, are two broken promises too many. Two costly ones, at that.

And, despite looking that this gamble might just pay off as we headed into April, it ultimately failed, and we now have another promise of "considerable strengthening".

With third place at stake on Monday, a transfer pledge by Wenger at the third time of asking, and hoping to sign those three players that would take us to the next level, let us all pray that this time, three is indeed the magic number.

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