Arsene Wenger has categorically stated that he has a war chest to strengthen the Arsenal team this summer, and judging by all the transfer news in the papers lately, it would seem that a new goalkeeper is at the top of his list.

Having already been linked with Neuer, Akinfeev and Lloris, a report in todays Sunday Mirror says that Wenger is considering an £8m bid for the young Man City keeper Joe Hart, who has had a great season out on loan at Birmingham City. With Shay Given a guaranteed starter at City, Hart realises that he will have to stay away from the Eastlands to be sure of first team football, and he is young enough to become a long-time fixture at Arsenal. If Wenger can really get him for £8m it would be a fantastic investment.

Since Christmas, Fran Merida has been rumoured to have had a pre-contract agreement with Atletico Madrid, who he supported as a boy, and it has at last been announced in Spain that he will definitely be joining them when his contract runs out on June 30th. As Merida was hotly tipped to be the long-time replacement for Cesc Fabregas, he is a big loss to the Gunners on a free transfer.

Another badly kept secret is the transfer of Marouane Chamakh to Arsenal from Bordeaux, and the sooner his signing is confirmed, the quicker we can stop the speculation. Wenger practically confirmed our suspicions yesterday when he said of the Chamakh rumours: “We will announce the deals after the league finishes, he is one of the players who has a good chance to join us.”

The last Arsenal rumour has Wenger recouping the £8m he needs for the bid for Joe Hart, by selling the Croatian striker Eduardo to Lyon. He has never really recovered his form after coming back from injury, and with Chamakh coming in he will have little chance of first team action at the Emirates. Lyon are reportedly willing to take a chance o him next season.

Arsene Wenger last night gave his biggest indication that he will be willing to spend some big money in the transfer market this summer, after many years of selling his top players.

Arsenal have had to rely on the youngsters coming through the youth system for the last few years to replace the outgoing stars, but Wenger now believes that the club is stable enough financially to be able to dip into the overflowing coffers.

“I think we can overcome Chelsea,” Wenger said. “For a while we were not investing maybe because we had built the stadium but I think our financial situation is now becoming much stronger and we will be capable to buy the players we need to buy.”

“No we cannot compete on wages with Chelsea. That is simple. I believe what is not normal is not our wage bill but their wage bill because that should not be allowed.

“However they cannot all go to Chelsea, it is as simple as that. There are top players outside of the ones Chelsea want to buy who are good enough for us.”

This will be music to the ears of the many Arsenal fans that have been begging Wenger to buy some top class reinforcements for the last few seasons. Their wishes may now at last be granted, and Arsenal can seriously challenge for the top trophies in England and Europe.

If Arsenal are to challenge for trophies, three or four players are needed according to former midfielder Ray Parlour.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, the 37-year old explained that the Gunners made a big leap forward in terms of improvement but it is now time to sit down and plan ahead of next season.

With Tottenham beating Chelsea at White Hart Lane, it means that Arsenal are back in the title race, although they are still 3rd favourites in the battle. Speaking of next summer’s transfer window, Parlour explained that Arsene Wenger should look into signing three or four player, who are needed if the Gunners are to be at the top next season.

Parlour admitted that a club with the ambition of Arsenal cannot rely on a goalkeeper like Manuel Almunia and also at the back, with William Gallas’ future still a mystery and Sol Campbell to turn 36 in September, two new players should be signed for the defensive department.

He said:

Quote:

I think they’ve had a really good season this year, I think they’ve improved and got tougher as a team – they have got to places like Bolton and come away with a win – but you’ve got to look at next season. These players are maturing all the time, but maybe he has to dip into the transfer market in the summer. He doesn’t like doing it in January but in the summer he can get three or four players in, he can work with them all pre-season and hopefully if the squad stays together and he can add some new faces, they can go close again next season. If you want to win the championship, look at the top sides that have done it – they’ve always had a top-quality keeper. Now if Manuel Almunia steps up he can stay there, but I think Arsene Wenger knows deep down that they probably do need a new keeper. Who knows what William Gallas’ future will be? I think they’re wrangling over a two-year contract. Vermaelen’s had a great season and been a real plus, Johan Djourou’s been out for most of the season and should be back, but you’re looking at another two centre-halves for next season. No disrespect to Sol Campbell, but he’s getting on a little bit now so I don’t think he’ll be there next season. For me you need four top-quality centre-halves to win this league.

Robin van Persie says his five months of rehabilitation will benefit him in the long run.

The striker ruptured his ankle ligaments in November, the latest of a series of bad injuries that have blighted his career at Arsenal, but made an instant impact when he came on during his team's 2-1 defeat at Tottenham on Wednesday.

'The amount of hard work I put in (during my rehabilitation) was incredible,' said Van Persie, who incorporated gym work, swimming and sprinting into his daily routine.

'I would start at 10am and get home at 8.30pm. Sometimes I was so tired I could not even drive.

'So I had no fear about how I would feel or about my shape when I would make my comeback.

'I just know that if my body is in good shape, I don't have to worry about a thing on the pitch.

'That's why I had the confidence to turn it all on immediately from the first minute I came on.'