Promoted, not transferred?

In the midst of the frenzy of transfer rumours, it's important to remember that the manager is notorious for (at least) one thing: giving priority to up-and-coming youngsters rather than buying older players for backup. In Arsenal's financial circumstances the last few years it's been important for the continued safe running of the club.

And even though the purse strings are said to have been loosened this summer, there are youngsters coming through who we'll see as important squad members this time next year.

The always impressive Young Guns Blog have a piece here, running the rule over the youngsters who followed the first team squad to Austria for pre-season.

Do follow the link to read the whole piece, but let me just summarise that in their view Håvard Nordtveit looks to have impressed enough for a place among the first-team defenders, Emmanuel Frimpong has done the same in midfield (while climbing above Craig Eastmond in the pecking order) and that Jack Wilshere looks like a genuine contender even for a full strength first team.

Other haven't impressed that much, as the blog will tell you.

But if the manager has drawn some of the same conclusions, Arsenal may well have Frimpong and Nordtveit as backup for Alexandre Song and Denilson in midfield, while the 20 year old Norwegian can also deputise at both centre back and right back.

And not signing Joe Cole or Mesut Özil will only be a good thing for Wilshere's development, and the team wouldn't miss them.

That doesn't end the clamour for a proven defender (or, indeed, a proven goalkeeper), but may calm down the calls for another midfielder to compete with Song for the anchor role.