"We will not do that now"

During the pre-season, the manager has seen enough of promising 18-year-olds Jack Wilshere and Emmanuel Frimpong to call off the search for another defensive midfielder.

After retaining the Emirates Cup, Arsène Wenger said to the press that the two talents had persuaded him they have what it takes:

"... At the start of the season I was not convinced that Wilshere and Frimpong could be central midfielders, defensively. There is a little bit more competition than we expected there to be. We were considering even maybe going on the market for a midfielder. We will not do that now."

More quotes at arsenal.com.

Wenger still concedes that he is a central defender short, but he underlines that it's a question of numbers, not quality. (Of course he wouldn't state in public that the ones he already has are backup players...)

Which means there are still a room or two in the squad; perhaps even for a goalkeeper.

Having said throughout the summer that I don't believe a replacement for Almunia and/or Fabianski will be bought, I have to concede that the Mark Schwarzer saga has made me unsure. However, it seems pretty clear to me that a deal for the Australian international is the only option considered.

After internationals like Igor Akinfeev and Federico Marchetti have virtually begged to join Arsenal this summer, a replacement would be easy to find. If there was "only" a replacement needed. Wenger seems to have so much faith in Wojcech Szczesny (and in a lesser extent in Vito Mannone) that a new signing will only be short term.

Having the experienced Schwarzer around as player/coach does make sense in that respect.