Pre-season spotlight on Arsenal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has once again resisted the urge to spend big in the transfer market, instead putting his trust in the club's youth.

The Frenchman will hope that with another year's experience, the likes of Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Denilson and Abou Diaby can turn all their potential into consistent performances. Meanwhile, much is expected of Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong, who should get matches under their belts this season.


Wenger will also be praying that Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie can stay injury free after they missed much of last season with leg and ankle injuries respectively. The pair reached the World Cup final, so will have had little time to rest. Fabregas' confirmation that he will be staying at the club despite bids from Barcelona is a boost to all at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger has added Marouane Chamakh to his squad after signing the striker on a Bosman free transfer from Bordeaux. He has impressed in pre-season, as has the other major addition Laurent Koscielny, from Lorient. The defender looks like forming a centre-back pairing with Thomas Vermaelen, although the fit-again Johan Djourou will also hope for playing time.

Arsenal have sold Croatian striker Eduardo da Silva to Shakhtar Donetsk after he failed to rediscover his best form following a horrific broken leg sustained in 2008. Fran Merida has departed to Atletico Madrid on a free transfer, while Philippe Senderos' contract expired and he has joined Fulham.

French youngster Francis Coquelin has joined Lorient on loan, and young striker Luke Freeman has moved to Yeovil, also on a temporary basis. Centre-back Luke Ayling has left the club for Yeovil on a free transfer.

Arsenal defeated Barnet 4-0 in their traditional opening pre-season friendly, while SK Sturm Graz and SC Neusiedl 1919 were dispatched 3-0 and 4-0 respectively on the club's tour of Austria.

The Gunners won the Emirates Cup after a 1-1 draw with AC Milan and a 3-2 win over Celtic. Their last pre-season friendly saw them spectacularly defeat Legia Warsaw 6-5 in Poland.

Pre-season Friendly Legia v Arsenal: Sat, 4pm kick-off (UK time)

Arsenal complete their pre-season preparations on Saturday with a trip to Poland to face Legia Warsaw.

Our coverage begins at 3.55pm (UK time) with commentary from Dan Roebuck and former Gunner Stewart Robson plus highlights straight after the final whistle.

If you miss any of the action, Arsenal TV Online will also carry two highlights packages of the game, the full 90 minutes on demand plus exclusive post-match reaction from Wenger and his players.

Vermaelen - Two men with a point to prove

Thomas Vermaelen says Samir Nasri and Theo Walcott will want to prove a point after the pair were left out of their national squads for the World Cup.

The defender believes their exclusions could benefit Arsenal this season and reports that they have been looking fresh in pre-season training so far.

During a recent visit to Centrepoint, Arsenal's new Charity of the Season, Vermaelen was asked if Walcott would have extra motivation after his England disappointment.

"Of course," he replied. "Every player wants to be in the national team. He is very motivated, Samir as well. In pre-season you can see that they are fresh and they are playing very well at the moment.

"But for them they wanted to be at the World Cup. Physically they will be fresher and 100 per cent for Arsenal this season."