Has this summer been positive or negative for Arsenal?

I have to say that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has impressed me with his dealing in the transfer market so far this summer.

The recent capture of Spanish international midfielder Santi Cazorla is a very shrewd signing.

Positive

With new players arriving this summer the feeling around Arsenal seems far more positive than in previous seasons.

Last summer it seemed everything was doom and gloom at the Emirates Stadium, but there seems to be optimism amongst the Gunners fans and staff alike.

Negative

One of the negative clouds hanging over Arsenal this summer is the future of talisman Robin Van Persie. The 29 year-old striker is in the last year of his contract and has stated that he won’t be extending his contract.

Van Persie now looks set to depart the club this summer. The striker’s exit may be seen as a major negative, but the rest of the Arsenal squad is definitely stronger than last season.

Quality

Cazorla could prove to be one of the signings of the summer. The 27 year-old midfielder is very versatile and a high quality player. He has received praise from the likes of Mikel Arteta, Cesc Fabregas and even the great Xavi in recent months.

Cazorla is the quality of player that Arsenal need to sign if they are ever going to challenge for the Premier League title. They may not be ready this season, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Midfield

The Gunners midfield could be one of the strongest in the English top flight in the new campaign. The Gunners have the likes of Mikel Arteta, Alex Song and now Santi Cazorla. They also still have young Jack Wilshere to come back from injury.

Arsenal are also being linked with a move for Real Madrid playmaker Nuri Sahin. The Turkish international has been frozen out at the Bernabeu and could be available on a season-long loan if reports are to be believed.

Speculation

Unfortunately there is now speculation over the future of Cameroon international midfielder Alex Song. He played a crucial part in Arsenal’s rise up the table last season, but according to reports in the Daily Mirror he is a transfer target for Barcelona.

Should Arsenal lose both Van Persie and Song this summer then the signings of Cazorla, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud won’t look so good. It’s very unlikely, but should Arsenal keep the pair then they could have a very good season.

Defence

I still think that Arsenal’s defence needs strengthening this summer. The Gunners conceded far too many needless goals last season. Even poor teams managed to score against the hapless Gunners defence.

Injuries at the back didn’t help Arsenal last season and addition backup in defence must be a priority for Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. It will be difficult for Arsenal to achieve anything with the defenders currently at the club.

Should Arsene Wenger manage to secure the signatures of some quality defenders this summer, then I think he has to consider his summer transfer business successful.

Success?

A place in the Champions League must again be the Gunners aim in the new campaign. A lot can happen between now and when the transfer window closes though. Van Persie looks set to leave and Song could follow him.

Should both those deals happen then the Gunners will struggle to finish as high as they did last season. However, depending on how the new players settle it could be a very good season for the Gunners.

It’s difficult to assess whether this summer has been a negative or a positive one. Maybe this is a question that will be answered when the summer transfer window shuts. This will give everybody a better idea of Arsenal’s strength.

I do believe that the signings that Arsene Wenger has made this summer will strengthen the Arsenal squad. These additions should help the Gunners to another top four finish this season. I’m afraid that’s the best that Gunners fans can hope for this season.

Has this summer been negative or positive for Arsenal?