It was a difficult August for Arsenal fans, they expected signings but only Samir Nasri peaked their interest. The enrolling of Amaury Bischoff was relegated to aberration status, and Mikael Silvestre did not appear to placate fans hoping for a Tony Adams-type stopper at the heart of a creaky defence.

Then the 1-0 defeat at Fulham on 23rd August, which only cemented in the minds of many supporters the conclusion that Arsene Wenger 's squad was too thin, too weedy,