Yesterday’s loss to Chelsea was another poor result against a top team, and next weekend’s visit to old Trafford has gone from one brimming with anticipation to a trip filled with dread.

The recent results against the top 3 has not made for good reading, I for one cannot wait for the season to end and transfer business to begin.

It is high time for Wenger to stop pinching he pennies.

Arsène has already intimated that he will “try” to strengthen in the areas he has identified — “certainly not strikers” — with one or two players, which tells us nothing new, but the second part of his statement says something.

“And if we buy, it certainly won’t be players who lack experience. We have enough of those.”

It is possible to say then that we will have an experienced defender — although Silvestre, Toure, and Gallas, all fit that bill — more likely a strong midfielder to partner Fàbregas Solér. So the big question for Arsenal fans this summer apart from who will leave, is who will we buy?

To answer that question we have to take another major factor into consideration, actually the main factor when buying anything —

How much money do we need?

Considering the huge fall in the value of the pound, and the fact that City will be throwing money around rest assured player values this season will surely be inflated, and opportunities for Arsenal to deal will be reduced.

The type of player we need won’t be cheap and with the increase in taxation level expect £50k/wk to a player means £100k to the club. If we look at Barry as an example then a quality midfielder will run us at least £15m plus £5.2m in salaries. So a minimum of £40m for 2 “quality” players.

How much money do we have?

It is hard to know what to believe when it comes to the question of money, the board says there is money available, while Wenger says we have to buy to sell. If the board is telling the truth then Wenger is doing us a disservice, if Wenger is right then we can only thank him for getting us where we are on a shoestring budget.

As stingy as Arsenal is so they are reticent, players always sign “long-term” contract and fee are always “undisclosed”. However taking a close look at the last financial figures you gain a sense of how much money can be raised for transfers.

The club has long held that the football business has to survive on it’s on so let’s rule out the notion of investment from the board or anyone else.

The interim statement for up to NOV 2008 shows overall pre-tax profit from the Group’s core business of football increased to £19.7m. if that is extrapolated to end of May then we could double that figure and add an extra monies for Fa Cup and Champions league Semi- finals then it is possible for Arsène to have in the region of £50m to spend this summer.

What can £50m get you?

The good thing is that defensive players come much cheaper than attractive flair strikers or fancy feet midfielders. Yes the good ones are scarce and cost a bit more but no one will begrudge you if you spend a little over the odds for the “right” player. If villa wants £18m for Barry no problem, if ‘pool wants the same for Olonso sure.

It’s not like we’re asking for A David Villa, or a Lionel Messi, we just want a player like Essien or a Senna.

Unlike the harbingers of doom out there I actually think we are in good shape, the last weeks has surely been disappointing, but I think that we have done better than most of us expected. Of course Wenger has to take some blame for his stockpiling of offensive minded players while neglecting to bolster the team defensively.

— Thinking about it now there is not a single player in the team that is not interested in going forwards, if the goalkeepers could they would be bombing forwards. This has to be taken care of, over the course of the season we have let in way too many soft goals. Goals that could be prevented with just an ounce more defensive awareness from everyone.—

So Arsène there are no excuses you know what we need, you cannot say there’s no money, let’s go out and get those players you need. I am sure the scouting team can come up with a few good men to fill the defensive vacuum you’ve created.

Your suggestions

Please feel free to use the comments section below, who can we get for £50m, Should we spend it on a name brand player of 3 solid workhorses. Brede Hangellan or Matthew Upson, or both. Share your ideas.