Published 23:01 11/08/11 By John Cross
Arsene Wenger's job is on the line for the first time in 15 years as Arsenal manager.Wenger has endured a summer of discontent, with Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri both heading for the exit door after long and ugly transfer sagas.
That has left Wenger facing a major rebuilding job - and it is the strength of Arsenalâs eventual reinforcements that will decide the Frenchmanâs fate.
The Gunners has until now been untouchable because of the unprecedented success he brought in the past, but this summerâs dealings in the transfer window will make or break him.
Wenger has targeted Juan Mata of Valencia and Shakhtar Donetskâs Brazilian ace Jadson to replace Fabregas and Nasri in midfield.
But as well as fancy-dan midfielders, he desperately needs to install some backbone into his defence with one - and possibly two - new centre-halves.
After months of frustration chasing Phil Jagielka of Everton and Bolton's Gary Cahill, Wenger is also looking at Werder Bremenâs Per Mertesacker and Scott Dann of Birmingham.
The question now is whether those reinforcements will not only strengthen Arsenal but also appease the fans.
That is the challenge for Wenger, who is under pressure this season to deliver some silverware after six barren years.
If Arsenal bank around ÂŁ60million from the combined sales of Nasri and Fabregas, the pressure on Wenger to go out and spend big will be greater than ever.
Fabregas, 24, is already established as a world class talent, having been part of Spainâs World Cup-winning team last summer.
But Fabregasâ determination to join his boyhood heroes Barcelona has left Arsenal with little option but to let an unhappy player leave to stop him from unsettling the rest of the dressing room.
France midfielder Nasri has also come to the fore in the past 12 months and his form last season has suddenly made him one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
Manchester City appear to have won the race for his services, but Manchester United and Inter Milan were also keen.
Despite Wengerâs early defiance in saying that Nasri would not be sold, Arsenal had to take a finance-based decision and sell him now for ÂŁ22m rather than lose him for free when his contract expires next summer.
Or, to look it another way, end up paying close to ÂŁ25m - once you take into account wages and lost transfer fee - for him to stay for one more year.
That made no financial sense to the board, even if Wengerâs insistence that Arsenal âcould no longer be called a big clubâ if they sold both men will now leave the Gunners boss with egg on his face.
The U-turn on Nasri came after a board meeting last Thursday.
But the problem for Wenger is bringing in players of a similar calibre, to stop the Arsenal fans concluding that the club no longer has big ambitions.
Mata is regarded as one of the biggest prospects in Europe.
The Spain international is capable of playing wide, in midfield or as a support striker.
His price is likely to be in excess of ÂŁ20m, but he comes with a big reputation which is likely to appeal to Arsenal fans.
Jadson, 27, was in London on Thursday for talks.
He may also appeal as he is a Brazil international and was man of the match as Shakhtar won the 2009 UEFA Cup Final.
Wenger has already brought in Gervinho and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer, but the fans are crying out for a centre-half.
England international Cahill has been near the top of Arsenal's hit-list all summer but they have baulked at the ÂŁ17m asking price and a player-plus-cash deal has also failed to land him.
Arsenal have had two bids knocked back for Jagielka.
Wenger likes German international Mertesacker, who is keen to come and is available, but the Gunners boss is now also considering Dann, even though the 24-year-old was way down their list a few weeks ago.
It shows that Wenger has become frustrated with the search for new defenders - but also realises that reinforcements are needed.
Meanwhile, Arsenalâs Mexican forward Carlos Vela is set to go out on loan again this season, with Spain's Real Sociedad leading the chase.
Another Spanish side, Real Zaragoza, are also keen but Vela is not keen on their boss, former Mexico coach Javier Aguirre.
MirrorFootball