Arsene Wenger plans summer shake-up


Emmanuel Adebayor last night admitted he expects big changes this summer after Arsenal's season was left on the brink of collapse.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is certain to shake-up his squad at the end of the season after his team's failure in the Champions League has left them facing the prospect of finishing the campaign empty-handed.

That will make it three barren years and four seasons since Arsenal won the Premier League which equals his longest barren spell without winning the title as once again his promising youngsters have fallen short.

Avram Grant or Rafa Benitez would be under huge pressure after going so long without a trophy, but Wenger's position remains unquestioned at Arsenal after transforming the club on a relatively small budget.

And he is clinging onto the hope they can still challenge for the title ahead of Sunday's trip to Old Trafford but they still need a miracle to make up the gap on leaders Manchester United.

Arsenal captain William Gallas was brutal in his assessment of his team's failings in their Champions League quarter-final defeat to Liverpool, admitting they lacked "experience."

That is likely to signal Wenger shaking up his squad with Lyon winger Hatem Ben Arfa and Villarreal defender Martin Caceres on his hit-list while Mexican wonder-kid Carlos Vela, 19, will return after an impressive loan spell at Osasuna.

But Wenger is also likely to wield the axe with Philippe Senderos - at fault for two of Arsenal's goals at Anfield - and Jens Lehmann, Gilberto Silva and Justin Hoyte set to leave while Mathieu Flamini is still stalling on a new deal.

Striker Adebayor admits that this summer could see another shake-up even though he insists Wenger's squad is still young and that they can improve.


Gallas, whose leadership has been questioned during Arsenal's collapse, may find his captaincy under threat as Cesc Fabregas matures but the French defender insisted: "We lacked experience.

You can't concede a penalty 30 seconds after equalising.

"Now it will be hard to bounce back. Morale is low. Nobody expected much from us at the start of the season and we've overachieved, that's true. But when you get this far, it still hurts."

"As a player, these things are very difficult to take. You can imagine - within seven minutes we were in the semifinal, then that all went."

Arsenal defender Kolo Toure added: "Manchester United is going to be a really important game or us. We still have the chance for the Premier League."

He also backed Theo Walcott, 19 - the architect of Arsenal's second goal at Anfield with an amazing run - for big things.

Toure added: "Theo's run was fantastic, with a great pass. He is a good player who is improving every game. He is going to be one of the best players in England."

ALL CHANGE AT THE EMIRATES

PLAYERS OUT

JENS LEHMANN

German veteran keeper - the hero of Arsenal's Invincibles season - will quit this summer at the end of his contract after getting fed up with no longer being No. 1.

GILBERTO SILVA

He may be captain of Brazil but he cannot get regular football at Arsenal. He has never complained but is likely to leave this summer.

PHILIPPE SENDEROS

The Swiss defender has struggled to live up to early promise and is Arsenal's defensive weakness.

MATHIEU FLAMINI

Has stalled on a new fiveyear contract, is out of contract at the end of the season and Juventus are very keen.

ALEXANDER HLEB

The clever midfielder has had his head turned by Inter Milan who have been accused of tapping him up.

PLAYERS IN

HATEM BEN ARFUR

The Lyon winger is on Arsene Wenger's wanted list as he looks to strengthen his attack with van Persie and Rosicky both proving to be injury prone players.

MARTIN CACERES

The Villarreal defender has been watched by Arsenal as Wenger looks to strengthen his defence at both centreback and full-back berths.

CARLOS VELA

The Mexican striker, 19, who is currently on loan at Osasuna, has scored 20 goals in 24 Spanish league games and will be recalled to Arsenal's first team squad. Wenger would rather put faith in his young players than buy big despite this season's failings.