Arsene Wenger knows that jolly hockey sticks Arsenal aren't world beaters yet

By Mark Lawrenson

Published 22:11 21/08/09

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Arsene Wenger has made the rest of the Premier League sit up and take notice with Arsenal’s glorious start.

But the Arsenal manager is far too shrewd and long in the tooth to think that two fantastic results mean that they are suddenly world beaters again.

As good as Arsenal were at Everton, it was 50-50 as to Arsenal playing some great stuff and Everton being awful.

I was at Celtic on Tuesday to see the Gunners and there was a real gulf in class between the teams.

It’s also the start of the season, the pitches are great and it’s all jolly hockey sticks with Arsenal’s free-flowing football.

But it won’t be long until opposing teams come to the Emirates, get ten men behind the ball and Arsenal get frustrated again.

Arsenal seems a happier place without Emmanuel Adebayor but they will certainly miss him on the pitch as they no longer have a powerful target to give them a more direct option.

For all his size, Nicklas Bendtner isn’t that player. Robin van Persie and Eduardo are the same and that means that even more so Arsenal will have to score the perfect goal.

I still think they need one more striker. Marouane Chamakh is, for me, not that player. He is more of a split striker and a bit similar to what they already have.

They already have plenty of those tricky skilful players like Andriy Arshavin, Tomas Rosicky and Theo Walcott. Terrific players but you need variation in the squad.

They also need strength in depth in midfield and in defence. That is something that is lacking at the moment. They also need a bit more experience.

But there are also very positive signs in there. Alex Song and Denilson look a very strong midfield pair to give Cesc Fabregas the protection and licence to get forward that he needs.

Fabregas can score goals, likes to get forward and Arsenal’s new 4-3-3 system appears to be working well.

The other new addition is Thomas Vermaelen and he looks a terrific competitor, really strong and determined with a great leap.

Vermaelen also looks comfortable on the floor and compliments William Gallas in central defence as they both have pace and strength.

But the more realistic test will come against Didier Drogba in a battle in the air rather than against Georgios Samaras (Please check) who is at Celtic after failing to cut it in the Premier League with Manchester City.

Arsenal look strong and they are renowned for their terrific brand of football. I backed them to get into the top four and I think they will do that.

But in terms of winning the title or the Champions League, then Arsenal fall a bit short for me.

They are capable of winning a trophy and Wenger’s football makes everyone admire them.

But it’s a pivotal season and Wenger knows that he needs a trophy to keep everyone happy this season.

They still need a couple more quality players to be able to build on their promising start to the campaign.

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