Cesc Promoted to Arsenal Captain.

I'm scared to be honest.

Not because Cesc is 21, not because I think that its too much responsibility for him, not because I think its the wrong choice. I'm scared because I think he will be successful.

Let me explain.

So far this season, we have heard Wenger defending his position on the lack of fresh meat being drafted into the ranks during the closed season; instead, he promoted a few "new" faces from the Academy squad up into the "First Team Squad". Ramsey, Randall and Wiltshere have made one or two appearances there and impressed. But as we are all aware, we have lost a lot of talent over the closed season and not replaced it "like for like". Our midfield and defensive gutlessness has been well publicised. My real concern now is the timing that this decision has come about. I'm frightened that Cesc's appointment will have the expected / desired effect - that being to galvanise an ailing side. To bring the team together, install a "warrior mentality" (if I may borrow a phrase from William "Mad Murdoch" Gallas). Because if this happens too well over the next 5 weeks, it will in all possibility bring Wenger out with the re-assertion of his belief that he did not need to spend in the summer and so he does not need to spend now at the forthcoming winter break.

That would be catastrophic.

We just do not have the size of squad to have those kind of thoughts. I'm not second guessing Wenger, I'm not claiming to be a better manager than him... BUT, Arsenal are (WARNING - unverified facts ahoy) the serially injury-prone team in the Premiership over the past 4 years; and to compound that fact the injuries we continually suffer throughout those seasons have all been key influential playmakers for our style at that part of the season. This
then results in a make-shift team being played, stuttering performances and a lack of confidence.

The Cesc Factor that were are about to experience could backfire on us in a terrible terrible way, so far as to make me think that if major siginings are not made during the winter break we will struggle to make the UEFA cup next year.

The team will respond to Cesc's appointment. They will be buoyed. They will turn on the style. But that is no cure for the underlying problems we have with the squad. We do currently lack presence, persona, natural leadership and authority. We do. And when thing start to go well this winter that will be overlooked, then you can bet your arse that the arse will fall out of the team and our results towards the end of the season.

THAT scares me.