Nel-A: Fair play mate. One thing about Arsenal is that they do churn out some quality players. So I'm sure someone'll fill his boots. What's the deal with Walcott?! He had the world at his feet not long back. Is he still being played on the wing?
The steadily worsening problem for Arsenal is that players are leaving more quickly than they can be filled. If Nasri were staying, the loss of Fabregas wouldn't hurt quite as much and vice versa. But with both of them gone, now they're asking Ramsey and Wilshere to fill those roles. They're fine players, but they're too young for the task this year, imo.
As for Walcott, he continues to play pretty much exclusively on the wing. Whether that's still by design or from an unwillingness to play into the center more often is up for debate. He's maddening at times. He'll look like a wold beater for a stretch and then disappear for an equal stretch. He's got to add to his game. Burning down the wing and serving up sub-par cross after sub-par cross only gets one so far.
I think we're seeing an Arsenal team in transition that will play counter to their image this year. Unlike the last few years, the backline actually has been the team's strength thus far. In spite of a losing result, Vermaelen was the man of the match for me today. Sagna was his usual steady self, in spite of the fact that he was playing on his opposite side. The youngsters, Jenkinson and Miquel (who were pressed into duty because of injuries to Koscielny, Gibbs, Squilacci and Djorou) didn't look completely out of place. Add to that some strength from the defensive midfield position in the likes of Song and Frimpong, and I think Arsenal's defense will surprise this year.
