Arsenal Comment: Proof That Wenger Doesn't Need To Spend

Anyone who believes Arsene Wenger needs to spend in the transfer market to consolidate Arsenal's challenge for honors this season should have been at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday for the 6-2 demolition of Blackburn Rovers. 

Twice behind, they stormed back to wreck one of the Premier League's most accomplished party-poopers and mark Wenger's landmark 13 years in charge with a trademark victory built on swift movement, inventive passing and the special ability of a team full of confidence. 

Curiously, perhaps significantly, two of the decisive goals came from his two most recent signings - Thomas Vermaelen and Andrey Arshavin - who, if anything, demonstrated why there is both no need for Wenger to spend and, at the same time, why Wenger can be trusted to spend with prudence.

The Belgian defender was outstanding at the back and in attack against an impoverished and demoralized looking Blackburn team that was outclassed once the Gunners hit their stride. Six goals? It might have been a dozen. 

As with many of the best Wenger signings, few observers in this country knew much about Vermaelen, other than he was a dependable captain at Ajax, before his arrival - and even fewer knew of his potential to score goals. 

His superb driven goal for the first equalizer summed up how Arsenal, at their best and against weak opposition, can play when given space and time. 

Arshavin, equally, proved why he is so popular with the home fans and neutrals with his technical ability, clever creativity and excellent finishing ability. The Russian's goal was a supreme example of his talent, fired in from the left of the penalty area to beat Paul Robinson on a day when he was the best player in the Blackburn side. 

But at the heart of this triumph, that carried Arsenal's record to six wins in a row, was the captain himself Cesc Fabregas. Rarely can one man's influence be so complete and his talent so perfectly exposed. The Spaniard's goal was another from the master-class video that will save plenty of this action for posterity. 

When goals from Robin van Persie and two of the substitutes Theo Walcott and the improving Nicklas Bendtner are thrown in for consideration, they prove that Arsenal have attacking talent in depth and a range of players in the squad to ensure that Wenger's optimism about a championship challenge is well-founded. 

Blackburn, however, are a long way from being a 'top four' team, or even perhaps a top ten team. And some distance from the elite of Europe. So, while joy is due its release on this showing, it should not be unconfined or taken as a signal that Wenger's current team can conquer everyone. 

That both defeats this season have come in Manchester against potential top six opposition in Manchester United and then Manchester City should be seen by Arsenal as a challenge to their consistency and durability on the road against the best. 

On this evidence, few will live with them at the Emirates Stadium when they are in full flow. And few will be calling for more reinforcements - unless they suffer an injury crisis before the African Nations Cup - other than, perhaps, an authoritative squad man who has the experience to guide the boys when the going gets tough. 

This hammering of Sam Allardyce's side confirmed that Arsenal have a wonderful squad, a beautiful style and buoyancy in their step, particularly in home games, in the autumn sunshine. But, if pushed, or showered in gold, it may be that Wenger will consider the return of a man like Patrick Vieira to make sure this team with a velvet touch also contains an iron fist when required. 

In terms of numbers, his squad has enough players and enough competition for places other than central defense where Kolo Toure has not been replaced. Another stopper, but only the right man of experience, could also be on Wenger's radar, but in this form they look capable of outscoring most other Premier League teams in an open game. 

By January, however, it could be a different story. Wenger knows that trophies and honors can be lost, not won, in the first half of the season - and that when the demanding and decisive days arrive next March and April, it may be durability that counts. 

Tim Collings, Goal.com