Arsene adds a central defender by doing no business

SO a second August deadline day passes with no deals. Except that unlike last year, this year’s inactivity is unlikely to spark mass panic among the majority of fans.

A decent start to the season is certainly in part to thank. But I think it hard to argue with the idea that the squad is now stronger than a year ago.

In defence, one would assume that with Senderos staying Silvestre has been knocked down to fifth choice. Senderos may not be everyone’s cup of tea and certainly no master of Didier Drogba but with him around you can understand why Arsene didn’t just go and buy any old central defender.

It’s a similar situation in midfield. A year ago we needed bodies plain and simple because the likes of Song and Denilson just weren’t ready. Now we appear to have plenty of options when fit for the more attacking role of the trio (Diaby, Nasri, Rosicky), while Cesc, Denilson, Song and Diaby again are all coherent options for the two more defensive roles. And there is Ramsey too.

So in midfield you can understand why someone like Vieira tempted Arsene and equally understand why he didn’t actually sign anyone.

And up front Arshavin has come on and an unmotivated Adebayor left. We also have Eduardo back and Bendtner has improved significantly. I don’t doubt we will miss Adebayor at times, but there will be plenty of other things we won’t miss and I’m really not sure if we had room for another attacker.

And that only leaves goalkeeper. Nothing has changed there. Except it was interesting to hear reports in a couple of places, including on SKY Sports after yesterday’s deadline passed, that we had made enquiries about Robert Green at West Ham.

And finally… Eduardo’s two game ban. It’s a joke. But I don’t have time to write on it now.