Relief as Wenger signals his intentions

I'm back onside with Arsene Wenger - at least until the end of January.

At last it appears there is something to be optimistic about regarding the future of this Arsenal team, as quotes in the papers this morning indicate that Wenger sees buying a defensive midfielder as "a priority".

Allied to that, a deal for Zenit St Petersburg midfielder Andrei Arshavin looks highly likely this month. Although I'm skeptical about Arshavin's ability to adapt to the Premier League, Wenger usually knows what's best when it comes to attacking, flair players.

It's clear that Arshavin wants to come to Arsenal, and Zenit St Petersburg will be shooting themselves in the foot if the continue to demand an exorbitant transfer fee. However, they're a small club with a big asset that doesn't come along too often, so they will want a fair price - not the miserly, credit crunch price Arsenal are bound to offer.

However, if Arshavin was to be Wenger's only purchase in January I would be most disappointed.

Arshavin alone will not turn Arsenal's season around. The key signing, the most important signing this month will be that of an experienced defensive midfielder - a player with energy, passion, fight and an ability to protect the back four.

If Arsenal sign Arshavin and a quality DM then, in time, this Arsenal team can turn the form book on its head and start to look like title challengers again.

It may be too late for this season, but by next season - fingers crossed and injuries permitting, Arsenal could conceivably have a midfield/forward line boasting Arshavin, Nasri, Eduardo, Fabregas, Rosicky, Van Persie, and Adebayor, plus a DM worthy of the role.

With an age bracket somewhere between 22-28, that would be a highly experienced unit with plenty of scope for improvement and bags of quality. It would also offer something Arsenal have not had for a long time, options on the bench.

Perhaps in the summer Wenger could then turn his attention to the defence.

I'll state right now, I no longer see a future at Arsenal for any of Eboue, Diaby, Song and Bendtner. These players have been given their chance and failed. I expect them to be phased out and replaced by the emerging Wilshere, Ramsey, Bischoff, Vela and Walcott.

For me, the oft pilloried Denilson still has a bright future at the club. I think Denilson has learnt a lot this season that will stand him in good stead; he can be a very good utility player.

Tomorrow, Arsenal welcome Bolton Wanderers to the Emirates stadium. The first half of 2009 will be all about finishing in 4th place - therefore a win is vital considering Aston Villa should make mince meat of a West Brom side that have been woeful on their travels this season.

Bolton Wanderers tend to bring back bad memories for Arsenal fans, but recent form against the Greater Manchester side has been excellent, with five straight wins and a draw from the last six.

Bolton's form this season has been patchy - as one might expect, but The Trotters have occasionally pulled off some surprisingly good results, particularly on their travels.

Naturally, Bolton will get physical and press Arsenal all over the pitch, and as we know, this current Arsenal team struggles to cope with that sort of pressure. I'm therefore expecting a fairly even game that Arsenal should shade but could just as easily mess up - although the fact that Bolton are missing the highly influential midfielder Kevin Nolan will make life easier.

Ever-present right-back Gretar Steinsson is also suspended.

For Arsenal, Gallas and Silvestre are both out with respective injuries - but Toure and Djourou should be able to do an adequate job, limited to only three catastrophic errors. Make that five now Gael Clichy is fit again.

Otherwise, it will all be down to how effectively Van Persie and Adebayor utilise Samir Nasri's ammunition.

Cynical moi?