The Gunners' summer has so far been dominated by the Adebayor saga, with the Togolese striker's recent comments ambiguous at best, duplicitous at worst. Arsenal fans are losing patience with and respect for a player who has so far had one good season and seems to assume it has given him inordinate bargaining power. If he's going to go, it's better that he goes quickly, though manager Arsene Wenger - criticised for allowing Mathieu Flamini to leave for Milan - seems calmly determined that last season's top scorer will still be at the Emirates for the new campaign. Meanwhile Alexander Hleb's future at the club also remains up in the air.
On the positive side, highly-prized full-back Gael Clichy has signed a long-term contract extension, and the brightest jewel in the Gunners' crown, Cesc Fabregas, has not only tasted well-deserved glory with Spain this summer but also made it abundantly clear that he's likely to be at Arsenal for at least as long as Wenger. The exciting Welsh teenager, Aaron Ramsey, was snapped up from under the noses of Manchester United, while France winger Samir Nasri is on the verge of completing a move to North London and is seen as a replacement for Hleb should the Belarussian leave. Amaury Bischoff also claims to be about to sign for the club after rejecting Werder Bremen's offer of a contract extension.
Robin van Persie showed at Euro 2008 that he is close to full fitness and match sharpness at last, while Eduardo is making remarkably rapid progress from his double leg fracture. Also up front, young Mexican starlet Carlos Vela will be in the squad for the first time after attaining eligibility while gaining useful experience in La Liga. Big things are expected of Theo Walcott next season, and youngsters like Armand Traore, Henri Lansbury, Fran Merida, Kieran Gibbs, Nacer Baracite, Mark Randall and Jack Wilshere could make an impact.
However, the big question-mark is over the holding midfield role, now that Flamini has left. Is Gilberto Silva up for the task still? Will Denilson or Alex Song be able to step up to the plate? Or - as most Arsenal fans would like - will Wenger sign a top class player in that position? Certainly it would be surprising - and distinctly worrying for their supporters - if the Gunners were not in the market as buyers for two or three more players over the next six weeks.
Aston Villa
Villa's close season has been overshadowed by the issue of captain Gareth Barry's future. Will he still be there for the start of the new season? At the moment it is looking unlikely - he has made it clear he wants to join his pal Steven Gerrard at Liverpool so he can include Champions League involvement among his life experiences. Barry has crossed a line this week by lashing out at Villa - specifically manager Martin O'Neill, accusing his boss of indifference to the midfielder's "predicament." With endearing arrogance, Barry is feeling neglected because O'Neill had the temerity to concentrate on his TV commitments to the BBC during Euro 2008.
For their part Villa have contradicted Barry by claiming they have gone out of their way to persuade the player to stay with them, though O'Neill won't stand in his way. Barry has been there 10 years and may be getting itchy feet anyway. It's looking more likely now that he'll be a Red when the new season starts, but whether he stays or goes, Villa need to bring in quality players to boost the numbers in what is currently one of the Premier League's smallest squads.
O'Neill has had chance to observe the Euro 2008 talent at close quarters, and Villa owner Randy Lerner is said to be willing to put his hands in his pockets for team strengthening, so expect to see O'Neill in the market as a buyer soon. With last season's loanee Scott Carson back at Liverpool, he needs a goalkeeper, and Tottenham's Paul Robinson is being strongly linked. That's a deal that could suit all three parties.
Villa are also in pole position to bring in Steve Sidwell, should the midfielder conclude that his opportunities will remain strictly limited at Chelsea. Olof Mellberg's departure for Juventus creates a gap that needs to be plugged, but the good news for Villa is that England internationals Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor are committed to the club.
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