So you remember football right? 22 men on a square patch of grass kicking a coloured sphere into nets while toga-clad spectators scream and bay for blood? Well apparently it's back, which is good news for everyone except Arsenal fans.

For those of us who are paid up members of Arsene Wenger's red and white army, it's been a mixed bag so far. First there was the disappointing and infuriating draw up in Newcastle, then the succesful but undeniably nervy win against Udinese, followed by last weekend's hard-luck loss to Liverpool. 1 scored, 2 conceded and 2 red cards. Hardly bursting out of the blocks are our lads from North London. Furthermore, we've seen the departure of one of the most creative and talented central midfielders in the league in Cesc Fabregas, and there remains the distinct possibility that one of last season's best players, Samir Nasri, will soon be off to Manchester City to join erstwhile first choice left back Gael Clichy. Who has arrived to replace two of the most important members of our squad (and Clichy) you ask? Why, 19 year old Costa Rican striker Joel Campbell of course, not to mention 18 year old winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and 19 year old right back Carl Jenkinson. The only summer signing thus far who is in a position to lay claim to a starting spot is Ivorian winger Gervinho, who arrived from French champions Lille for the princely sum of 12 million Euros.

What are the implications for the team of the loss of these high profile members from the squad? Well if the first few games are anything to go by, extensive. A midfield of Song, Ramsey and Rosicky (Wilshere is not yet fit to play) struggled to create anything at Newcastle, and the front three looked isolated. As the game progressed there was increasingly little movement in the centre of the field and players were consistently caught in possession simply because there was no one to pass to. Against Udinese it was much the same story: the same midfield started strongly but struggled to deal with a team who pressed them high up the pitch, and when Walcott scored after four minutes the game became an exercise in not conceding rather than adding to the lead.

In some respects the loss against Liverpool was actually the most promising. Defensively we were solid for most of the game, despite the youngster Jenkinson making his debut at right back while Sagna covered for the injured Gibbs on the left; Koscielny was also forced off with back spasms during the first half and was replaced by youngster Ignasi Miquel, but the Spaniard looked composed. Even more satisfyingly, Thomas Vermaelen, who might as well be a new signing considering the amount he played last season, had ponytailed ponce Andy Carroll safely tucked away in his pocket all game, dealing comfortably with countless balls played downfield or into the box. Excitable young midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong, who was deputising for Alex Song (retrospective 3 game ban for his stamp on Joey 'I'll stub a cigar out on a youth team player's eye but if slapped will roll around on the floor like someone's thrown acid in my face' Barton) looked like solid cover and was playing well until his deserved red card in the second half.

Even more pleasingly Wenger took a gamble on starting Samir Nasri and it paid off - the wantaway Frenchman showed real impetus and desire in taking the game to Liverpool and prior to Frimpong's second booking it was Arsenal who seemed the more likely to score. The red card was undeniably a game changer though, and a Liverpool goal seemed increasingly inevitable; in the end it was Aaron Ramsey who put the ball into the goal, albeit the wrong one, and the game was sewn up when Luis Suarez turned the ball into an unguarded net shortly afterwards.

It was a game which Arsenal probably didn't deserve to lose and while the pressure continues to mount on Wenger, we hope he'll feel buoyed by what he saw, and indeed heard; the only deregotory chant directed at him during the game was quickly drowned out by the rest of the stadium, and a few big signings before the transfer window snaps shut will at least convince doubters that the manager is doing everything he can to keep the team competitive. A creative central midfielder is a must, and whilst the central defensive pairing of Vermaelen and Koscielny looks solid, cover in the shape of the injured Djourou and the walking liability that is Sebastian Squirrelaci is insufficent, so a centre back should probably be on the shopping list. If Bendtner goes too then a decent striker (preferably one over 20 years old) will be needed. Above all Arsenal could use a player with a bit of experience in high-pressure situations, a calm head to counter balance the exuberance of youth.

Arsenal travel to Udinese on Wednesday to fight for their right to party in the premier European club competition this season; Gervinho and Song, both serving bans in domestic competitons will at least be fit, whilst Van Persie will return from his suspension left over from last season. The main point of interest will be Nasri; the way it's shaping up, if he plays, he's staying, no longer eligible to appear in Europe for his prospective pay-masters, Manchester City; if he's benched, the deal's probably still on. Watch this space.