Arsenal

The Gunners have seen another season pass by without a trophy and it will be just as difficult next year following the emergence of Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa.

All three clubs, along with Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool, are expected to spend big again in the summer and Wenger needs to be given the cash to compete with them.

The Frenchman is said to be closing in on the signing of Bordeaux striker Marouane Chamakh who is set to arrive on a free transfer, but it will take more than that to strike fear into their rivals.

Serious money needs to be spent and although chief executive Ivan Gazidis says Wenger will be backed in the transfer market, but the chances are the Frenchman will once again have to be shrewd.

“Arsenal have not had access to the deep pockets of a wealthy investor and we have focused on a path of independence underpinned by a sustainable business model for long-term success,” he revealed.

“With Highbury Square coming to completion and some of our other property developments bearing fruit, we’re now coming to a period where the financial health of the club is secure. That does not mean we have unlimited resources but it does mean we have sufficient funds to invest.”

Scoring goals is not a problem but defence is an area that definitely needs work with William Gallas set to leave on a free transfer, while Mikael Silvestre and Sol Campbell could also be on the way out.

Wenger wants Bolton defender Gary Cahill but it remains to be seen whether he will be able to stump up the £17m that Bolton will be asking for, while Manchester United and Chelsea are also said to be keen.

A new goalkeeper could also be on the agenda as Manuel Almunia has struggled this season while there appears to be no real back up with Lukasz Fabianski blowing every opportunity he gets.

Next season is huge for Arsenal. Star man Cesc Fabregas will only hang around for so long and if the Gunners cannot mount a serious push for domestic and European glory then he is sure to consider his future.

Wenger may struggle to keep hold of him this summer but he will be fighting a losing battle in 12 months time unless the Gunners win some silverware and fast.

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Germany

Low revealed he contacted the Schalke goal-getter on Monday to inform him he will not be going to South Africa.

Kuranyi has been overlooked by Low ever since stormed out of the Westfalenstadion in Dortmund before the final whistle after being omitted from the match-day squad for the qualifier against Russia in October 2008.

However, his 18 Bundesliga goals for the Royal Blues this season have led to a clamour for his recall to the national side.

Germany icon Franz Beckenbauer urged Low to make the peace with the Brazil-born forward to give ‘Die Mannschaft’ best possible chance of winning football’s biggest international prize for the fourth time.

However, Low said a clash of personalities had nothing to do with his decision to omit the free-scoring 28-year-old.

“The disciplinary incident in October 2008 was not a consideration recently,” Low said in a press release from the German Football Association (DFB).

“It would have been no problem for us to give him a new chance in the national team.

“However, after consideration among our coaching staff we came to the conclusion that we had other ideas, tactically and personnel-wise, for the composition of the World Cup squad.

“This I discussed today frankly with Kevin, who has had a strong season and whom I think is a player of sound character.”

The decision means three-time winners Germany must pin their hopes on the likes of Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich and Stefan Kiessling of Bayer Leverkusen.

Bayern pair Klose and Gomez have scored 10 and three league goals respectively, while Kiessling has fared better than Kuranyi with 21.

Kuranyi said he was bitterly disappointed by Low’s decision but wished the national team every success this summer.

“Like every footballer, I dreamed from when I was a little boy of being able to play in a World Cup,” said the striker, who also missed out on a place in Jurgen Klinsmann’s squad for the 2006 tournament.

“This dream has now burst for a second time.

“Therefore it is clear that this decision makes me very sad.”

Germany kick off their World Cup Group D campaign against Australia in Durban on June 13 (8/15 Germany 13/5 draw 9/2 Australia – match betting).

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