ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS: Delays Hurt the Gunners' Chances

Slow and steady may not win the race for Arsenal this season.

Manager Arsene Wenger just lost Cesc Fabregas and appear to be on the verge of losing Samir Nasri, while the club doesn't seem to be anywhere near adding replacements before the August 31st deadline.

Nasri reminded Twitter followers that he is still on the club, and that's not good news. His presence is a distraction at this point, and he has yet to be match-fit for any upcoming Arsenal matches.

With Jack Wilshere currently injured, and no back-up for defensive midfielder Alex Song, the midfield is in disarray. It doesn't help that Arsenal hasn't found an experienced replacement for Gael Clichy at left back, and are on the verge of transferring right back Emmanuel Eboue before centre back has been upgraded.

With 21-year-old Wojciech Szczesny in goal, Arsenal could certainly use experienced and hard-nosed defenders in front of him.

The season has already started, and Arsenal seem to have already reverted to their old ways. On Saturday, the Gunners fell to Newcastle, a club they were clearly outplaying. Like last season, Arsenal failed to execute on their scoring chances, and didn't get any help from poor officiating that resulted in a Gervinho red card, and no punishment for instigator Joey Barton.

Meanwhile, two Champions League matches loom against Udinese, and a Premier League home match with Liverpool awaits on Saturday.

In short, Arsenal need reinforcements and need them now.

For nearly the entire summer, Phil Jagielka, Gary Cahill, Christopher Samba, and Scott Dann were rumoured to join the Gunners, but there is still no deal in place for any of them. Everton reportedly rejected the first offer for Jagielka, and Arsenal appeared to have gone below market value for Dann.

As for midfielders, no efforts seem to be in place to add Spaniard Juan Mata or Brazilian Jadson. The Independent recently reported that Arsenal would make a £12 million move for Jadson, but Wenger has previously stated that the 27-year-old attacking midfielder is not in their plans.

Lille's Eden Hazard appears to be the most logical target, but there has been no word about an offer for the young Belgian star. Mario Gotze of Borussia Dortmund, Douglas Costa of Shakhtar, Alan Dzagoev of CSKA Moscow, Mathieu Valbuena of Marseille, and Adel Taarabt of Queens Park Rangers, are other possibilities, but for now it's pure speculation for such players to move to Emirates.

Metro reported that Arsenal could pursue Sochaux midfielder Marvin Martin and Marseille winger Andre Ayew. There has also been talk of Costa Rican midfielder Bryan Ruiz joining the Gunners.

Arsenal have the impending sales for Emmanuel Eboue and Nicklas Bendtner which are likely to pull a total of roughly £13 million. On top of the amount that the club received for Fabregas, and the sum they can expect from Nasri, there is plenty to spend on upgrades at midfielder and centre back.

The season is in the balance. It's time for Arsenal management to stop procrastinating and start spending.