It’s a massive week for Arsenal, with the transfer window in it’s dying moments, and Gooners everywhere hoping that time hasn’t run out on Arsenal’s season even before it has really begun. The shocking reality is that, by this time next week, Arsenal can be out of one competition, with there hopes severely damaged in another competition.

Long though the Premier League season may be, taking one point out of a possible nine would make for quite a steep hill to climb. This young squad has much to look forward to, but unfortunately they are being asked to step up to the challenge now. It’s rather upsetting that this Arsenal squad is forced to rely so heavily on teenagers, even though they have such tremendous potential.

One of these young players is defender Ignasi Miguel, who made his debut this Saturday against Liverpool. Miguel was not a planned substitution, but injury to Laurent Koscielny early in the match saw the young Spaniard make his first Premier League appearance.

“I am happy to have made my debut but obviously we wanted to win,” said Miguel.

“When I saw [Laurent] Koscielny going down I thought that it was going to be nothing special, they just told me to warm up quickly and then I saw he was coming off. I’ve never expected it, I didn’t realise until I was on the pitch playing.”

I felt Miguel did a great job filling in, as far as debut’s go, it doesn’t get much bigger than at home against Liverpool. Miguel showed great understanding of the game and formed an instant partnership with Vermaelen, and together they effectively shut down the threat of Andy Carroll.

Ignasi Miguel is definitely one that can benefit Arsenal this season, and after a great showing for Spain in the U19 EURO, he has continued to demonstrate why he is one of the hottest defensive prospects in Europe.

Another Arsenal prospect who has continued to impress is Polish keeper Wojciech Szczesny. At 21 years of age, Szczesny has staked his claim to being first choice for Arsene Wenger in the goalkeeping department. While most of us are very happy to see Arsenal find a ‘permanent’ solution to it’s goalkeeping issues, one person who hopes it isn’t permanent is backup keeper Lukasz Fabianski.

“I am fighting hard, really hard,” he told Arsenal Player. “Since we came back from Germany I can say I have been fully fit. Now I am ready to play.

“It has been a difficult time for me because I was No 1 last year and I lost it due to my injury. Now I am fit again but Wojciech is doing well. Of course I am not happy with my position because I want to be No 1 but I have to accept it and fight for it. I am fighting really hard to get where I was before.”

It’s great to hear that Fabianski is determined to fight for his place in the squad, and I’ve always felt a bit sorry for Lukasz. He did well with his chance last season, and it was unfortunate for him that he suffered that long lay-off. Unfortunately for him, Szczesny has seized upon his opportunity with both hands, and I think it will be an uphill battle for Fabianski to find his way back to first choice.

I love to hear his determination, and it strikes me as an attitude that more Arsenal players need to adopt. Denilson and Bendtner especially stick out in the mind as players who struggled to find places in the squad, but who have not shown the determination to fight for a spot. This young squad has tons of talent for the future, but they must EARN their way into the team, not be handed starting positions on a platter. That’s the way to build a winning squad, something Arsenal must do quickly, and on the fly this season.