All we need to do is look at Barcelona

While they are a team  I hate with a passion, I must admit that they are the perfect role models for our trophy- less team. I don't hate them because they have won a lot in recent seasons or because they play beautiful football, I hate them for their tapping up of Fabregas, their disrespectful comments about our club- a club with a great history to be very proud of, and for their cheating on the pitch (waving imaginary cards, diving and surrounding the referee).

But, they are a similar team to us, one with similar philosophies and we only need to look at them for inspiration and faith in our policy and our quest for trophies. I have looked at the Spanish records and Barcelona went on a run between 1999 and 2005 of not winning anything. Not the Spanish league, not the Spanish cup, not the Champions league, not the Spanish league cup, not the annual Spanish raffle.

So that's six years without a trophy. Let me think, who does that remind me of? Hmm, let's see, oh yeah, Arsenal. We have gone six years without a trophy whilst we have invested in youth such as Fabregas, van Persie, Walcott, Song and Wilshere but to name a few. Just like Barcelona did in between 99 and 05. This was the time when Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Pique and Messi were coming through, at different stages just like our lads and their investment in youth has proven successful.

I'm surprised at how similar the two situations are. The likes of Fabregas, Wilshere and Ramsey need only look at that team and think 'that could be us in a few years, there's no need to panic about lack of trophies in recent years, look at Barcelona's records'. There is plenty of reason for faith and we have plenty of talent in our squad to achieve something like Barcelona in the years to come, and our chances will be enhanced if the likes of Fabregas and Nasri stay and show their belief in this team of very talented players. And we couldn't ask for a better manager to guide us towards similar achievements in Arsene Wenger. We also have the financial stability that Barcelona don't have, therefore it's not just a short term plan,it's a long term one.

Barcelona- 1999-2005   NO TROPHIES

Arsenal- 2005- 2011   NO TROPHIES