Like it or not, Arsenal might be better off if he leaves

With news of Eduardo setting off, talk of Little Jack staying here next season and Tomas Rosicky playing a part in the Barnet friendly, Wenger seems to be fine-tuning the attacking options in our squad to suit the current 4-3-3 system. The formation seems set to stay, and although I've voiced my concerns in the past about us dropping the old 4-4-2, I'm feeling slightly reassured by our preparations for the new campaign. Barcelona may be talking about class and respect via Carles Puyol's pedestal/cave as part of their latest Cesc Fabregas media pack, but at this club we've learnt not to put square pegs in round holes.

The selection of players at Wenger's disposal last season wasn't fully suited to the new strategy (this became clear as soon as Robin van Persie picked up his injury) and Eduardo seemed to be the biggest casualty of our switch in tactics. Now, with three tall strikers each expected to lead the line alone, link up play with the midfield and feed off the flanks, there doesn't seem to be a place for a forward in the Eduardo mould - an adept finisher who is at his best in a striking partnership alongside a target man. He looked uncomfortable cutting in from the wings, and didn't seem to provide the kind of service to our main striker that we might expect from Nasri or Arshavin.

I am a big fan of Eduardo and wish that things could have turned out differently for him at the Emirates, as he really seemed capable of becoming that missing ingredient when he joined back in 07-08. Sadly, as we are reminded far too often as Arsenal fans, there doesn't seem to be a place for technically proficient attacking players in domestic games where simpletons who weren't even good enough for the England defence are concerned, and now there doesn't seem to be a role in our new set-up which can get the best out of Eduardo. I'll be sorry to see him leave, but I think he's making the right decision in going and I hope he can get back to his best at Shakhtar.

In addition to Carlos Vela - for whom the jury is still out regarding a place on the left wing - the players in our squad who are more accustomed to flanking the strikers will benefit from Eduardo's departure. Rosicky has shown signs in recent months that he may be close to a return to form, and he will almost certainly see more playing time if he can stay fit. Unlike last year, Walcott didn't get up to much over the summer and should be fresh in a month's time, while Samir Nasri will have a point to prove to Raymond the poodle after his bizarre exclusion from the France squad. Best of all, we might not have to watch Andrei Arshavin play as a target man again.