Gambling is an integral part of football on the pitch. Players are constantly betting that they can force opponents into mistakes, create timely interceptions or make storming 60-yard runs to get on the end of crosses while leaving space behind them. On the downside there is the knowledge that if they're wrong, they can leave the team open to be scored upon but with matches lasting ninety minutes, losing bets made early on can be recouped at a later stage. Gambling off the pitch though is an entirely different proposition and Arsenal Football Club are currently making the two biggest wagers in their 120-year history - and they can't afford to lose. The first roll of the dice is Emirates Stadium. A fitting venue for one of the most forward thinking clubs in the world but it comes at a big, big price. The Ashburton Grove project has cost the North Londoners somewhere in the region of $730 million dollars. Simple economics dictate that it needs to be bursting at the seams every other weekend for the Premiership as well as enjoying deep long runs in cup competitions especially the Champions League. In the Arsene Wenger era over the last decade the team has become used to incredible success, however unless that continues, empty seats will become a reality, as a fickle public will want to support winners...not losers! The financial pressure is intense and many a club in the past has buckled to this fact plummeting to the depths of painful, suffocating debt. The question though is...can this team of kids assembled by the Frenchman become instant winners? Aside from a stirring run in the Champions League and the surprising development of some of these kids, last season was undoubtedly a disappointment as they squeaked 4th place in the Premiership on the last day of the season. When you consider the fact that the EPL is generally considered to be the toughest learning environment in the world, it's hard to see how the Gunners can expect to compete on a week-to-week basis. Seven of the players who appeared on Saturday in the shock but somehow not unexpected loss to Manchester City were 23-years-old or younger. With a combined 122 EPL starts between Cesc Fabregas (56), Robin van Persie (26), Emmanuel Eboue (13), Emmanuel Adebayor (13), Johan Djourou (8), Justin Hoyte (6) and Theo Walcott (0) it would take a very brave punter to throw down some cash on them winning anything for at least two seasons. Obviously Wenger is betting that his youngsters can mature in the course of the campaign much like Sir Alex Ferguson and his fledglings did way back in 1996 when Manchester United won the title. Die hard supporters will also claim that once the defensive injury crisis that currently bedevils the side becomes a distant memory, all this frailty nonsense will disappear however other than Lauren (152), inexperience defines the Arsenal back line as crocked Philippe Senderos (31), Gael Clichy (19) and Abou Diaby (9) have only 60 starts combined. This is why I believe the second roll of the dice by the Gunners will have season lasting ramifications. The Ashley Cole saga is now in its ninth month and it has become a 'must win' situation for the Arsenal board. The poker they are playing with Chelsea over the valuation of the England international is reaching critical status and with the transfer window about to close funds are desperately needed to buy a top quality defender. Supposedly the Gunners want close to $50 million dollars for their left back - in all honesty an extraordinary amount of money for a defender. The Blues though despite their riches are equally determined not to be taken to the cleaners and appear to have the ace card in that they do not need Cole after signing the versatile Dutch international, Khalid Boulahrouz as well as enjoying the benefits of a fit again, Wayne Bridge. There is a wild card in all this wheeling and dealing though and that is William Gallas. The Frenchman has fallen foul with Jose Mourinho and it seems his Stamford Bridge career is coming to a close. I believe that it is imperative for Wenger and Arsenal to make a deal and bring the vastly experienced 29-year-old Gallas to North London while sending Cole to West London with a somewhat reduced fee. A central partnership of Kolo Toure and Gallas is a sturdy proposition and with a few extra million lying around, the Professor can make his usual foray into the European transfer market and make those unknown signings he is so apt at doing. Whatever the outcome though, in my mind Wenger and Arsenal are gambling for today in the hopes of a big payout tomorrow. It's Vegas, North London style! Until then, get the beers in.