Arsène Wenger has always been a believer in footballers who emerged out of Africa. With Emmanuel Eboué widely expected to follow Emmanuel Adebayor and Kolo Touré out of the Emirates this summer, there appears to be more to Arsenal's sales than a welcome windfall, not to mention the obvious convenience of knowing his squad will not be overly disrupted by the African Cup of Nations.

Wenger is an expert at selling players he wants to offload at a time that suits him, even if the players feel like they are the ones getting what they want. There is something ruthlessly strategic about his willingness to do business on Adebayor, Touré, and in all probability Eboué, who capered through a half of Arsenal's 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid. In one fell swoop, it diffuses the three major areas of conflict within the camp.

The tension between Adebayor and Nicklas Bendtner has never been particularly helpful. Then there is the mutual appreciation society involving Touré and William Gallas, which manifested itself in a winter crisis that saw the Frenchman stripped of the captaincy and the Ivorian slapping in a transfer request. Eboué's discord is rather more general, considering he managed to alienate the club's fans, who turned on him last term.

Adebayor, Touré and Eboué led a clique inside the dressing room, with Alexandre Song the junior partner. It is natural that men from a similar cultural background should connect and spend time in each other's company, but at times the group seemed a little too exclusive for comfort.

Song, easily the most improved performer at the club last season, is not seen as expendable by Wenger, but he is likely to be the only survivor.

Dealing with the situation so firmly is not ideal for a man who has always been a big supporter of African football, and has had a number of outstanding professionals from the continent under his wing – from George Weah, the striker he helped to become the World Player of the Year, to the three members of 2004 unbeaten champions – Patrick Vieira, Lauren and Touré, who was a dependable servant of Arsenal until he contracted malaria and visibly lost some of his usual sharpness.

Wenger is being predictably coy about what the funds he has generated will be used on, although he is pretty firm that it would not go on any attackers. There is no doubt that the squad is top heavy, with more quality and quantity in offensive than defensive positions. The most punchy of them all here was Andrey Arshavin, who seized upon two late chances with impudence to win the game, and demonstrated why class is worth every penny. "He has what you can't give to a player, he understands when there is danger," said Wenger.

So, too, did the youngest player on the pitch, Jack Wilshere, whose every touch was greeted with unabashed excitement from the Emirates crowd. Having seen Wilshere beef up over the summer, Wenger confirmed the boy is ready to start some games this term. "He is 17 years old, but has matured enough to compete already," assessed Wenger. "He has more power to take people on."

On the subject of more experienced heads, Wenger insisted that what signings he does make will happen sooner rather than later, which is saying something for the master of the deadline-day deal. Unless there are any "accidents" he intends to have his squad completed, and tuned, for the first game of the season.

The importance of a strong start is not lost on anyone. "We have Man United, Everton and Man City away in the first four games," Wenger smiled. "The team is conscious of a difficult start, but very determined to do well."

With that in mind, the question of whether a man of Vieira's stature would be present is moot. One thing is certain. The two men know each other so well that all it takes is a phone call to establish two essential home truths: Wenger needs to be sure that Vieira's knee can withstand enough Premier League football to make it worthwhile.

And Vieira needs to be sure he will see enough action to go to the World Cup as France's captain.

But the "psychological impact", as Wenger described it, of such a signing is a win-win. He cannot always rely on the impudence of Arshavin.