How did your side do in the transfer window? Matthew Galea investigates...

The transfer window is an intriguing period for football managers and fans - but how did your club do? Is your team stronger than it was this time last year? Or have you suffered lost your key star players?

Arsenal

It would take a brave man to argue that Arsenal are in a stronger position now than last season. There have been a number of departures from the Emirates this summer, with Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Eboue, Niklas Bendtner and Denilson all leaving in conjunction with the massive losses of Samir Nasri and ex-captain Cesc Fabregas. The loss of the little experience Arsenal laid claim to showed disastrously at Old Trafford last week, but Arsenal fans can take respite in Wenger’s deadline day activity. Andre Santos and Per Mertesacker  are both much needed additions to the Arsenal defense, whilst Yossi Benayoun and Mikel Arteta provide some much needed Premier League experience to Arsenal’s young and somewhat fragile midfield. Arsenal still aren’t as strong as they were last season, but they have at least put themselves back in contention for a top four spot.

Score – 7

Aston Villa

Another club that had to recover from the loss of a number of key players, most notably Stewart Downing and Ashley Young who left Villa for Liverpool and Manchester United respectively. The loss of star keeper Brad Friedel has been covered by the arrival of Shay Given and Charles N’Zogbia will help to replace the natural width and directness of Downing and Young. Alan Hutton and Jermaine Jenas are both fine footballers on their day, but aren’t the players the Villain fans would have been hoping for as they look to improve on last season’s efforts which saw them finish in ninth place.

Score – 6

Blackburn

After beating relegation by four points last term, the summer was the perfect opportunity for the Venkys to win over the fans with some serious action in the transfer market. The purchase of David Goodwillie will not have been the signing fans hoped for, however the signings of Simone Vuckevic and Radoslave Petrovic could prove to be very astute. Vuckevic comes to Ewood Park with a good amount of European experience, whilst Petrovic has comes to England on the back of three impressive seasons in Serbia. The addition of Scott Dann should help cover the loss of Phil Jones, whilst Blackburn fans will also be thrilled to have kept Chris Samba, even if they have had to say goodbye to our own Brett Emerton who returns to the A-League.

Score – 7

Bolton

Bolton typically carried out their business in a quiet fashion as they welcomed no less than eight players. Bolton released Johan Elmander and Jlloyd Samuel as well as a number of others, but with the addition of promising youngster, Chris Eagles, as well as the experienced heads of Nigel Reo-Coker and Tuncay Sanli Bolton fans can be content with the summer’s action. The signing of David N’Gog is perhaps a little underwhelming, leaving Bolton bereft of quality in striking positions, a problem Coyle might find himself scrambling for a solution for in January.

Score – 6.5

Chelsea

A rather quiet summer from the London giants, perhaps their biggest acquisition was manager Andre Villa-Boas. Deadline day signing Raul Meireless, Juan Mata and Roman Lukaku, who didn’t make Chelsea’s Champions League squad, are the only additions to Chelsea’s senior squad as they look to close the nine point gap by which they finished second last season. Chelsea have yet to really impress this season, and whilst they remain a strong side, it is questionable as to whether or not their summer business will be enough alone for Chelsea to win a second Premier League trophy in three years. Despite that, Juan Mata could set the Premier League alight.

Score – 7

Everton

It’s been another long and hard summer for David Moyes as he struggles to keep Everton performing as well as they do despite a lack of funds and the need to sell his best players. Moyes held onto Marouane Fellaini, but the loss of Mikel Arteta and Jermaine Beckford makes this season’s Everton squad, which included only 18 senior players, look even thinner than usual. There is a glimmer of hope in the form of largely unknown Denis Stracqualursi who enjoyed a highly prolific season last year for Tigre, scoring 21 goals in 38 games, whilst the surprise signing of Royston Drenthe on loan from Real Madrid could also prove to be a good one for the Everton faithful. However it won’t paper over the fact that this summer has been a bad one.

Score – 5

Part two will follow tomorrow...