Arsenal may mathematically still be in contention for the Premier League title. But the prospect of a sixth season without any silverware looms large. The cupboard remains bare. The clamour from the supporters is reaching a crescendo.
Arsene Wenger's philosophy has been called into question once again. But the script was written at the start of the season. Thomas Vermaelen was ruled out of the campaign, but a world-class centreback wasn't forthcoming. Even though goals seemed to dry up, a world-class striker was nowhere on the agenda. Mooting for a goalkeeper with proven pedigree still echoes around the Emirates. Nothing much has changed since 2005. It's not to say Wenger's policy is a failure. But there are flaws. And those flaws have come at a price. Sadly, the only person on the planet to disregard the evidence is Wenger himself. It would be a shame to see him leave. And he shouldn't. But then, this must be the time he owns up his fallibility and rings in the changes that are to create the blueprint for Arsenal's quest for silverware, going into the new season.
Arsenal's woes that have surfaced lately haven't been any different from six seasons ago. When Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry walked out the door followed in tow by Gilberto Silva, Arsenal lost the soul of a team that strolled through a Premier League season unbeaten. Dennis Bergkamp's retirement signalled the loss of another leader. The reinforcements – if any – didn't measure up to the credentials of the departed, and the signs were ominous. It was almost as if Wenger tried to fit a Ford engine into a Rolls Royce. Sooner than later, the frailties would be brutally exposed. The litany of failures that followed only confirmed that fear.
Arsenal caved in at Bolton on Easter Sunday with more to suggest that the team was running on empty. Fleeting passages of brilliance for long periods but displaying the threat of a shark in a sand-pit has been the drift for the last few games. Wenger must now cast a cursory glance in the direction of the Board Room after yet another season laid bare the case for fresh investment in the squad. And while inquests are to be encouraged, it's hard to imagine Wenger will move away from his principles even in the face of regressing credibility. He holds his head up high with only glowing reviews for his underperforming team. But the smoke is there for all to see.
Wenger is a smart enough man to realise that his project has a few short-comings. If he is stubborn enough to ignore this fact, it sadly is time he left. What we need are a few experienced players with a winning mentality but more importantly we need to get rid of the players who contribute to a complacent environment in the dressing room. Just new players will not help anymore - something more drastic needs to change. Whether its mindsets, attitudes, leader figures, players, etc, its the managers call and the manager has to take a call because enough is enough! There are some players in there who justify the manager's faith but there are some who absolutely don't and deserve to be shipped out with no more chances.
ReplyDeleteThis has been a truly frustrating and saddening season for Arsenal fans in the way we have watched our team consistently under perform, throw away significant leads, fail to finish the hundreds of chances we create, fail to take the opportunities when ManU slipped up etc, etc.
We have conceded every kind of silverware achievable this season and I hope Mr. Wenger accepts his failures and fills the glaring gaps in this team.
Let this summer be a summer of CHANGE !
Come on you Arsenal !
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ReplyDeleteWell said Dane. It's time Bendtner, Eboue, Diaby, Almunia, Fabianski, Squillaci n Chamakh were shown the door. Don't suppose Arashavin ought to be part of Wenger's scheme of things either. Need that world-class striker to fetch us 20 goals a season and a solid centreback who can string everyone together. Someone like Sol Campbell. But not Campbell himself. LoL. Would love to see someone like Scott Parker or Wesley Sneijder in the middle of the park too.
ReplyDeleteAfter todays game, i know its pointless to even think about the league. But atleast some joy that we beat United and satisfaction that we've made it difficult for them in their run for the title. Now hoping for the best next season & praying that our future signings will win us some trophies.
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