Wenger to change his ways?
Another trophy-less season for Arsenal has left both supporters and pundits asking the same old question: will Arsene Wenger finally deviate from his strict devotion to youth and spend the funds that are readily available?
For the fifth season in a row, the Gunners, one of the Premiership’s most entertaining and eye-catching teams, came up empty handed. Exits in both the FA Cup and the Champions League semi finals to Chelsea and Manchester United respectively have left the Arsenal faithful disillusioned and hurt. Some of the more ardent supporters have even aimed their anger at the most successful manager in the club’s history, Arsene Wenger.
At the club’s last annual general meeting, supporters voiced their concern over the club’s performances this season and prospects for the future while lambasting Wenger for not bolstering a squad which last summer lost so many of its key players to ‘bigger’ clubs. Now, just four weeks into the summer transfer season, the club’s most talented individuals are being vigorously pursued by the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, fuelling sentiment that Wenger will once again lose key players and be left with an immature, inexperienced side ill-equiped to win silverware.
Trophyless for five seasons, is Arsene starting to feel the heat?
Arsenal’s defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates in the CL revealed their vulnerability in defence and lack of strength in midfield, two areas of the pitch that Wenger failed to reinforce following the departures of Alexander Hleb, Matthieu Flamini and Phillipe Senderos last season, let alone Henry, Viera and Pires in previous seasons.
With significant portions of the club’s ownership now in the hands of Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov and American sports financier Stan Kroenke, a plethora of funds must be available. Up to this point only a young, unproven Thomas Vermaelen has been linked with a move to North London and supporters are beginning to grow wary of whether Wenger can part from his stubborn ways and whip out the cheque book.
What Arsenal need is to dip in to the transfer market and compete for the signatures of the best – the established, powerful and successful professionals. These players can bring back the success enjoyed under the ‘Invincibles’ and the glorious double winning sides, injecting life back into a club that plays some of the most scintillating football in Europe. One thing is certain; without a strengthened midfield and defence, as well as a replacement for the ever-ready to depart Emmanuel Adebayor, Arsenal look to be heading for their sixth straight trophy-barren campaign.
The Invincibles - Stylish and Successful
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We at Footy Factor would like to thank A.M. Dupee, an Arsenal fan in London, for submitting this article.
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I just read somewhere that Van Persie might be sold to ManU? Is this for real? What’s going on in North London?
Benzema! Benzema! Benzema! Benzema!
I bet the Arse will be much better next year anyway – with Rosicky coming back and Arshavin continuing to get better. I’m sure Wenger’s thinking the same thing, which means he’ll be more willing to sit out this transfer period.
More claptrap from the ill-informed. The team will be good this year. Wenger’s the best around. We are so close to winning the Champions League.
Out with the old and in with the new. The voyeur must go!!!
van persi,or ribery or villa please please
Arsene is angry because the Board have failed, once again, to come clean with exactly how much money he has to spend. It’s just £13m!!
Despite all these so called “rich” investors they don’t have control over the club and aren’t willing to put in £20m each until they either of them gets control . What is Wenger supposed to do with £13m. He needs to buy 3 quality players – one more in defense, one defensive midfield who can also play attack (like Flaminni) and an all out attacking midfield that can tackle and head the ball.
So you are looking at players aged around the 23-24 mark… ain’t going to buy 3 players for £13m – £30m maybe.
As Wenger has said many times – he will not buy a player just because he has “some” money to spend – why waste it on a player that just won’t fit. There is a certain Portuguese attacking midfielder (not CR) I know he would like but he is going to cost £15m
Give Wenger a break (and some credit) – Arsenal still made Champion’s League next year, still made it to two semi-finals despite having less money that Aston Villa, Everton and Man City.
And it’s trophy-less for 4 seasons not five.