Time for change at Arsenal Time for change at Arsenal

Time for change at Arsenal Time for change at Arsenal

Arsenal will never win silverware again while Arsene Wenger remains in charge. It is a bold statement, but I believe it to be the case. The last two seasons for the Gunners have followed a similar pattern: remain in the hunt until around March time, and then collapse from there on in.In 2010/11, the demise began with a shell-shocking last minute defeat at the hands of eventually relegated Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final. Following that came 90 minutes of futile shadow chasing at the Nou Camp as Arsenals Champions League exit was ratherpredictably confirmedand adepre sing performance at Old Trafford ended theirFA Cup challenge. The dust finally settled as Dirk Kuyt ran over to the Liverpool fans after his 102nd minute penalty at The Emirates in April, and the prospect of another trophyle s campaign became reality.A degree in quantum physics is not required to work out whyArsenal continue to fall short on D'Onta Foreman Jersey an annual basis. The current group of players simply havent got it in them to go that extra mile come the busine s end of the season. However, the root cause is Arsene Wenger, because he has failed to spend money on players that will enable his team to overcome the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea. Characters such as Tony Adams, Patrick Vieira, Martin Keown and to an extent Thierry Henry, the dre sing room leaders who were integral to Arsenals succe s in the late 90s and early 00s dont exist amongst the current squad. Those players have not been replaced and the blame for that undoubtedlyrests at the feet of Wenger.Each summer for the past 4 or 5 years,Wenger has been expected to go out and buy the two or three players needed for the Gunners to end their trophy drought and he hasnt delivered. To his credit, the profe sor has overseen some very shrewd busine s during his time as manager in North London, but the time for that has ran out and more to the point, Rashad Weaver Jersey so has the patience of the Arsenal fans. Over the course of the last three summer transfer windows, Wenger has splashed out 45m on first team players such as Samir Nasri, Andrey Arshavin, Thomas Vermaelen and Laurent Koscielny. All of those players have ability, but they all lack leadership and crucially, experience of knowing what it takes to consistently win Amani Bledsoe Jersey trophies. Thoseare the two areas where they languish behind ManUnited and Chelsea. Yes, they play arguably the best football in the country but Arsenal lack the mental toughne s to fulfil their ambition.Every year since the FA Cup triumph of2004 Wengerhas promised that it would be the year when his crop of young stars finally matureand start to dominate the English game and every year this scenario has not materialised. And in this particular year, 2011, it may be too little, too late. The players who were once youngsters with a future seemingly destined for succe s at Arsenal, are entering the prime of their careers and are beginning to seek challenges elsewhere. Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor jumped shipto Manchester City in 2009and they have now been joined by Gael Clichy.While the departures of the above mentioned players have been felt, none have left as great a void whichwould be created should CescFabregas leave forBarcelona, and after a threeyear saga, it looks as though that will be the situationArsenal are faced with thissummer. On top of that, Nasriis hesistating over signing a new contract and the thought ofhim joining his old chums at Man City,orworse,signingforUnitedreally doesnt bare thinking about from Arsenals persective. It is a very real prospect thattheGunnersmay arrive at Newcastle for their Premier League opener on August 13th without their talismanic captain and the at times majestic Nasri. The reason for this potential dilemma is the fact that these two players have realised that perhaps the opportunity for medals has faded away at The Emirates.Of Course, shouldFabregas and Nasribe sold, Arsenal will have plenty of money Nate Davis Jersey to spend on replacements. But this has always been the case, and as Ive explained Wenger has not utilised it in the past andits because of this, combined with Arsenals haple s end to last season, that his current stars are yearning for pastures new. The frenchmans transfer activity so far this summer has seen the talented but inexperienced 19-year old Carl Jenkinson arrive from Charlton, ina deal that reeks ofWengers seemingly failed strategy of continuously nurturing youth. Gervinho, the Ivory Coast winger,who certainly carriesbags of potential has also arrived for a fee of 12m from French champions Lille, but he is not the mi sing link who will bring the Premier League title to The Emirates.Based on these two signings, it still seems as if Wenger has no intention of spending big on a couple of star names who Anthony Firkser Jersey will take his team to the next level. It is looking increasingly likely that Arsenal will endure another trophyle s season in 2011/12 and should that occur then in 12 months it will surely be time for Wenger to move on and let someone else have a go at bringing glory back to the club.

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