Arsenal Collapse by SG
I have been an Arsenal fan ever since they dominated English football, became the ‘invincibles’ and inspired a generation of young fans. In stark contrast now Arsenal has withered away and is clinging on to the past that was and the reputation of being a massive contender. Sadly Arsenal really have regressed year after year. It is clear that the top teams in Europe are way beyond the footballing ability of Arsenal.
Looking at the team Wenger assembled after the Invincibles, it is extremely sad that the board didn’t invest in the few players it needed at the time to make them truly successfull. It is quite ironic that for all the money they’ve thought they were saving it has actually cost them in the long term through a cumulative splurge on average players that have demonstrated they are simply not good enough. Whereas at the time when they needed maybe 1 or 2 world class signings of 30 million plus to complete the team, the board mindlessly choose to ignore the opportunity to grasp success. So ever since, slowly but surely, year after year, Arsenal have been decaying.
The same problems always exist within the squad. We always have the same criticisms every year, yet they are never confronted. I feel that Wenger has become a scapegoat for the board as they are more than happy to abuse the dedicated support of the fans and overcharge them for a delusion. There are so many flaws in the Arsenal team that defy the principles of basic football. Every year we ask why is there not a solid defensive midfielder, a powerful centre back and an out and out goal scorer (possibly Sanchez if only the team was up to that level). It always seems like Arsenal are happy to maintain a squad that is capable to stay in the glorified top four, which is no where near the ambition the fans expect.
This could be the year that this lack of drive and passion to be the best will cost Arsenal dearly. I hate to be so negative but it is to hard to be oblivious to the reality of the situation at Arsenal. The team is weak in too many areas, isn’t well balanced, is lacking in quality depth, never seems to have a game plan that is executed professionally for 90 minutes and doesn’t seem to have the passion to be champions.
The boards philosophy on the club is completely contradictory to that of the fans. Passion and football fuel the Arsenal fans, but it is money and so called stability that fuels the board. It is about time the fans stop accepting the top four and stability as compromise for success. The mentality of the board needs completely revolutionised. No football club has the divine right to be champions and always be regarded as that. The problem is, is that Arsenal have the capacity and the platform to be successful, but it is sadly never utilised.
kind regards,
Sean