What is worse? Admitting that the professional players lack the level of focus and application to apply simple football theory of defending, or implementing a new defensive routine with a back four formation that is itself new in compostion from game to game? Which ever the case, what I have long predicted in countless blogs, is that Arsene Wenger’s legacy will be permanently damaged if he fails to take account of a few basic home truths. I am predicting that if we fail to make the top four this season, Arsene Wenger will resign his post as Manager of Arsenal Football Club at the end of the season.
Sack Primorac
No-one living on this planet can actually understand why the first team coach responsible for playing strategy and application of routines from the training ground, is actually still allowed to have the title first team coach. On the evidence of our own eyes, mature professional football players, quite able to play fluent defensive football under their own National coaches, or their previous Clubs, seem incapable of applying those skills when they come to Arsenal.
This Bosnian coach is wedded to Arsene Wenger and has presided over the worst starting record of the first team in many seasons. Whilst he is not responsible for the quality of player introduced to the squads. What is blatantly obvious is that under his influence, they seem incapable of applying the basic defensive skills. If Arsene Wenger refuses to take action then serious questions must be asked of Arsene Wenger’s right to continue as Arsenal Manager.
Employ Arsenal Legends
Perhaps what was more perplexing than to see Patrick Vieira going to coach Manchester City, was the rumoured reason why he chose them and not his former Arsenal. Some say money was the issue, but might it also be that our former ex-skipper is disillusioned with the intransigence of either Arsene Wenger or Boric Primorac when it comes to changing old ways? Surely we could have matched Manchester City’s offer in wages? At the club we have Martin Keown and Steve Bould, legendary centre backs who would never have made such glaring defensive mistakes. Why not now employ a defensive coaching unit dedicated to getting back to a secure formation whether it be on set pieces or routine play.
Make sensible substitutions
I cannot for the life of me understand why Aaron Ramsey who was doubtful in fitness terms was not brought off, instead Arsene Wenger chose to bring of Song. Ou main defensive midfielder. Unless he was badly injured, this was an absolute own goal waiting to happen. Not for the first time has our substitution policy been questioned in terms of timing or the players asked to come off. I have seen our only potent goal scorer and Captain substituted in almost every game. is Robin van Persie carrying an injury? I cannot recall the last time that a club captain was substituted quite so regularly. Time was when the club captain was the last player to leave the field.
Sort it out
Quite frankly Arsene, I was relieved to hear you accept quite humbly that the players failed to focus for every minute and made basic defensive errors not worthy of their status. Anything less would have been bordering upon insulting the fans of Arsenal Football Club. If we had not beaten Swansea and drawn with Newcastle, we would be happily propping up the Premier League as we now possess the worst goal difference. Five games in and the thought of playing Tottenham with this form makes my blood run cold. Arsenal fans pay the highest season ticket prices for this? Someone at the club needs to sort this out. Find a solution because our hope of being in the top four at the end of the season could be well over by the time the January transfer window opens, and we will then have to deal with a depleted squad as key members depart for the African Cup of Nations.
Enough is Enough
I cannot defend Arsenal Board in the shape of Ivan Gazidis who has presided over the decline in the fortunes of Arsenal Football Club. He has defended an inept Self sufficiency model and now needs to carry the responsibility. If we fail to make the top four this season, then he too should receive his P45. For how can the man justify taking close on two million pounds in salary when the Club’s reputation is at it’s lowest level for many years. It happened on your watch Ivan, so be a man and accept your portion of the blame.
Many fans are calling for the head of Arsene Wenger. This is quite justifiable for long suffering fans who pay alot of their hard earned wages to follow and support the club. I would also call for Arsene Wenger to leave if it could be proved that,
1. He is resistant to sacking his first team coach.
2. He has had sufficient funds to pay the wages of new transfers, not just the transfer fees.
3. He has resisted bringing in Defensive coaches.
4. His “A” list of transfer targets were acquired this season.
What Arsene Wenger cannot do is now say that things will come good and we have to be patient. With every defeat comes a realisation that the minnows of the Premier League will believe that Arsenal can not only be beaten, but lack the mental strength to recover. Blackburn Rovers were mediocre, but with a lot of bad luck and poor defensive play we made them look good. If nothing changes, we don’t stand a chance of making the top four, so enjoy this Champions league Campaign whilst you can, for it may be your last.
BEHOLD THE MIGHTY FALLEN…
Herbert Chapman must be rolling in his grave.
p.s. This blog has been written in a cybercafe as my Laptop is in intensive care courtesy of Microsoft and I do not have another PC, so sorry for not writing TGIF last week!
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