Let’s start by saying that a 2-0 reverse at Germany’s second best club, in front of 65,000 vociferous fans, doesn’t represent a crisis in itself. The tempo and quality of Borussia Dortmund’s play would have left many top teams struggling. The German side reminded us of Liverpool at their fluent best last season, when they regularly destroyed sides with a first half bombardment that few could live with.
But it’s the déjà vu manner of the defeat which will leave so many Arsenal fans concerned that old problems haven’t been addressed. Yes the defence was poor at times but the main problem was how badly the back line was exposed by a lightweight midfield devoid of grit.
We have always been big admirers of Arsene Wenger but his utter blindness toward the need for a decent anchor man in midfield is way beyond a bad joke. It’s becoming a disgrace.
Arsenal’s need for an athletic destroyer in the side has been so obvious for so long that it’s simply astonishing that Wenger has failed to acquire one – he’s had ample opportunity over the last few years. He might argue that noone of requisite quality has been available at the right price. But his prudence only seems to extend to defensive-minded players.
Because Wenger has spent the thick end of £80m on attacking midfielders – Ozil and Sanchez – over the last year or so. Both could be called ‘luxury’ goods and the former seems to be getting worse by the week. Keeping Ozil and declining Fabregas looks like another massive oversight.
And those quality anchormen have surely been gettable. Any of Nigel De Jong, Morgan Schneiderlin, James McCarthy, Victor Wanyama, Sami Khedira or William Carvalho could have made Arsenal more difficult to play through. The don’t necessarily need a world-beater. They just need a specialist for that position to redress the balance.
It’s such an obvious weakness in Wenger’s football strategy that surely it’s time to start thinking about bringing in some fresh ideas. Would Roberto Martinez, for example, allow such a massive hole to exist in the midfield? Or would an anchorman be his first purchase? Arsenal have such talent going forward. But it’s utterly wasted by the neglect of the defensive departments.
Because these sorts of performances have occurred too many times against the big boys to be a coincidence. And they will persist until Arsenal improve the balance in their side. The lack of investment in an anchor man, along with another experienced centre back this summer, defies belief.
Wenger is clearly an honourable man. But, after seeing him ignore the calls of fans and pundits alike with regards the need for a defensive midfielder of real quality, we can’t help thinking that his pride is getting in the way of making an obvious improvement to his side.
Perhaps he doesn’t want to buy a defensive midfielder because he fears the barrage of ‘i told you so’ comments that will come with the immediate improvement that such an investment would bring. But if he doesn’t do the right thing soon then a big fall will surely ensue. Because Arsenal aren’t going to win anything of real note until they buy a proper midfield general.
Arsenal fans: Why on earth won’t Wenger buy such a player?
gooner4yuh
Sep 17, 2014 at 6:17 pm
spot on mate! the frustrating thing is if we’d have addressed these problem areas and got beat you could hold your hands up but like you’ve mentioned the problem has never been dealt with even though it’s been staring us in the face…absolutely ridiculous!!!
Stephen Qureshi
Sep 17, 2014 at 6:55 pm
He prefer to get the Sanogos, Eisfelds that Mr Bean lookalike prick.
Anthony
Sep 17, 2014 at 7:07 pm
Excellent piece. Can’t disagree with a single word. For Wenger not to have brought in defensive reinforcements and a DM in the transfer window beggars belief. He is also trying to shoehorn Ramsey, Jack and Ozil ( the last out of position on the wing) into the same team and it just doesn’t work. Oh for the ruthlessness of a Mourinho.
benjamin nwanze
Sep 17, 2014 at 7:09 pm
Honestly, it’s becoming something else in Arsenal. One begins to wonder who really is afraid in d board to tell Mr Wenger d truth that he is killing d team.Last night I wished we would been beaten like 5-0,maybe that would have convinced Mr Wenger that his ideas are damaging to d club.Pls,Wenger buy us a defensive midfielder or two,two world class defenders and at least a world class striker.Wenger, pls stop toying with fans emotions!
pate
Sep 17, 2014 at 7:22 pm
He is unlikely to be in the top 4 let alone win anything. The article is spot on.
Ibraheem
Sep 17, 2014 at 7:28 pm
Arsene wenger is mad for all those rubbish he is doing
ranj
Sep 17, 2014 at 7:35 pm
Our defence keeps going forward & we dont keep our shape. That’s probably because our forwards r not good enough. We should be playing like Athletico Madrid last season keeping 2 lines of 4 & the 2 up front at all times. A 0-0 draw last nite would have been better than the 2-0 defeat.
eddie
Sep 17, 2014 at 7:50 pm
Wenger is a disgrace to us
Taiye
Sep 17, 2014 at 8:24 pm
My dear AFC fans, king Wenger reigns! Welcome you all to another 3 yrs of heartace! Arsene wll not solve arsenal problems. He lack vision and tactical discipline to do so. Fire him! Take a man with vision. Sign a decent CB, a ruthless DM and a striker that can finish. The problem is over.
Gooner Festy
Sep 17, 2014 at 8:24 pm
We, the fans materially and emotionally invest in a club, players and managers come, make their money and go. Wenger and his players are all contractors, and the day they leave Arsenal, very few will have any emotional ties to the club. Nasri came and went, Fabregas came and went, Sagna came and went Clichy came and went, van Persie came and left with no remorse after years of injury at our cost, and so have many others. When they leave, they don’t look back. We never go, we never leave, we cry, we emotionally drain and financially deplete, but we hang on, we march on, we still support our club. Why shouldn’t we have a say in the running of the club? We need to rise up, Gooners!!! Wenger needs to answer some questions
MalawiGooner
Sep 17, 2014 at 8:25 pm
Wenger is too stubborn he does not listen to anyway. The Mr know it all kind of person. This is taking the club backwards i wish he cud just fail misarably so he can resign. The board too is not helpin us bcoz it does not give wenger any sort of pressure to make him deliver thats why he does anything he pleases. Wenger has lost it
jamescadar
Sep 17, 2014 at 8:39 pm
it baffuls me how wenger see how other teams take us for a ride and does nuffin. maybe he’s cared to make changes cos trust me mourinho will neva make such mistakes continueously without do something. yet some fans will still be trusting in him. fuck off wenger!
Danish Gooner
Sep 17, 2014 at 8:44 pm
He is in love with Abou Diaby and still think he will be a world beater,he would destroy 9 seasons in a row just to give Diaby another chance that is how stubborn the man is.
steve okafor
Sep 17, 2014 at 8:50 pm
wenger is a total disgrace,were are so sick about this man,this club is going down every day,
Rebo Ehwan
Sep 17, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Spot on! But does Wenger care? Afterall he says he does not read our comments. So the fans don’t matter. Afterall, whatever happens to Arsenal, the sheepish fans at North London will continue to follow, the cash will continue to flow into Wenger’s pockets, and so hell will not let lose!
Wolfgang
Sep 18, 2014 at 4:53 am
Wenger is the only manager playing in a predictable style.That’s why defenders are waiting in anticipation to stifl the gunners attack.
Furthermore he is investing in the future when season is more important.
As some fans have said the gunners shd not have won the cup.
Then he will have walked or will be fired. The defense is still an issue after
so many years. It’s about time Arsenal start looking for another to take over this guy’s job. You can bet the fax machine will go into overdrive and probably
crash.I say thanks for the wonderful times ,Wenger.