Arsene Wenger recently stated that he ‘understands the fans frustration.’
The Frenchman, who endured another trophyless season as Arsenal boss, was quoted on Arsenal TV saying:
‘The criticism has been sharper this year because of the people’s impatience.’
He went on to say that the Gunners do not require a major change at the club in order to bring home some silverware, despite fighting on four fronts before losing a Carling Cup final to Birmingham City, being dumped out of the F.A Cup and Champions League in the space of a week, and eventually, ending fourth place in the Premier League – 12 points behind Champions Manchester United.
However, Wenger said that there is nothing wrong with the philosophical approach of the club, and that only a few tweaks need to be made during the summer break.
‘People love what we do but they want us to be rewarded so that they can be convinced we do things the right way. They want proof that we do things the right way.’
For most, if not all, Arsenal fans, the frustration was that the Gunners were so close to convincing everybody that with great football comes success. However, they were unable to deliver the goods. Wenger said:
‘It was cruel and sometimes you get excessive responses to that.’
‘I share that and understand it. But that doesn’t mean we have to change our philosophy or the way the club is run.’
‘We get it 95 per cent right, but we must gain that 5% because it’s so frustrating to flirt with success like we have done.’
But are we really just 5% off, or is it more?
In 2003, Arsenal were also the best travelling team in the Premier League, but still ended up with nothing.
Wenger highlighted the poor run in April, which saw his side pick up just two points from three matches, ultimately ending their title challenge, despite being happy with the players’ approach and their away form.
In my opinion, their approach and attitude vanished in some games, and what was most disappointing for me was that when the team needed to push on, they didn’t. They never showed the nerves and commitment in some games, which led to dropped points.
Arsenal conceded a total of 41 goals this season, a clear sign of weakness in otherwise a strong team. The absence of strong centre-back Thomas Vermaelen for most of the season certainly didn’t help the cause either.
Wenger believes that most of the problems came from ‘set-pieces’ as usual and identified the need for taller defenders if they are to challenge for silverware next season.
If this is the case, then why not sign Per Mertesacker from Werder Bremen. I’m sure he would love to play for Arsenal and is a very tall defender that Wenger is seeking.
I hope Arsene Wenger is 100% sure we get it right 95% of the time, because any doubt seen in him will be channelled into the teams approach and performances.
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just because pers mersacker is tall don’t mean he be right for our game, does it.
wenger not wrong when he says we about 5% short of being successful, last summer fans were on these blogs saying arsenal would’t even get into europe this coming season, and will finish half way down table, yes we had a poor april but thats all, and yet we were all thinking the title was thier for the taking, does’t matter if wenger should or should not off brought someone in, at the jan sales, the fact is it was season where we never got the luck we deserved in some games, barcelona only beat us when we went down to 10 men, before that they look ordinary. birmingham got lucky with two goals in cup final yet their keeper got man of the match award?same as man utd beating us in fa cup, they got the run of the ball and we did’t yet thier keeper was again named man of the match.
we do miss a killer instinct i agree, but i believe we’re very very close to success.
Wenger must be having a laugh, where only 5 percent away. In my opinion I think we are about 30-40 persent away. Ok, Arsenal play attractive football but what we really lack to win the premiership is strength, grit, leadership, quality and experienced players and most importantly passion. Without these qualities and personnel Arsenal won’t win the premiership for a very long time.