Following their 4-0 drubbing earlier in the week to AC Milan, Arsenal’s only realistic hope of breaking their six-year trophy drought were dashed on Saturday thanks to a rejuvenated Sunderland, meaning the Gunners have now gone seven years without any silverware!
A lot has been said about our recent form, specific player performances and management style, but former Gunner Stewart Robson claims the problem lies in Wenger’s squad, suggesting it is simply not good enough. Is this a fair assessment from the ex-Arsenal midfielder?
He was quoted on talkSPORT saying:
‘He can’t complain that it’s not his squad, not his players, not his philosophy or not his vision because he’s been there for 15 years.
‘These are all his players and this is all his doing. He’s had some great years but I’m not sure with this side that he is going to have too many more great years.
‘I think it’s time that Arsene Wenger has a good look at his squad and he has got to realise that some of these players aren’t good enough.
‘And he has also got to realise that his philosophy and his vision has to include some defensive work and that is not being done at the moment.’
To be honest, I can’t help but agree with Robson, a few players in our squad are simply not good enough to wear the shirt.
In my opinion, Denilson, Sebastian Squillaci, Manuel Almunia, Kieran Gibbs, Lukasz Fabianski, Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott, as well as a few others, are not Arsenal players and need to be looked at – are they really good enough? I don’t think so.
However, I cannot point the finger of blame solely at Wenger; the board have a lot to answer for as well. I just wish someone comes out and explains what the hell is going on at our club! As fans we deserve to know!
In any case it seems our squad depth and quality, as well as our manager and money-grabbing board, have once again cost us silverware for another season!
Not good enough on all fronts! And it needs to be addressed quickly!
What do you make of Robson’s comments?
Give us your thoughts on the matter
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Not ready to give up on Gibbs just yet.
The others?…
Theo – Can’t figure out why this lad thinks he is worth 90,000/week. His current wage of 60,000/week seems too high for what he has shown on the pitch this season. All pace and no plot.
Who is the better option for Arsenal right now: Walcott or Arshavin? I’ll go with Andrey (however, neither are great options).
Diaby – I really wanted things to work out for him at Arsenal. They haven’t. Good luck trying to sell the oft injured Frenchman.
Almunia – not good enough.
Fabianski – servicable reserve but too expensive for such a role.
Squillaci – What was Arsene thinkning?…
Denilson – Considering injury issues with Wilshire and Denilson might be worth keeping around. Can you honestly say Ramsey is a better option than Denilson? A question worthy of debate, in my opinion.
If RVP leaves, then…well…he leaves. If Arsene is able to strengthen three or four positions in the starting XI using RVP’s transfer fee then, in my opinion, Arsenal are better off.
Robson and Petit are both correct – this team isn’t good enough and changes must be made. Talent and potential mean nothing without heart, head, and determination.
Keep veterans Verm, Kos, Sagna, Scz, BFG, Song and Arteta. Keep Santos because he is cheap and can score crafty goals occassionally.
Keep young guns Wilshire, Ramsey, AOC, Miguel, Coquelin, Frimpong, Miyaichi
Keep RvP but don’t sell out the future to do it.
Add tough-minded players (Dempsey, Podolski, Robbie Keane (the man is a fighter)).
Add a slick attacking midfielder (a David Silva-type).
Add a veteran central defender like Cahill.
Add some competition for Gibbs at left back.
For this season, I would love to see Arshavin find some form. Same for Gervinho. I would also love to see Park get a chance to show his worth. One of these three needs to step up if Arsenal are to qualify for CL next season.
Agree with most of your points, but I would add:
wenger at 7 mil p.a. is far too expensive given his low level of ambition and most of his squad you named above is not Arsenal standard.(we could have had yaya, twice!!)
also, board leeches too much money and is in bed with wenger and needs to go.
Whilst I agree that – even when including the additions I proposed – these players aren’t “Arsenal standard” I do feel we would begin moving in the right directions.
A mile into the forest requires a mile to get out.
And while wanting to win immediately has me flirting with the Just-Burn-Down-The-Bloody-Forest strategy of club management, it wouldn’t serve the future of Arsenal.
If you haven’t read the AST report, I encourage you to take a look. Arsene is responsible for the players he recruited but – given the direction/position the board has taken – I’m not so sure he wasn’t doomed to fail at some point.
And, to be clear, failure is all relative. Today, Gunners sit in 4th and have every opportunity to maintain their CL status for next season. 16 other PL clubs would love to have Arsenal’s “challenges” right now.
what a rubbish question ! we all know our squad is a disgrace !!!
Whilst I agree with your list of 7 players that should not be wearing an Arsenal shirt I would add Arshavin and Djourou, which overall virtually equals a whole team. Where and how can Arsenal find that number of better players and afford to buy them? Most of the outgoing are worth next to nothing, even supposing someone is willing to buy them. An Arsene garage sale? A Blue X day? Buy one, get another for free? Vouchers accepted.
Football in the EPL is not all about the skill but a lot has to do with dEtErmination, grit,fighting spirit,tactics and winning mEntality. Some of thesE qualitiEs arE acquired during training. The training at Arsenal is somewhat deficient. We need to learn to vary our game according to the opposition. Passing gam without movement does not work all the time. It makes u predictable and without penetration.
The talking should be done on the pitch and not in the media. The likes of Djourou should keep their mouth shut and do the talking on the pitch. Action speaks louder than words. I won’t say anything about players that should be allowed to leave at moment because we are stuck with present squad till the end of the season. So let us think of making the best use of them.
…and when wenger/board make no changes over the summer, you’ll simply continue to go along with it. Sorry, that’s no the Arsenal way.
Could sombody tel me if Aw or any of d board members read all our comments? It seems all dis is fun, cos it has never yielded any fruit. Else, much shuld’v been done on Arsenal FC..
Football in the EPL is not all about the skill but a lot has to do with dEtErmination, grit,fighting spirit,tactics and winning mEntality. Some of thesE qualitiEs arE acquired during training. The training at Arsenal is somewhat deficient at thE momEnt. We need to learn to vary our game according to the opposition. Passing game without movement does not appear to be effective. It makes u predictable and without penetration.
The talking should be done on the pitch and not in the media. The likes of Djourou should keep their mouth shut and do the talking on the pitch. Action speaks louder than words. I won’t say anything about players that should be allowed to leave at moment because we are stuck with present squad till the end of the season. So let us think of making the best use of them.
wenger has unfortunately been saddled with crap players like the squid and djourou…How can anyone expect him to win anything by relying on that type of player?……oh but he bought them and put them on 3 year contracts didnt he!..not wengers fault my arse!….
bought them and gave them fat salary increases which they never earned. we are a right mess.