The defeat at Sunderland was probably no great surprise to most people. The Gunners had suffered a midweek match in more ways than one and were always likely to lack the energy of the opposition on this day. And although they can claim an element of ill luck with the goals conceded, in the build up to both, they were certainly the architects of their own misfortune.
Whether it was due to fatigue, not possessing the right kind of players or pulling together as a team, there was a definite lack of drive in Arsene Wenger's side for much of this FA Cup tie. They often seemed uninspired, pedestrian, predictable and got what they deserved in terms of a result. The big worry is that the players do not really care anymore, and that a rocket from the manager has little effect because there is no sense of fear. They do not take him seriously, and go through the motions out of a perception of professional obligation, a nod towards the huge wages he has awarded them. So like a spoilt child will behave badly if not disciplined appropriately, you can have a highly paid group players who will not perform to the limit of their capabilities. That is what we seem to have at Arsenal these days. Sunderland, picking up a damned sight less money, yet putting in a great deal more effort would seem to confirm that idea.
I wonder how much Seb Larsson picks up in his wage packet. Wenger decided he was not worth persevering with and allowed him to leave Arsenal in January 2007 for ￡1 million. He had Abou Diaby and Denilson at the club and considered them better options for the future. An example of how the manager's judgment of players has cost dear in recent seasons. The club would have been better served by sticking with Larsson.
The other thing that Sunderland demonstrate is how change can be beneficial. Steve Bruce was working with the same group of players that Martin O'Neill has now and getting a lot less out of them. The conclusion is that things had gone a bit stale and that the team were not being motivated sufficiently. Sometimes, in all areas of life, change is needed to freshen things up and keep people on their toes. Arsene Wenger's core coaching team is the same as that which were on duty in his first year at the club back in the mid-1990s. Players with enough quality and experience can overcome a manager who is not particularly good at organizing and motivating, as they can sort these things out on the pitch themselves. But once you are lacking enough such individuals, you will run into problems.
Arsenal play a lot of crab-like football these days. As time goes on, Cesc Fabregas' contribution is being missed more and more. At least he attempted to drive the team on. Aaron Ramsey is a great tryer, but most of his passes seem to be more Ray Wilkins than Bryan Robson. Van Persie tries to make angles for a pass, but is usually outnumbered. When opportunities do arise, the midfield are often too ponderous to take advantage. There seems little in the way of cutting edge and only rarely does one witness an Arsenal player actually try and take on and beat his man. The team is quite easy to play against these days, which is why they often struggle for results against supposedly lesser sides.
It's sad watching the decline at the moment. I can't even get up the energy to feel angry at the manager, just sad that it has come to this when in all fairness, it was obvious his time was up after the 2008-09 season. How many times must we witness the season collapse? There is only fourth place to play for now, but the pattern is already a familiar one. Disappointing cup exits, injuries exposing the lack of squad depth and those still on active duty seeming to lose interest, inspiration and heart. The annual shareholders' Q&A event with the manager was last held in the autumn of 2010 and it's safe to say there won't be another one until the manager is on more solid ground, which probably means never.
If he really had Arsenal's best interests at heart, he would resign immediately and leave without taking the compensation payment (circa ￡16 million) he is entitled to if he was dismissed now. Let Steve Bould take over on a caretaker basis and organize the defence so that the team can at least try and carve out some results. Maybe bring in Martin Keown and/or Tony Adams to help motivate the players. Does anyone believe we would be any worse off than continuing with Arsene Wenger?
It's not just the cup exits that have created the need for change. Teams go out of cups all the time. It's the manner of the exits and the feeling that we have all been here before, but that every season, the chances of success seem more and more distant. Arsenal, as the quality of the players at the club has slowly declined, seem to be slipping out of contention generally. Change is needed to re-invigorate the players. If Bould did take over, then it gives some breathing space for the club to approach a decent target in the summer, and if he did excel, then he could be given another season to prove it wasn't a flash in the pan. It has to be better than what we are witnessing now, which is desperately sad.
Can you imagine the reaction if Spurs win the north London derby next weekend? Perhaps, before we get to that horrible stage, it might be worth accepting the need to move on. The board are not going to sack Wenger because of the economic implications. But if the man from Alsace is big enough, he will know he's reached the end and will hand in his notice on Monday morning. With him being as stubborn as a mule, I'm not holding my breath.
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