Wenger the answer or the problem? An increasing
number of Arsenal fans are inclining towards the latter.
Despite their loyalty to Le Professeur, an increasing
number of Arsenal fans are inclining towards the latter. The
Arsenal boss now faces the biggest challenge of his career. For
unless there is a remarkable turnaround, it will be four seasons
without a trophy following next Tuesday’s Champions League
semi-final second leg at The Emirates.
Even Gooners themselves are admitting their side will
only make the final if they score three times against a Manchester
United team who must surely find the net in North London.
And that without Eduardo — injured again on Wednesday —
and a shambling Emmanuel Adebayor who is in desperate need of a
rocket shoved up his, er, Arsenal. Certainly, everyone was left
bamboozled by Wenger’s tactics at Old Trafford where his 4-2-3-1
formation — quickly reduced to 4-5-1 as United forced them on the
back foot — detracted from all the strengths we normally associate
with Arsenal.
The Gunners manager says we will see a different side
at The Emirates. Hopefully for all Arsenal fans he means the old
side. In a 4-4-2 line-up with Cesc Fabregas in central midfield —
not torn between two roles and doing neither as he was at Old
Trafford — and the attack-orientated Samir Nasri on the
left.
And a benching for Abou Diaby, whose Mancunian
nightmare was not helped by Wenger asking a right-footer to patrol
the left touchline. Then we have the eternal Robin van Persie
problem.
The main reason why the Dutchman is once again on the
treatment table is because Wenger played him in the FA Cup
semi-final on the suet pudding that passes for Wembley.
If there was one player likely to emerge from that with
a groin strain, it was Van Persie. And all this because Wenger came
to the astonishing decision to omit Andrey Arshavin — the one
player who was NOT required in the Champions
League.
But there is a stubbornness in Wenger these days, never
more apparent than in his continued failure — refusal? — to
purchase the central defender and buccaneering midfield player
Arsenal have so long required.
It’s as if he’s saying: It’s my way or no way. I will
build this beautiful team and not corrupt the process by bowing to
outside pressure.
Well, he has one last chance to get it right, to show
Old Trafford was a one-off and not confirmation Arsenal are not as
good as their long unbeaten league run (against modest opposition)
suggests.
The odds are now on a repeat of last year’s
ManYoo-Chelski final — especially with Barca getting lumps kicked
out of them by Real Madrid this weekend.
Wenger will beg to differ. Though with that defence it
doesn’t really matter how well the six in front of it play.
