First off obviously the club infrastructure is VASTLY improved under Wenger with the stadium, training ground, rehab centre etc. What he achieved after taking over from Rioch in 1996-97 on the pitch was remarkable but you question now whether the first teams standing has regressed The "mega rich" have spent of course but from being a consistent top 2 team between 1997-98 to 2005-06 to then bouncing between 3rd - 4th and now in real danger of finishing 5th (or worse) its come full circle and we're back to where we started from. Admittedly that team had some older heads (Wright, Adams & Co.) but at least most of them had the required quality to win is a Premier League 2 years later...can anyone honest this current squad wining a Championship anytime in the next few years !?!?!
The squad is more thn capable than winning titles, just that we need to have depth which the squad still lacks.
Agree with Oxo. The team on it's day can beat anybody, but we still lack depth through the squad - as yesterday demonstrated. We need to add the two or three 'top quality' players that Wenger talks about this summer and really ensure that our squad can be consistent through the season, not just in fits and starts, punctuated with morale sapping defeats.
But there's a difference between being able to beat anybody and win titles. Chelsea now are a team that can beat anybody of its day but its not a team capable of winning the Champions League/Premier League. I think the same with Arsenal. The FA Cup would have provided a massive lift for your club, just imagine if you draw Barnsley, Huddersfield/Wigan or Oldham/Everton at home, that's pretty much an easy trip to Wembley, and in a one off game Arsenal are more than capable of beating either Manchester club at Wembley
Celtic can beat anybody on their day too. That doesn't mean they could ever win the Premier League or CL. Our best team is not good enough to win these tournaments. Now to the actual question, the current team is better in attack but not defense. Wenger brought his attacking philosophy and European scouting network to a club with neither. Now the defense has gone, we're left with a hole. Now the other teams have matched our scouting network, we've lost that advantage too.
No the squad is not capable of winning titles. The occassional Cup Yes. For me only our midfield is TOP class our forward line and defence are not good enough.
I always say this but... Wengers teams are all about scoring goals. HIGH defensive line, midfield pushed forward etc.. without a WORLD CLASS centreforward we wont win anything. Wenger is NO Mourinho he's not capable of setting up teams to shut out the opposition. Giroud is game and hardworking but he's clearly nowhere near the level of RVP or Thierry. An Arsene Wenger side without a TOP class striker is like an Italy side without a TOP class Centreback.
