Arsenal for a number of years have from time to time been taken to the cleaners byh the big rivals; results like the Utd 5-0 win in the FA Cup in 2008, the CL semi-final that was over in the first 15 minutes. There has always been a weak spot in Arsenals game that big teams could exploit. This season has seen this exposed beyond doubt. I can't remeber us putting the big rivals to the sword. The injury record is appalling, and you would have thought there would be some sort of internal enquiry into why. RvP went to United and they got to work on his conditioning and strength - why did the United staff spot this but in 8 years at Arsenal no one thought of it? Players get injured, then face the nightmare of recurring injuries and never regain momentum. This affects the team's season. Wenger's tactics - been found wanting too often in the games that matter, over a number of years, and even when we were successful he made the odd clanger. Transfer - he's got worse as the years have gone on. He looks for the bargain bugget hidden nugget. What get's me is last summer he went for Saurez, Higuain, Ba, didn't get any and then said he was happy. Coaching - some players have obvious weaknesses in their games that imapct the team. Sagna, who has been our better players, has many strengths, but his crossing is appalling. That is a case of getting him a specialist coach to hone that skill. It's amazing how many of his crosses get successfully blocked by the full-back. Why hasn't anyone worked on this apsect of his game. CL - the same every year - scrape through the group, often in 2nd and then get knocked out by the first decent team we play in the knock-outs. The manner of the defeats in the key games (1st leg, where teh tie is won/lost) have been simialr to those we've witnessed at City/LFC this season - Milan 4-0, Bayern 3-0 last year. Who to replace him ? Short-term trophy drive or long-term "project"? I'll be happy with an FA Cup. As for top 4 - if not making it precipitates a change that benefits us but making it keeps teh status quo, I vote for 5th. I have a lot of respect for Wenger and his achivements are great, even upto last year I was happy. But this year has been a year too far.
You make some interesting points but I would argue with you about RVP.How many games has he missed through injury this season ?
