We will not finish in the top 4. A hard statement to make as an arsenal supporter, but its true we we are simply not good enough to be able to cut it at the top of the Prem anymore and theres various people you could blame; 1) Wenger for not spending the money 2) The board for its self sustaining model 3) The crop of players that failed to reach their potential and ultimately failed us. For me i think it is a mixture of the second and third point. This self sustaining model prevents us from adding the quality we needed 3 or 4 years ago, its that model which ultimately cost us Xabi Alonso, Gary Cahil rtc etc, and its that finanical model which probably prevented us in keeping the ideal replacement for cesc - Samir Nasri. When you look at our squad now there is nowhere near the quality needed to battle it out at the top and i think a top 6 finish would probably be a good result base dont the way we are playing. We have a defence who can't communicate because they are all knew to each other, not to mention Mertersaker and Santos dont speak any English. Its no wonder we cant defend. The young players coming through look good but again its looking like we are going to have to wait adn wait for there promise to develop into class - and hope it actually does this time around. We need the likes of Gibbs, Frimpong, Ramsey, OC, Ryo and Coquelin to do what Vela, Diaby, Denilson and co didnt. Nevertheless we do have some experience alongside them this time and so its with that that you ultimately hope Wenger has learnt from his mistakes. Season 2011-2012 is transition - i just hope that we can manage to fight our way into Europe so that we can attract the players we need to compelte a side that needs time.
4) Increased and unsustainable desperation from all premier league clubs with Champions Lge aspirations 5) Damaging transfer window You make a good point though regarding qualifying for Europe in order to attract good players, difficult to prize a world class player away from a world class club if you're languishing in the Europa League. I'm not quite reaching for the panic button just yet as a run of 3 or 4 wins could easily put us right back in the CL mix, but I'm seeing too many unprofessional mistakes
I think Arsene and the board need to consider the following - 1. Keep RvP, Wilshire, Walcott and Vermaelen not only because they are key players on the pitch but as importantly their departure will send out the wrong message to everyone and I mean everyone 2. Buy Wisely and not just according to the business model in January and Buy Early. Change the wages policy if necessary. We need 2 defensive options RB and CB, 2 MF- one attacking, one holding and defending 3. Abandon the old approach and bring in a) a defensive coach b) someone to assist on tactics c) locate players in their best positions. Walcott as striker, RvP in a free role d) change the training regime by concentrating on play and not only technique 4. Arsene must change his motivational style and his touchline manner, the former is obvious and the latter when it is negative which it all too often is, simply rubs off on the players 5. Consider a change of leader on the pitch either in house or bring someone in My 2c
Point 4 Robin is well worth mentioning, it's is rubbing off on the fans also, it is crynging at times watching him when the games are going against him. He was not always like this but seems to be a man worn down right now.
Yes I dare say this youth policy is not an easy one to bring to fruition and in all fairness to Arsene, up till February last year, he almost made it. However, the season as we know ends in May. I recall his style changing from around 2008 onwards. Perhaps you may remember better. Whatever is the case, it has to change. If you are going in front of the cameras talking about positives which sadly he seems not to have spoken much about of late, then you need to act positively too. In his shoes he has a role to perform. He must do what he himself expects of his players. He needs to keep himself in check.
