Gunners have no Ammo

On the eve of what I hope is the crowning of Man United's historic 19th title, Arsenal fans look back at a season that might of, could of, and some fans argue that it should of been the Gunners' year...
In February of this year the media and some of the Arsenal fans were raving about the possibility of a glorious quadruple where Arsenal were supposed to end the season with the League, The FA Cup, the League Cup, and what would be their 1st Champions League trophy. The reality of the situation is that that was a pipe dream. Arsenal's children dont have the squad, the guts, the BMT, and the "know how" to compete for 4 trophies. They slipped up almost every time they had the opportunity to leap frog Man United in the league and they threw away incredible leads. A championship team does not do that. A championship team shows comes from 2-0 down, and wins 1-0 with 10 men on the pitch. They do not have the character a good enough spine to their team.

Their 1st choice 'keeper is 20. I am sure the young pole has a very bright future ahead of him, but experience at #1 is vital to any great side. He has made some silly errors, and his inexperience showed at times. Look, it could be worse, Arsenal could have Gomez in goal.

Arsenal have good wing backs (Clichy & Sagna) but one decent centre back, in Thomas Vermalean. Squillaci, Djourou and Koscielny lack the necessary grit and power to compete in the Premier League. Maybe its a case of them still needing to find their feet, but I personally dont think they are good enough to mount a serious title challenge. I know some Arsenal fans like Djourou and were happy for Wenger to build the defence around him but he is not good enough. His recent performances have shown that. He might have a good game every now and then, but he lacks anticipation, consistancy, and bravery. Compare those players with the Arsenal defence of old and from the "Invincibles". They had Tony Adams, Martin Keown, Sol Cambpell and Steve Bould. Those players all had the same things in common. They were hard, aggressive defenders that made few mistakes. Why Arsene Wenger has opted for something different is beyond me because that style of defender worked very well for him, he won trophies...

The Arsenal midfield is their pulse. They have magnificent ball players in there like Fabregas, Nasri, and Wilshire. Walcott needs to stay fit to get his form and confidence up for an entire season. Ramsey will develop into a great player when he gets game time and stays away from Ryan Showcross. The russian, Arshavin, is a good player but looked like he as not interested this season. Song is possibly the Arsenal's unsung hero (they need more of those). The rest of them I see no use for I am afraid. Diaby is a poor man's Vieira. Denilson is just plain useless. I thought Lucas (Liverpool) wasted oxygen, but Denilson is worse and it seems Lucas is finally progressing. I see no benefit of having Denilson on any pitch in the world because he would just be taking up space. Rosicky is in the Denilson category. Again I look at Arsenal teams of old and I look at strong powerful players like Vieira, Parlour, and Gilberto Silva, to name a few. They had fight, guts and a great will to win. That is lacking in this current midfield.

Arsenal have one striker that fit their style of play, Robin van Persie, or RVP. Chamakh and Bendtner do not fit in and as a result have struggled. Arsenal play a short passing game, even when their tall, good-in-the-air strikers are on the field. So why are they at the club because its not to offer Arsenal something different or offer a new point of attack. They have scored goals for their countries when they receive the ball more directly, and when the ball is crossed for them... Bendtner just needs 9 chances to score one goal.

This Arsenal team dominate games from start to finish at times. They get the world talking about their gorgeous style of play and their wondeful swagger, but that's all they have. What is beautiful football if there is no end result? What is beautiful football if your team cannot hold onto a   4-0 lead? It is strange to me that a man as experienced as Arsene Wenger, who has won the league, whose teams have broken records has not stuck with a formula that worked for him in the past when he mixed the fantasy with the raw grit and determination. So why has Arsene Wenger gone with all fantasy and swagger and no grit and determination...

Most Arsenal fans might argue, but they are further away from winning the league again than what Liverpool are (currently 5th). Liverpool play with passion. They fight for every 50-50 ball and these days often win it. Liverpool have leadership. They have guts, determination, and a will to win. Arsenal lack all of those when it counts. But how do you fix that? Can you buy an experienced player that will have the respect of the dressing room and expect him to lead ? Do you keep your most talented player as captain and hope he leads you to glory (and hope he doesn't leave)? Arsenal are in a tough situation. They need a Vidic, a Terry (painful to say), a Vieira... A player that demands the most of his troops. A player that brings the most out of his team mates by inspiring them with raw will to win.

Its obvious that changes need to be made at the Emirates. If i was in charge there, I would buy an experienced 'keeper. If not to start, then to help guide Szczesny become world class. Maybe Lehmann should stay on for next season as a back up to the pole. I would buy at least one quality central defender that is proven in England. I would opt for an english player. My colleague, is right when he mentions Cahill and Jagielka, I think they would be perfect. I like the look of Showcross too (I bet Ramsey would not be happy). Arsenal need players that compliment one another at the back, the way Rio and Vidic do at Man United and they way Pique and Puyol do at Barcelona. Vermalean needs a strong, hard, gutsy defender that will put his body on the line.

I would sell Almunia, Diaby, Denilson, Rosicky, Eboue, Arshavin and Fabregas. Arshavin looks like he wants to leave. I would sell Fabregas because, although he is a great player, he never plays because of injures and he wants to play for Barcelona. Arsenal still have Nasri, Ramsey and Wilshire that will develop into fantastic players. I would cash in and buy experienced players that have guts, determination and are able to go box to box if needed. I would try buy Scott Parker (again an English player) and James Milner (needs and wants to play, work horse and can play across the midfield). Both players offer what Arsenal are missing and they are English. That will allow Wilshire to go box-to-box. Ramsey will also develop quicker with Fabregas back where he belongs.

The strikers are a tricky situation really because it depends on the formation and style of play. With my new signings I could play a 4-4-2 formation and have RVP partnered with a target man. But should I be forced to play the way Arsene Wenger sets his team out with 1 striker, I would sell Bendtner (self proclaimed best in the world) and Chamakh because they don't fit in. Arsenal need a finisher like Hernandez, Bent, Defoe and Villa. RVP only plays half a season, so another striker is crucial for their cause. I would either try buy Hulk or Falcoa from Porto, Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich (would cost a fortune but he scores goals) or even Peter Odemwingie. He has proven that he can score goals at this level and he will not cost as much as the others. I do think Experience is needed at the Emirates if they are going to win anything.

In truth, the problems lie with the manager. Stubbornness, and failure to shoulder responsibility has caused the frustration of the Arsenal fans. They play beautiful football, and always have football fans holding their breathe, but not went it counts. Arsene's "Invincibles" were bred from players with pace, power determination, enough experience and enough fantasy to compete (much like the current Chelsea team). Why did he opt for children with no guts and no experience? I am not a fan of change at a football club. I believe in stability but I would have to say that Arsenal need change, and I say they need new ideas and a fresh approach. The way Arsenal have ended the season shows me that his team still have a long way to go to compete with Man United's drive, determination and hunger for success. My prediction is (should they not buy experience and find leadership) that Arsenal will fall out of the top 4 next season. I think Man United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City will challenge for the league. All of them will invest heavily to make sure that they compete.

Personally, as a Man United fan, I hope nothing changes. I am amused when I am told that our midfield is "average", we "dont play with the same fantasy as before". Man United's midfield play to a style that allows them to win trophies. They play with structure, some fantasy, but with commitment. Arsenal play fantasy football and haven't won anything in years. So I ask, what is more important ? I think Arsenal fans are seeing the light now after a season of a could've, would've, should've season...