The Arsene Wenger era at Arsenal is truly dying before our eyes. The Gunners were crucified at Old Trafford in a manner that was as convincing as could be.
United were simply superior on every level; technically, tactically, mentally and simply having the ability do your job where areas where it looked men against boys in the second half.
It is not only on the field that Arsenal have ran out of ammunition either. During this long trophy-less streak, Arsenal fans have clung onto certain facets of their game and excuses that have allowed them to take some kind of moral high ground.
Let us investigate those excuses and see where Arsenal stand now;
STYLE OF PLAY
It has long been acknowledged even by neutrals that Arsenal play a very aesthetically pleasing brand of football. It is true, but it is wrong that somewhere down the line that became more important than results.
For years now Arsenal have lost games and the interviews after have suggested some kind of moral victory regardless of what the scoreboard says. How many times did Wenger tell us that the other team came only to;
a) Defend with 12 men.
b) Kick Arsenal off the field.
c) Hit purely on the break.
d) Play long ball.
It was commonly accepted among Gunner’s fans, and they would smugly refer to Stoke City RFC, suggesting Tony Pulis’ men played rugby.
When Arsene Wenger went to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League and his team did not et a single shot on target, Gunners fans acknowledged the wisdom of playing defensively against such a dangerous opponent.
With that being the case, why is it unacceptable for Premier League teams to do the same? Is it not the job of Arsenal to break them down? As mentioned above, somewhere along the line that concept was lost, and now it is possible complacency has set in.
It must be doubly galling for Arsenal fans who are of this train of thought what happened yesterday. Not only were Arsenal beaten, they were done so with an aesthetically pleasing style. United did not set out to be physical (in fact it was Tomas Rosicky who drew blood with an elbow), United did not come to defend, United simply played better football.
REFEREE
It has also been common for the referee to be blamed by Arsenal after a failure. It would be a new level of delusion if any coach, player or fan was to blame the match official after an 8-2 defeat.
In fact, lost on the weight of the hiding they received was the fact that United conceded a penalty at Old Trafford.
FINANCES
The sob story of having no money has been brought up time and time again, but this argument has two flaws. One is that the successful Arsenal teams could find unpolished diamonds for relatively little money, has that skill been lost?
The second argument that is it does not ring true. Arsenal have spent more money over the last six years than Portsmouth and Birmingham City, and those two less talented teams have managed to win at least a single trophy.
In addition, Arsenal have spent over 28 million this summer on players. It is possible to buy quality with 28 million but has it been done? Is it fair to expect a squad to not lose 8-2 after spending that kind of money?
Also if you have no money, should you be spending more money on relatively unknown Alex Oxade-Chamberlain than Liverpool paid for the more proven Charlie Adam? You can take a risk in the market, but that is exactly what it is, and once you spend the money you should expect performance.
FATIGUE
While it is a new excuse, Arsene Wenger did allude to fatigue in his post match comments. I checked my calendar this morning, and it is August.
These are truly testing time for Wenger, and it will be very interesting to see how he rides this storm. He could start pacifying fans by being active in the transfer market over the next three days.
It is not only on the field that Arsenal have ran out of ammunition either. During this long trophy-less streak, Arsenal fans have clung onto certain facets of their game and excuses that have allowed them to take some kind of moral high ground.
Let us investigate those excuses and see where Arsenal stand now;
STYLE OF PLAY
It has long been acknowledged even by neutrals that Arsenal play a very aesthetically pleasing brand of football. It is true, but it is wrong that somewhere down the line that became more important than results.
For years now Arsenal have lost games and the interviews after have suggested some kind of moral victory regardless of what the scoreboard says. How many times did Wenger tell us that the other team came only to;
a) Defend with 12 men.
b) Kick Arsenal off the field.
c) Hit purely on the break.
d) Play long ball.
It was commonly accepted among Gunner’s fans, and they would smugly refer to Stoke City RFC, suggesting Tony Pulis’ men played rugby.
When Arsene Wenger went to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League and his team did not et a single shot on target, Gunners fans acknowledged the wisdom of playing defensively against such a dangerous opponent.
With that being the case, why is it unacceptable for Premier League teams to do the same? Is it not the job of Arsenal to break them down? As mentioned above, somewhere along the line that concept was lost, and now it is possible complacency has set in.
It must be doubly galling for Arsenal fans who are of this train of thought what happened yesterday. Not only were Arsenal beaten, they were done so with an aesthetically pleasing style. United did not set out to be physical (in fact it was Tomas Rosicky who drew blood with an elbow), United did not come to defend, United simply played better football.
REFEREE
It has also been common for the referee to be blamed by Arsenal after a failure. It would be a new level of delusion if any coach, player or fan was to blame the match official after an 8-2 defeat.
In fact, lost on the weight of the hiding they received was the fact that United conceded a penalty at Old Trafford.
FINANCES
The sob story of having no money has been brought up time and time again, but this argument has two flaws. One is that the successful Arsenal teams could find unpolished diamonds for relatively little money, has that skill been lost?
The second argument that is it does not ring true. Arsenal have spent more money over the last six years than Portsmouth and Birmingham City, and those two less talented teams have managed to win at least a single trophy.
In addition, Arsenal have spent over 28 million this summer on players. It is possible to buy quality with 28 million but has it been done? Is it fair to expect a squad to not lose 8-2 after spending that kind of money?
Also if you have no money, should you be spending more money on relatively unknown Alex Oxade-Chamberlain than Liverpool paid for the more proven Charlie Adam? You can take a risk in the market, but that is exactly what it is, and once you spend the money you should expect performance.
FATIGUE
While it is a new excuse, Arsene Wenger did allude to fatigue in his post match comments. I checked my calendar this morning, and it is August.
These are truly testing time for Wenger, and it will be very interesting to see how he rides this storm. He could start pacifying fans by being active in the transfer market over the next three days.
