GUNNERS FANS ARE SICK OF WAITING FOR THINGS TO IMPROVE , WENGER
SAYS ARSENAL LEGEND THIERRY HENRY ‘Arsenal’s problem is consistency... the fans can’t enjoy a victory because they worry about what might happen next time they play’
THIERRY HENRY insists Arsenal fans are fed up of waiting to win the Premier League as Arsene Wenger faced a barrage of criticism from former players.
Wenger is surrounded by fresh doubts over his future as manager on the back of the Gunners’ lame surrender in the League Cup final. Paul Merson, a member of two title-winning teams, claimed the players are “not good enough” while Ian Wright said the club lacked leadership and characters. From hoping Wembley would be his salvation, it could prove to be the final straw for Wenger after 22 years in charge if Arsenal finish the season empty-handed and out of the Champions League places. Gunners legend Henry, who has already admitted he fancies the job himself, clearly fears time has run out for Wenger after 14 years without the title. Sky pundit Henry said: “When I meet Arsenal fans, it’s often, ‘Why are we not winning the League?’
“The problem that Arsenal have, as a team, is consistency. You need to be consistent – we’ve seen them beating Chelsea, doing well at home and giving us good games. But then consistency is not always there. And you need to be consistent.
“You need to have good games away from home, not losing at Bournemouth and Swansea.
“You want to be excited after games when they play well against good teams.
“But you tend to kind of calm yourself down because you don’t know what’s going to happen next.
“That’s the story of everybody involved at Arsenal, especially the fans, because you cannot brag about the win as you’re thinking, ‘Hang on a minute, maybe next week we might be in trouble’.
“It’s very difficult. You can lose games, you can lose finals – I lost finals – but it’s how you lose them.
“The first two goals on Sunday weren’t that difficult to avoid. Arsene had never won this one before. I’m sure he and the team went in with expectations to winning it. “The league is not going so well, so it would have been amazing to win the League Cup and then hopefully backing that up by winning the Europa League. “That’s what I would have called a great season, that’s what Man United did. “They couldn’t get in the Champions League another way, so they made it a priority to win what they could realistically win – and they did. But we all know that it’s difficult.” Merson (left, above) was more scathing but saved his strongest criticism for the players after the surrender to Manchester City. Merson said: “One team was playing in a cup final, the other team looked like they were playing a testimonial. “I know people say the manager is responsible, but the players have got to take part of the blame now, it’s not always Arsene Wenger’s fault. “He put the team up there to play a cup final at Wembley – it’s a big game, their biggest of the season – and I can’t blame him for what they did. I really felt sorry for Wenger. The players let him down severely, and he’s the one who will get the blame again.
“The team isn’t good enough. Some just aren’t good enough to play for Arsenal. They need a clear-out. Five or six of the players who played should be playing at Everton – or lower.
“It’s all about the players. If you haven’t got the best players, you’re not winning anything.”
Wright (left, below) said: “Nine times out of 10 they would be favourites to beat anybody, but if you turn up in a final the way Arsenal did then you are going to get beat – and get beat comfortably.
“But if you turn up and you’re like Wigan, then you beat Man City.
“In respect of ability, Wigan are nowhere near Arsenal but have the right attitude, drive and formations, determination and leadership.
“People say it’s attitude but it’s the same as it’s been for years. Everyone has recognised it’s about characters, leaders and we still haven’t got them.
“On occasions there are isolated incidents, like against Everton and we put them to the sword.
“But you know that when it comes to the crux, Arsenal are going to let you down again, the fans come on top of you and you can’t even make a point.”