Cringeworthy shambles is a sad way to end Wenger's era
GUNNERS BOSS HAS RUN OUT OF IDEAS AND TIME
ARSENE WENGER’s future is no longer in his own hands. And if he loses to Brighton tomorrow, it could be over.
Arsenal are a shambles and Josh Kroenke, son of Stan Kroenke, the majority shareholder and a growing influence, can’t help but notice. They were atrocious on Thursday night and the Emirates was a ghost town.
I played in front of a crowd that small for Arsenal before. But that was about 30 years ago. And don't tell me the weather kept them all away.
The away end was full and I’m sure if the homes fans had really wanted to go they would have got there. I was in London that night. It wasn’t that bad.
But Arsenal were. At one point Petr Cetch cathes ball and the crowd cheer. They are mocking one of the greatest keepers to ever play in the Premier League.
Backwards
It’s not his fault. It was cringeworthy. And it has to change. Arsenal have gone backwards from last season and I didn’t think that was possible.
They are the worst team in the country without the ball. In the country! Look at Wigan. When they lost the ball against Manchester City they were solid.
When Arsenal don’t have it you’ve got three players up front who just turn off. Mesut Ozil, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang don't even try to win it back.
Aubameyang cost £60m. He only had 18 touches in the cup final – 18! I think I could have touched it more times than that, and I’m nearly 50.
He has to improve immensely. They paid a lot of money for him. To touch the ball only 18 times in a cup final tells me you’re hiding. Get involved.
His missed penalty at the Emirates just summed it up. He strolled up like it was a testimonial. It's just not good.
enough. Wenger only has himself to blame. He bought these players. They’re not good enough. I actually feel sorry for him because he is just being totally humiliated.
But I seriously think he will be doing unbelievably well to keep his job if they lose to Brighton. They are a million miles behind where they should be.
They’re 10 points behind Tottenham in fourth place. If they go out of the Europa League as well, it’s nightmare time.
But the club know. Something is happening behind the scenes. Wenger doesn’t have the same power he used to. They’ve clipped his wings.
Look at his press conference the other day when he was telling everyone how loyal he’s been. It was like he was asking Arsenal to be loyal to him now.
It was like he was pleading. Two good results and he could still wriggle off the hook. But some of the fans are actually hoping they lose just so they can get rid of him.
Wenger has been a great manager. He was way ahead of his time. But it’s uncomfortable watching him now.
I think it all started with the ‘Invincibles’. That team was gone in two years. They broke up a team who never lost a game because they wouldn’t hand big contracts to older players.
It’s mundane now. You know what you are going to get. I’m not surprised fans don’t go and they pay some of the highest prices in the country.
I honestly believe he thinks he can still turn it around. But I don’t think he will get to decide whether he is given the chance to try any more.
And he cannot afford to lose to Brighton if he wants to keep his job.