Last season Jose Mourinho called Arsene Wenger ” A Specialist In Failure” unfortunately for many Arsenal fans this season he is more than living up to that tag. It was another poor showing in the Premier League with the visit of Hull City where it was only thanks to a last minute Danny Welbeck strike that saved Wenger some serious embarrassment.
Not for the first time this season injuries have highlighted the serious lack of squad depth and poor transfer policies that have once again harmed a league campaign, with only 2 wins from 8 games it is nowhere near good enough. Before the season started everyone knew that there was a need for greater depth defensively, if anything the squad is now weaker in this area. The departure of Bacary Sagna and Thomas Vermaelen were big blows. The arrival of Mathieu Debuchy and Calum Chambers were solid signings but more needed to follow. Arsenal unbelievably only have 6 defenders registered in their first team squad which is an abysmal piece of “preparation” on Wenger’s part. No holding midfield player was signed, yes Welbeck was signed with the signing of a at least one Striker being a necessity but this was nowhere near enough.
Once again Wenger’s team selection has to be brought into question. Yesterday he used a left back in Nacho Monreal as a centre back and he was once again as he was in pre-season, out of his depth. Promising youngster Isaac Hayden was called up-to the squad and should have started, he is a central defender by trade and would have been a lot more comfortable and reliable. Admittedly Wenger’s hands were tied due to the influx of injuries however these are just a result of his own making and he should be held accountable.
It would seem injuries are mounting up, muscular ones especially which can only be down to one thing and that is training methods. Some players are starting to come back, the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Theo Walcott are closer than most but with the lack of intense training that is the cause for these injuries still not being addressed or even rectified it won’t be long until the same problem arises yet again.
Last week’s AGM was like most previous, void of any real answers or solutions just the same old rhetoric that has been used before. Promises to spend in January, it has all been heard before. The priority is to bring in a defender or so they say, what actually happens remains to be seen. There are a few positions that need addressing as always, there is a need for two more defenders, at least one holding midfield player and another striker to support Welbeck and Giroud when he returns from injury.
