I stared in disbelief at the front page of the Telegraph Sport when I returned home from my holiday early Monday morning, completely unaware of the week’s football. It read "Humiliation", a word perfectly suited to how Arsenal disintegrated at Old Trafford, the 8-2 score line highlighting just how backward Arsenal are, or worse, how out-of-touch the Old Professor, Wenger himself, is. Not only were this, but North London rivals Tottenham were ravaged by what was a superlative full performance by the blue side of Manchester at home. Despite the debacles of North London, I am not surprised.
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| Shocker: A score unthinkable 10 years ago |
I mentioned prior to the start of the season of the threats of the two Community Shield finalists, and how Arsenal would struggle, but nothing to this extent. The void in class between the Manchester and North London sides is very much evident, and if it the cracks aren’t rectified by Thursday, the shutting of the transfer window, this could be a very long season for their supporters.
We’ll start with the Gunners, a side weakened with the loss of their two most precious assets, Nasri and Fabregas, with Nasri ironically going to Manchester City, highlighting their newly increased reputation. The Gunners do not look a side strong enough of even competing alongside the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, and gaining European qualification now seems a long shot.
Arsenal have no depth, which is rubber stamped by the decision to add Oguzhan Ozyakup, Dutch U17 international, into their squad, on Football Manager he isn’t even good enough for my League 2 Bradford side. Is Wenger missing something here? Is Youth policy is respectable, but a Premier League chasing side need quality, not potentials, if he is so concerned about Youth in football he should set up a youth academy, such as Glen Hoddle did, though I haven’t heard of one top flight player to emerge from it, as yet...
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| Has he got the message yet? Arsene Wenger |
The bottom-line is they have to spend, spend now, spend big, and spend the £60 million received from the money they have recouped from transfers. Defenders are a must, new midfielders, potentially a whole new squad, but for Wenger, time is running out.
Tottenham on the other hand looked strong; competitive last season, but the reason for their dismal start to this season is the on-going transfer saga of Luka Modric. Levy and Redknapp have to let him go, what good is it to have a player whose head is elsewhere? Not only this, but it is affecting the morale in the dressing room, and a rift could have huge ramifications on their campaign.
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| Let him go: Redknapp and Modric |
Key players wanting to leave the North London clubs to rivals highlights the direction in which the Gunners and Spurs are heading, something has to be addressed, and addressed quickly.
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