Morning:
10°c
If the defeat that formally ended their season needlessly confirmed that Arsenal's fatal flaw is their cluelessness over how to defend a lead, the manner of it was laced with heavy and painful irony.
Shortly after 5pm yesterday, when Emmanuel Adebayor bundled them in front, I texted congrats to an Arsenal-supporting friend. "Trust me, we won't hold on," read the instant and prophetic reply. "Haven't all season."
Time and time again, Arsenal have carelessly mislaid winning positions, generally through ineptness in central defence, and most notably at Chelsea in the Premier League and at Liverpool in the Champions League.
Within 30 seconds of that message pinging through,William Gallas inexplicably handed Manchester United the penalty from which Ronaldo scored.
The irony was then delivered by United's winner. That it should be Owen Hargreaves shone a halogen lamp on all the criticism of Wenger's mulish refusal to add to his squad, despite the millions apparently available for the purpose.
If Alex Ferguson had shared this complacent outlook, Hargreaves would not have been on the pitch at all to zip that free-kick into Arsenal's net with such delicious precision.
He arrived from Bayern Munich at the end of last season when, as new league champions, United - according to Wenger's smug philosophy - had no need to bolster an already stellar squad.
It has to be admitted that once again yesterday the Alsatian had cause to indulge his penchant for self-pity, because Arsenal dominated a riveting, pulse-quickening game with their speed of passing and imagination of move-ment. On the balance of chances they clearly deserved to draw, and very possibly to win. Had Wenger aped Fergie's purchase of Carlos Tevez and spent a fortune on a world-class striker last summer, they would probably have done so.
Instead, for the second time in a week, his disinclination to buy proven quality returned to kick him in the cobblers.
Interviewed on radio in the days between the twin failures at Anfield and Old Trafford, he whined about the media "slaughtering" him (absurdly so; his press remains, as it should, warmly admiring), and said that he has no plans to unleash his cheque-book in the summer beyond a single high-profile acquisition.
The race for the title isn't quite over yet (technically Chelsea still have a chance), but it would surely have been Arsenal's had Wenger bought a seasoned central defender, in the crude but effective manner of Tony Adams, and a reliable goalkeeper in January.
More than ever today his intransigent refusal to spend money looks less like justified self-confidence than misplaced arrogance, and his future place in the coaching pantheon may rest on whether he learns from Ferguson's example that continually extending and improving the pool of available talent is imperative even when things are going smoothly.
His insistence on relying on cheaply purchased young talent, and moulding it according to his ultra-attacking principles is, in its way, rather magnificent, but history teaches us that this is not how trophies are won.
Or, as his compatriot Marshal Canrobert once put it, with an elegance that almost justifies the frequency with which I quote it, and of an earlier team that sacrificed itself on the altar of reckless attack (the Light Brigade): "C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre."
Reader views (2)
Wake up and smell the coffee, A.W; We are intellectuals who will not stand for pithy excuses from a well respected fellow intellectual.You have given us much pleasure over the past decade but its pain now.
As an arsenal supporter(15 yrs), South African immigrant(from Liverpool)I am bitterly disappointed in the way The Gunners have capitulated. Local fans feel pity for me.
10 points clear over Christmas and in all 4 cup competitions, now nothing. Same story for past 3 years.
Why not win a minor cup first and instill a winning mentality
Arsene calls for consistency:
Constantly losing leads(esp champs league final),cup games, spirit, composure. Whinging.
Integration into British culture is key,like immigration and footballers are not exempt. Having the British fighting spirit is key. Johnny foreigner can provide the flair. Do any of their British relatives, pub and work friends call Eboue, Adebayor, Hleb and tell them that they were lacklustre and need more spirit. Walcott's and Hoyte's may do,they will respond. Learn diff ethnic mentality to pressure.
A.W.last won cups when there was still some English players in the team. What happened to all those youth players he constantly plays in cup games? A.W.can mould youth to a certain level but has problems with mature established talent. When they criticise him, they must go(Henry,Petit etc).
Its pantomime watching Arsenal these days: Attack, pass, dribble and fail in the 20 yd. Teams wait(like Roman armies)to attack us in defence.Why cant we?
- Johnnyforeigner, Liverpool,UK, 14/04/2008 22:26
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Wenger mentioned in post-match analysis that he can not blame his team for the failure to take anything from this season.... too right!
The only blame should fall on Wenger and his ability to not make match winning decisions.
Gallas as captain?
Forcing Fabregas to commit to near enough every game with little support!
No strength in depth!
Disharmony between his goal keepers.
Walcott as a bit part player when he has more to offer.
Wengers management should be called into question.
Arsenal fans should not tolerate failure however 'pretty' the football-
WENGER OUT!
- Sham, Streatham, 14/04/2008 12:24
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