A fifth consecutive defeat for Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal to champions Chelsea; a 13th goal in as many games against the Gunners for Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and an unenviable seven-point deficit to claw back at the top of the table. Title hopes over for yet another season? Back-to-back league defeats has seen optimism replaced with negativity at the Emirates in the early stages of this new campaign.
Yet it could have been so different for Wenger’s side as they dominated for large periods at Stamford Bridge and could have scored twice in the opening 60 seconds. The Gunners matched their opponents in every department and controlled the game, but ultimately could not take advantage of their superiority by putting the ball in the back of the net.
Wenger’s side were comprehensively beaten home and away by the Blues last season, but on Sunday showed signs of maturity in their play against the league’s table toppers. Arsenal headed to West London without nine first-team squad members including captain Cesc Fabregas, defender Thomas Vermaelen and Dutchman Robin van Persie. While such notable absentees cannot be ignored, it remains the same old story for frustrated Arsenal fans who have failed to their side lift a trophy since their FA Cup triumph in 2005.
The game was a microcosm of the fundamental issues which have undermined Arsenal’s title campaigns in recent seasons. For all the visitors extended periods of possession, intricate passing and eye catching, free-flowing football, it was Carlo Ancelotti’s side that came away with a win and three precious points. Chelsea used all their experience to shut out Arsenal in defence and clinically punish them in attack.
Wenger continues to receive plaudits for delivering such high-quality, entertaining football teams on a minimal budget. However ultimately, football is a competitive sport and the time has come for his side to deliver success. Wenger, despite having the funds available to remedy his side’s inexperience and naivety in the summer, continues to ignore popular opinion. The disappointed Frenchman did conclude however that his side must be more clinical in attack if they want to win league titles.
“We have to be more clinical to win Championships,” said Wenger.
“We cannot lose a game like that. Their strikers were more clinical than ours and that made the difference.”
This was meant to be the season where Arsenal’s developing squad came of age and delivered a major trophy. Wenger insisted his side could win the title before their defeat to the Blues, but may not be so confident now. The Gunners still have the chance of winning the FA Cup and Champions League and Wenger will be confident in these compeitions. It is, of course, still early in the season and not many sides will come away from Stamford Bridge with more than a point, but the omens do not look good for Wenger and his side.
This summer Wenger needed to bring experienced, high-quality internationals to the Emirates. Money needed to be spent on a top quality goalkeeper, yet Wenger kept his faith in the under-performing Manuel Almunia who cost his side points in their shock defeat to West Brom. A top-class defender should also have been a number one priority, yet instead Arsenal signed the inexperienced Laurent Koscielny and aging Sebastien Squillaci. In attack the Gunners need a 20-goal-a-season marksman, someone who would have converted the chances missed by free transfer signing Marouane Chamakh on Sunday.
Of course over the last five seasons Wenger has not had total failure. Maintaining a place in the ever-increasingly difficult to attain top four positions, as well as reaching a Champions League final. This has been done while the club has moved to a new state-of-the-art stadium and announced record profits of £56m. Wenger will also leave a legacy at the club which will last for generations once he has long departed. Yet Wenger should have invested more of the club’s revenue this summer and made a statement of intent heading into the season.
Time is running out for Wenger’s ‘golden generation’ to finally deliver a trophy. While the Premier League title is still attainable at this early stage, it is unlikely to be heading to the Emirates at the end of the season. A trophy must be delivered or Wenger may have to admit his wonderful, attacking philosophy is ultimately flawed and take the radical step of breaking up his squad and starting all-over again.
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