For the last few seasons pundits have been claiming that Wenger’s side needed time to develop in to a force. Always threatening to challenge for honours but just coming up short became a regular disappointment for Arsenal fans.
The same can be said for the game against Chelsea. The Gunners dominated possession for long periods but were not able to convert their dominance in to goals. Laurent Koscielny and Marouane Chamakh both missed excellent chances and Arsenal were cruelly punished for those misses.
I can’t help but feel that Arsenal’s season will play out a similar story. While their quality and class is undoubted, big questions remain over their substance. The Arsenal side that went unbeaten in the 2003-2004 season was able to convert dominance in to goals, as well as making sure they didn’t throw games away. Unfortunately that side seems like a light-year away from this current Arsenal team.
It must be said that Wenger has had some real bad luck with injuries. Missing out on Sunday’s clash were key men Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Theo Walcott, and for a side that doesn’t go and splash out on big signings missing players of this quality always causes problems.
What has made things worse for Wenger is that the trio have all had regular injury problems over the last few seasons and have never really been able to show their qualities on a consistent basis without injury striking.
So yes Wenger does deserve more luck, but as I have mentioned in previous articles I really think he may need to realise that this squad just doesn’t have the winning quality and maybe the mentality that is needed for a challenge on success. If he doesn’t the wait for a trophy may continue for the foreseeable future.
