In Arsene We Trust? An Honest Arsenal Fans Opinion On The Loss at Craven Cottage

Arsenal once again failed to hit their peak form this Saturday in a 1-0 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage. The goal came from Fulham's unmarked Brede Hangeland who slipped through and poked home a corner from Jimmy Bullard, half way through the first half.

Minutes later Arsenal and Emmanuel Adebayor almost replied but his header smashed against the post. But all in all it was a seriously disappointing first half performance by the Gunners.

The second half wasn't any different either. Although Arsene Wenger's men had Fulham on the ropes for most of the last half hour they really didn't put Fulham's summer signing goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer to the test.

In the dying minutes of the second half Arsenal threw as many bodies forward as possible. Adebayor missed a header and substitute Alexander Song missed a good chance. As much as Arsenal pushed, Fulham defended as if they're lives were at stake.

The game was a disappointing and an un-entertaining one, but no one will be more disappointed and un-entertained as Arsene Wenger. Who rightly let rip at the squad after the game claiming they had let themselves and the fans down.

After the match many Arsenal critics claimed the loss was due to the lack of cash injection into bringing star players to the club. Leaving Wenger to reply defending his decision to once again not spend the big cash, or bring big names to the club.

Arsene has always sworn by trusting his backroom staff in raising Arenal's youth players to be title winning pedigree. Too many times he has proved his critics wrong but this year he has a lot to prove.

When he does buy players they are usually unheard of and the transfer fee's are tiny compared to the likes of Arsenals rivals in the so called top four.

Some examples of this are Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera, Kolo Toure and also Chelsea player Nicolas Anelka. All bought for next to nothing, all turned into world class players.

However it is clear to see that the current Arsenal squad is lacking something in the way of an experienced player in the middle. Wenger is known however to be searching for that player but with time running out in the transfer market, he must hurry to make the signing.

Only time will tell if this result was a one off. In any case if and when Arsenal pick their form up, it is best to have the bad patch of the season at the beginning just as Manchester United had last season before becoming winners of the Premier League and Champions League.

In Arsene We Trust? I certainly do!

-Lyle Shepherd