Arsenal FC: Why the Gunners Cannot Afford Another Trophy-Less Season

In the 2005 FA Cup Final, when Arsenal beat Manchester United on penalties, the Gunners looked like they had a few trophies coming their way.

As it turns out, they didn't.

It's now 2011, and that was the last trophy that Arsenal won, so Arsenal fans must feel a little concerned. In the 10-11 Carling Cup final, they seemed guaranteed to beat Birmingham, a team who would later get relegated into the Championship.

Nikola Zigic scored in the 28th minute to give the underdogs a shock 1-0 lead. But then, Robin van Persie equalised 10 minutes later and gave Arsenal hope again.

Then, disaster struck. In the 89th minute, a catastrophic mix-up between Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny occured and gave a surprised Obafemi Martens an empty net to shoot at from ten yards away. 

In the EPL, Arsenal finished fourth after being a major title contender in December/January. In the Champions League, they were edged by Barcelona in the Round of 16 after they mysteriously finished second in their group (with Partizan Belgrade, Shaktar Donetsk and Braga). In the FA Cup, Manchester United overpowered them in the quarterfinals, and I already mentioned what happened in the Carling Cup.

Anyway, after going without winning any titles, several people of whom the Arsenal squad is composed want to leave, and many of those people just want trophies.

Cesc Fabregas wants to go back to Barcelona, mostly because it's home, but it's evident that if Arsenal were winning trophies and were successful, Fabregas wouldn't want to leave as much. Samir Nasri has openly said that he wants to leave, and I don't quite blame him. For the three years that he's been at Arsenal, a club where the expectations are so high, he hasn't won any trophies.

Most of all, Arsene Wenger, who's been coaching the Gunners ever since 1996, is in danger of getting sacked! Arsene Wenger! Arsenal's "Professeur" has been picking out teenagers and developing in the youth academy. He led the Gunners to a season where they did not even lose a match in 03/04. But the key stat for many people is the fact that in 15 years, he won only seven trophies. That's why his job security isn't high.

Without Fabregas, Nasri, Wenger and others, Arsenal will not be a hot place to be, and there will be several people leaving the club.

Now if that happens, it will be the downfall of Arsenal FC.

On the other hand, if Arsenal win a single trophy, everyone's going to want to move there (especially, of course, the EPL and the Champions League). They're going to start attracting stars like Wesley Sneijder, Alexis Sanchez and others while also luring big coaches (if Arsene Wenger should leave for some reason).

Evidently, it would also be great simply because of the fact that they will have won a competition. Their confidence will go up, and they'll have a much bigger name.

That is why I think that Arsene Wenger can't afford to not win a single trophy in 11-12. Not many people will remain faithful to the club, as nowadays money is the big thing in sports, not loyalty. Not only will Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri probably leave, but youngsters who want to shine at bigger clubs, where they will be better recognized. Last of all, their beloved manager might get sacked.

For their own good, the Gunners have to win a trophy.