Spiraling Arsenal Squad Looks Lost in London

There's a great phrase the Brits use when something goes horribly wrong—"lost the plot."

After a listless 3-0 loss to Manchester City today, Arsenal have clearly lost the plot.

It marked a second straight league loss for the Gunners, and the second straight clean sheet against them. Manager Arsene Wenger has to come to grips with the fact that his beloved youngsters have scored no goals and conceded five in their last two defeats. And his team is in turmoil after the exile of captain William Gallas, whose harsh comments about his teammates exposed a locker room lacking cohesion and discipline.

Maybe it's Wenger who's lost the plot. 

His faith in his young Thoroughbred side, the faith that has kept him from spending big money on established players, is being exposed as misplaced. Arsenal doesn't show poise when the chips are down. They are the ultimate frontrunners.

They act like that kid in high school who was gifted, knew damn well he was gifted, and was fawned over by every grown-up in sight because of his giftedness. Remember that kid? He walked around like the world owed him something. He acted like he could just show up in a room, become the center of attention, and take whatever he wanted.

I always hated that kid. But he got his comeuppance later in life because no one likes an over-entitled, snotty brat.

Right now Arsenal are over-entitled, underachieving and getting a deserved comeuppance. The team has no respected veteran presence to take young players by the ear and show them how championships are won. It also has no physical presence to counter a challenge from hard, experienced players. A brittle team, both in physicality and confidence, is cannon fodder for many top-flight European teams.

Arsenal fans will hope the debacle at Eastlands will be where the club hit bottom. I disagree. This team is not growing up through adversity and shows no signs of doing so.

With league games against Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa on deck before the January transfer window, a league title chase is already lost. Wenger's only hope to rescue the 2008-09 season is to add two or three quality, experienced players in January and go on a run to an FA Cup or, less likely, Champions League win.

It's tough times at the Emirates Stadium, and they'll only get tougher.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?