Bleacher Report - Articles by Joseph Kutialo

Arsene Wenger's Tendencies the Reasons Behind Arsenal's Trophyless Seasons

Joseph Kutialo — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 07:03:48 -0400

This is the frustrating month for true Gooners, with only one week remaining before the 2009-2010 EPL season starts.

Arsene Wenger maintains that he is not rushing to buy new players. He believes the current crop of players can challenge the other big three and win trophies. We have been fed by many rumours about those potential players being linked to Arsenal but only to be disappointed when we hear that AW has not launched any serious approaches for the players.

Gooners will agree with me that the exit of Adebayor and Kolo Toure will not be a big blow to the team if Wenger can use the cash he has prudently. Arsenal does not require to spend a fortune to replace the duo and strengthen the team.

Last season the performance of Adebayor was awful. He lost crucial chances and his attitude was poor—it is good he left. Kolo Toure has achieved a lot with the Gunners, but his performance had drastically gone down.

Evaluating last season's performance, it becomes obvious that the defense and central midfield was the weakest points in the team that caused us a trophy.

Thus Gooners expected Wenger to have utilized the current transfer period by signing one proven defensive midfielder and one tough tackling defender who is strong in the air.

However, the economist secretly procured a faster deal to acquire Thomas Vermaelen from Ajax, a player who will take time to acquaint himself to the physical Premier League play.

The current Gunners defense is vulnerable, it cannot provide cover consistently throughout the long season. Gallas and Clichy are injured, inexperienced Gibbs, Djorou and awful Silvestre are the remaining options in the defense.

Arsenal has options in the striking force with Asharvin, Eduardo, Walcott, Van Persie, and Bendtner.

The injuries to Rosicky and Nasri are manageable, therefore Wenger should have moved faster to sign Hangeland, who is used to the EPL's physical game, and try to play him with Vermallin before the new season begins.

The Fulham manager Roy Hodgson has confirmed that Wenger has not contacted them about a Hangeland deal. AW admitted that the team lacks the strength of the invincibles, thus he must sign new players.

However to date Wenger is relaxed, wallowing in the belief that his youth policy will bring trophies. Why is he waiting until the potential targets like Hangeland becomes ineligible to play in the Champions League before he signs him? Arshavin proved last year that proven players can deliver—he is a good example to the professor of economies.

The Premier League is very competitive; a team needs to have depth, quality, and experience combined with mental and physical strength to be champion. The Arsenal board cannot be blamed this time because AW has enough cash to buy a proven center back and defensive midfielder.

The inventor does not believe in proven players until he makes them, hence Gooners will have to wait until Welsh ire becomes Arsenal’s Rooney before trophies will come to the Emirates.

The good professor believes that the Gunners youth policy can bring long-term success, hence impressing the likes of Hill-Wood.

Arsene Wenger's tendency for invention, professionalism, and mature attitude will not bring glory to the Gooners—but endless trophyless seasons.

LACK OF MENTAL STRENGTH&PASSION, PASSIVE MIDFIELD:REASONS FOR MEDIOCRE GUNNERS

Joseph Kutialo — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 09:04:02 -0500

The current Gunners awful performance has been disappointing and stressing to the die hard passionate Gooners. Arsenal has won only two out of the last eight games, six matches have ended in worse draws.

After all this bad results AW remains cool, he has consistently used the word spirit in his post match press interview. His soft attitude in dressing room makes players think they’re doing enough to get the desired results.

This is the right moment for the manager to remind all the players the reason why they are in Gunners colour. Indeed this season is worse than 2006 when Spurs almost secured the top four positions at our expense. That year was better since the Gunners reached the champions league for the first time. They were un-luck because of Lehman genuine red card and loosing the trophy in the last ten minutes.

The current crop of Arsenal players has lowered the clubs standard and dignity in the EPL, mediocre teams no longer respects the Gunners.

Their performance on the field is not convincing by loosing very affordable and crucial points to average EPL and mediocre teams. Arsenal is looking like an average premier league team and are frustrated every weekend by defensive opponents.

Analyzing the Gunners strength based on the first EPL leg and the last eight matches, my honest view is that, the players’ major problem is psychological; their mental ability is weak due to Consistent awful results.

The players are disenchanted to the level of losing their confidence and morale. Hence they are never psyched up for good result when playing their next match.

This problem must be overcomed as soon as possible, since it is the same reason that derailed the team’s chance of winning the EPL trophy at the same time last season, after the Eduardo’s Injury at Birmingham and draw.

I have been impressed by the spirit to fight and will to play by Aluminia i.e. (making world class saves), Toure, Gallas, Vanpersie and Clichy (urge to move forward and get a scoring chance while falling back to defend strongly during counter attacks made by the opponents). These players stand out to be counted as true Gunners,

The rest are lethargic and passive on the field, they are not passionate a bout the team: Bendtner, Song and Denilson are the worst passive players who do not demonstrate the fighting spirit for the team, i don’t know if Bendtner is a striker, due to the fact that he likes passing the ball even when he is in the penalty box you will see him returning the ball back. Truly speaking these players don’t deserve to get into the first team; we are using them now since they’re the only option available.

Sagnal is comfortable by just defending on the right back, he does not move forward with conviction of scoring, but to bring direct crosses that mostly are predictable and are easily handled by the goal keeper.

However the main cause of the current Gunners mediocre display can be fully attributed to the passive midfield which is not creative. Denilson and Song are defensive minded players, thus Arsenal strikers are not getting through passes to score.

The lack of creativity in the midfield forces Vanpersie to fall deep into the middle of the field and collect balls to launch an attack, hence putting himself under pressure from the packing bus opponents, example is the scoring chance he lost against Sunderland.

I don’t want to be subjective in my analysis but the truth is that AW should listen to Fergusson advice of balancing the team. He needs to strengthen the defense, midfield and attack. That is the only action which will get the team out of the current quagmire.

Arsenal should learn how to cope with predictable injury problems. It is not safe to depend on specific players, Liverpool is also going through the same problem with the absence of Alonso and Gerald.

Thus understanding that the Gunners play style is always predictable which is an advantage to mediocre EPL teams, AW need to invest in more than two proven creative midfielder’s. Fabregas injury has affected the teams balance greatly. Denilson will never play at the level of Cesc due to the fact that he is not creative, something that is not determined by the age of the player but technical ability. Although Ramsey lacks experience he needs more games and he can be better than Denilson.

Bendtner is un-predictable hence inconsistent player, he should come as substitute. Before Fabregas, Rosicky and Walcott return, AW should try to play Nasri in the Midfield with either Song, Denilson or Diaby to instill the missing creativity. Asharvin should play behind Vanpersie or Eduardo, while vela and Eboue should start on the left and right flanks respectively.

That is my personal opinion Gooners let me here from you.

The Gunners' Champions League Slot: At the Mercy of the Big Three

Joseph Kutialo — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 10:17:34 -0500

The battle for the coveted EPL trophy, four with two, Champions and UEFA league slots respectively is going down to the wire with 15 matches remaining. Consistence in performance for the home and away fixtures, coping well with injuries problems and good results against each other for the six contenders namely: Manchester United, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Everton will decide the winners and losers.

Aston Villa and Everton have nothing to lose provided they finish among top six teams. Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal have everything to lose. This is because they are rated as the big four, have consistently qualified for the champions’ league and everybody expects one of the them to win the EPL trophy always.

The current EPL standing shows No. 1-6 respectively as: Man-u-56, Liverpool-54, Aston Villa, 51, Chelsea-49, Arsenal-44 with Everton-40 points. Manchester United has one extra game to play if they win their total points will be 59.

Man-u next big games against Arsenal, Liverpool and Villa will be at home. Liverpool will play Arsenal and Villa at home and Man-u away.

Chelsea matches against Arsenal and Villa will be away. Arsenal’s fixtures against Liverpool, Chelsea and Man-u are a blessing in disguise. This is due to the fact that by the time the Gunners play these matches, injured players will have returned and God willing if Gunners gather maximum points before end of March and get at least nine points against the big three, fourth place is for Arsenal.

However this will also be determined by the way Villa will play in the next matches against, Stoke City, Chelsea, Man-city, Spurs and Liverpool respectively.

Arsenal must win all the next five matches against Sunderland, Fulham, West Bromwich, Newcastle and Midsbrough to take their tally to 59 wishing that Aston Villa get not more than five points in their above named five games and take their tally to 56 the most possible outcome based on duos opponents ability.

This analysis is evaluating the outcome of Villa and Arsenal matches because only four teams will qualify for the champion’s league position and it is Villa who is a threat to Arsenal and Chelsea that have been regular top four achievers.

The return of injured players and Arshavin at the time when the fourth place has been restored will motivate and strengthen the current squad. This will go along establishing a ground for good results by end of April and May when the Gunners play against the big three.

Arsenal will also be playing tough matches against relegated candidates of Midsbrough, Portsmouth and Stoke city who likes packing the bus. These defensive opponents will be unlocked with the creativity of Fabregas in the midfield with Asharvin dangerous runs on the flunks and potent strike force of Eduardo, Walcott and Robin Van Perse.

Aston Villa will be playing Man-U (away) Everton (home), West Ham (home) Bolton (away) Hull (home) and Midsbrough with Newcastle (away).Indeed points will be dropped here.

I predict Arsenals only final tough fixture to be at JJB and Anfield stadium on 11th and 18th 4/09.The Manchester united match against the Gunners will be open and easy fixture since the red devils will have known their chances of recapturing the EPL league.

Therefore on the positive perspective as a diehard passionate Gooner my 50-50 honest view is that, while I acknowledge all the 15 remaining matches are important, those against the Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United will decide the Gunners Champions league position vise versa to Aston Villa.

Unambitous Arsenal Board and Manager: The Reason for Imminent Players' Exodus

Joseph Kutialo — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:10:29 -0500

Peter Hill-Wood commented in Friday's Mirror, "When building the Emirates stadium, we never thought about the impact of missing the champions league position on the club's finances.

"Arsenal can still play in the Uefa league, and failing to qualify for the champions league will not be the end of Arsenal.'' The Arsenal board chairman statement is discouraging and is an insult to the passionate and die-hard Gooners.

His views confirm that Arsenal's board and Arsene Wenger are not ambitious to win trophies and play in the most cherished champion’s league European club competition.

The chairman focuses on paying the stadium debt using maximum profit made from the fan support, which is guaranteed through Gunners match tickets sold, club products, and selling players from their academy.

Arsenal performance during the first leg of the EPL 2008-2009 season was awful. It was evident that the team lacked depth in the midfield, defense, and striking force. Currently, the absence of Fabregas in the midfield is being felt greatly.

The team lacks creativity in the midfield and is depending on Robin Vanperse to get crucial points. AW has demonstrated his lack of ambition to strengthen the team.

Andrei Asharvin is the only player being pursued while ignoring the defense and midfield, which is the weakest point of the team.

The absence of key players like Fabregas, Walcott and Eduardo has led to Arsenal's poor performance in the 2008-2009 EPL season, a fact that is recognized by Peter-Hills Wood.

AW's reluctance to sign proven players is a sign of lack of ambition to win trophies. He fears spending money as if it belongs to him.

Does it make sense for him to wait until the time the injured players will be fit to play again, yet the team is losing crucial points?

Can the professor prove he will win the champion and FA cup trophies through same unconvincing performances in matches against Everton and West Ham United respectively with this small squad? We have not seen consistency in the way the team has played in the last games.

The history of injured players confirms that it takes time for them to be fit and play at their best level; for instance, we have seen Michael Owen, Christiano Ronaldo, and Didie Drogba's performance after injury among many others in the EPL.

Eduardo is the only player guaranteed for playing now after his injury but he will take time to play at his best level.

Fabregas, Rosicky, and Walcott's earliest return is March. This means the team has to do with the current disjointed and un-motivated squad for the battle of the champions league place, European club Champions, and FA Cup trophies.

Arsene Wenger has already given up on challenging for the EPL trophy by admitting after the Everton match that it will be impossible to catch up with Manchester United.

Fourth place is the only remaining possible objective to achieve for him, although he appreciates that Villa is putting pressure on Arsenal for the battle of the champions’ league place.

My honest view is that a fifth trophy less season minus guaranteed champions league place for the Gunners will lead to key players namely: Cesc Fabregas, Cole Toure, William Gallas and Robben Vanperse leaving Arsenal during the next transfer window.

Real Madrid, Barcelona, and AC Milan, among other European heavyweights, will tempt Arsenal board and players with inflated transfer fee and good pay package respectively, which will be irresistible for the duo.

What is the objective of Arsenal youth policy? Is it for business or success in terms of transition process and glory?

The players above 25 years will be thinking about their career and achievements before the end of their prime playing time. They will not stay to help the team that has developed them to become football stars.

This is due to lack of ambition to win trophies being exhibited by the teams board and manager. Every footballer will want to retire after being crowned with champions league and EPL-like trophies, besides the personal awards given to Christiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Can these players achieve that with Arsenal? The answer is big NO.

Arsenal board and Arsene Wenger have a responsibility to ensure that the current Gunners team sticks together for the next two seasons for Arsenal to be counted among the big clubs in the world.

Gooners, let me get your say on this!

Gunners Toothless Against Defensive-Minded Opponents

Joseph Kutialo — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:46:34 -0500

Arsenal’s approach and philosophy of play is anchored by quick through passes blended with attacking flair in 4-4-2 system. This formation enabled them to win three Premier League and four FA Cup trophies, winning the 2003-2004 EPL season without losing a single match under Arsene Wenger’s management.

They penetrated easily all types of defensive formations during the days of Patrick Vieira, Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Dennis Bergkamp, Fredrik Ljungberg, and Nwanko Kanu, among others.

These players possessed physical, technical, and mental abilities that matched diverse game plans of Premier League teams. Henry, Pires, and Vieira combined well by executing slick-passing and faster-attacking flair football from the midfield to the flanks. They were creative and hence, changed their game plan quickly depending on the opponent's tactics.

After their exodus during the Gunners' transition period, things changed drastically. The new signings, namely Emmanuel Adebayor, Abou Diaby, Theo Walcott, and Tomas Rosicky, with the young players from Arsenal's academy, have not acclimatized well with the Gunners' playing formation. The current crop of players lacks passion, mental, and creative abilities required to play against defensive-minded opponents.

The Premier League teams that used to be rated as underdogs have discovered that Arsenal is stoppable when you close all the space in the midfield and park the defense. AW's playing formation has remained the same since the professor took over the managerial task.

They have always initiated their attacking from the defense to the midfield through their slick passes executed in a triangle form. Shooting from outside the box and long, aerial ball tactics are avoided.

Through and short passes dominate their attacking prowess.Thus, when playing against physical teams like Bolton and Stoke City, among others in the EPL, who prefer 4-5-1 systems of play, it becomes difficult for the strikers to penetrate a nine-man wall.

Arsenal has played well against 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 formations that give them space to utilize their quick short passes and attacking flair that precipitated so many of their classic goals. When allowed to display their style of play they are unstoppable and have won most of their fixtures against attacking minded opponents.

However, all is not lost. I still believe the Gunners' playing formation can bring success if creative-minded players can be signed during this January transfer window to impart fluidity, sparkle, and life in the current Arsenal midfield. The lack of the Fabregas, Hleb, and Flamini combination is being felt greatly.

These players combined well in the 2007-2008 EPL season, when initiating the Gunners' attacking flair. Their creative and defensive abilities propelled Arsenal to the top of the EPL table.

The departures of Hleb and Flamini affected Arsenal's creative abilities in the midfield that were displayed in last year's EPL season, thus culminating in the poor performances against smaller teams who like parking their defense.

Arsenal's playing style is entertaining to watch. That is why many Gooners support them. But AW needs to recognize that in a competition like the EPL, points obtained are more important than the playing style. I am not saying that the Gunners should win in an ugly way. They must blend their sexy football with success in terms of goals scored to get maximum points of champions.

AW should strengthen the midfield with creative players who can change the game during the time of need...like when facing defensive opponents.

He should encourage players to shoot outside the box in addition to learning to utilize corner kicks and set pieces—other options of scoring when playing against physical opponents.

Playing the same formation against every opponent and lack of creativity in the current Arsenal midfield is the reason why I assert that the Gunners are toothless against defensive opponents. The Bolton, Portsmouth, and Stoke City matches are good examples to justify my personal opinion.

Die-hard Gooner for life. Gooners let me hear views on this article.

Arsene Wenger's Play Style Can Win the Champions League Cup, But Not EPL or FA

Joseph Kutialo — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:57:20 -0500

Arsene Wenger is the most successful manager in the history of the Gunners in terms of trophies and entertaining football.His approach and philosphy of playing is characterised by desire to entertain and attack with combination of individual and collective quality.

Arsenal football club is admired by many soccer fans world wide because of it,s slickypasses,faster and attacking flare which has changed the success of the club since 28th,September 1996 when AW was appointed as the Gunners manager after Bruce Rioch was sacked in August. He has won three EPL and four FA cup trophies.

AW style of play made him the first non british manager in the FA premier league history to win a double in England in 1998 and 2002 EPL seasons.

In 2004 he became the only manager in the FA premier league history to go through the entire season without defeat.

The champions league is the only trophy that has eluded AW for many years.His best achievements was when he reached the 2006 final and lost 2-1 against Barcelona due to the Lehman red card.

Arsenal last trophy was the 2005 FA Cup final when it beat Manchester united through the penalty on the final.

The AW Style of play was executed well by legends like Tony Adams,Steve Bould,Nigel Winterburn, Lee Dixon, Martin Keown and Denis Berg amp.He strengthened this aging squad with good signings namely:Emanuel Petit, Patrick Veira, Marc Overmars, Nicholas Anelka, Sol Campbell, Fredrick Lumberg,Theiry Henry and Robert Pires.

These new signings maintained the Gunners Success. They Combined technical,mental, and experience plus passion to win trophies for Arsenal. Many EPL teams respected them even Manchester United.

However after the Exodus of Patrick Veira,Theiry Henry,Robert Pires among other experieced players things changed drastically.

The club has gone through a rough terrain by doing four seasons without a trophy.AW new signings of Adebs,Rosicky,Diaby,Walcott have not provided the service that the former players did.Arsenals current crop of players lacks physical,mental ability and strength when it matters.

The team lacks leadership thus being out muscled by mediocre teams in the EPL.Those teams that used to fear Arsenal during the Invincible time have discovered the antidote to AW style of play.Through beefing their defence,midfield and utilizing their Physical tactics,average teams have become the Gunners bogey opponents.

Arsenals style of play is a threat in the Champions league.They combined the slicky faster passes and attacking flare to humble Europeans heavy weight namely:Real Madrid,Juventus, AC Milan and Intermillan. When the Gunners play against the EPL big four they have obtained good results.2008-2009 EPL season first leg is a good example,total of seven points have been obtained from Manchester united,Chelsea and Liverpool.

In 2008 Champions league Bacerlon was the only non English club to reach the last four and lost to Manchester United.Arsenal came close but due to lack of concentration and the passion to fight they lost to Liverpool in the quarter final.

The current AW youth policy has not worked because small teams are signing Experienced players using their limited funds.Thus the standard of the EPL has gone higher.Arsenal have lost 15 points to mediocre teams this season.The FA cup is another trophy that is becoming difficult for Arsenal to win since 2005.

It is because FA cup has it,s traditional history that is cherished by all competing clubs. Quality of players factor does not matter in this tournament but passion and attitude to win and play at Wembly stadium.

Therefore if AW can utilize the January transfer window wisely by signing proven defensive midfielder, attacking Midfielder and Carvalho/Vidic calibre centre back,my personal opinion is that they stand hundred percent chance of winning the champions league trophy for the first time in their history than The EPL and FA Cup trophies.

This objective can be achieved if they match their EPL performance against the big three with the champions League encounters when drawn together.Note that the Gunners reached the 2006 Champions league final without meeting an English opponent.

The EPL and FA Cup trophies will remain beyond Arsenal reach if AW continue to play the current entertaining football which can be likened to ''a man in bed with a sexy woman instead of penetrating her, He only caress her boobs."

Gooners let me here you opinion on this article.

A Gooner for life.

Arsenal's Board and Arsene Wenger: Two Reasons for the Club's Imminent Doom

Joseph Kutialo — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 01:32:58 -0500

Peter Hill-Wood's statement posted in today's Daily Star, regarding limited funds available for the January transfer budget, is a bitter pill to chew for the passionate and diehard Gooners.

The performance of Arsenal during the first leg of the EPL 2008-2009 season was awful. It was evident that the team lacked depth in the midfield, defence, and striking force.

The weakness of the team in the above mentioned positions led to the current club's quagmire. Arsenal lost 15 points to mediocre teams and got seven from the big three. It is now playing a second fiddle to Aston Villa, who have collected four points from the Gunners.

Furthermore small teams do not respect the Gunners like during the time of the Invincibles.

The 2007-2008 season was fine until the team was plagued with injuries and lost its key players. These injuries exposed the vulnerability and weakness of Arsenal.

This was followed by surrendering the EPL trophy to Manchester United, with the runners-up position going to Chelsea, who had a strong bench.

Gooners did not lose hope because we knew Arsene Wenger had identified the main weakness of the team that caused the loss of the coveted EPL trophy. He was expected to sign proven and experienced players in the midfield, defense and striking force during the August transfer window, while retaining quality players to maintain the balance and consistency.

The professor did not sign the players that were needed.

He watched and admired the European talents showcasing in Austria and Switzerland and returned the chequebook to the board. He exhibited his lack of ambition attitude by allowing Flamini, Hleb, and Gilberto to leave the club.

The only proven signing he made was Nasri, but that was not enough since the team required a proven defensive midfielder.

Ten days ago, I wrote an article questioning the mission of Arsenal FC and why Gooners support this club. The response was that many fans like the entertaining football displayed by the Gunners.

However, we have lost Fabregas, Rosicky, and Walcott until Match.

Analysing the Gunners' performance during the Christmas fixtures and results obtained, personally I don't expect anything better from the upcoming EPL, FA, and Champions League matches with the current crop of players.

The January transfer window is a good opportunity for Wenger and the Arsenal board to dig deep into the club's account and buy proven players in the midfield, defence, and striking force. This is the only way to salvage the clubs image, respect status and international support from the diehard and passionate Gooners.

It is the only action that can be taken by a credible result-oriented board managing a professional club like Arsenal. Hill-Wood's comments regarding the Gunners policy of spending is a bridge to the imminent Arsenal FC doom.

The Chairman's statement confirms that the Arsenal board is only interested in making profit from the fans support that is guaranteed through Gunners match tickets sold, club products, and selling players from their academy.

The board is not interested in investing in proven players who can win trophies.

Arsenal board members have remained quite even after the team has performed poorly. It seems they don't care if the club finishes in position four, so long as it plays in the Champions League.

Winning the Champions League trophy is not a must. Their mission is just to make maximum profit depending on the TV revenue and Gooners pockets.

When Arsene Wenger returns the transfer chequebook without spending a single cent, the Arsenal board rejoice. He is rewarded by being paid bonuses gained from the limited budget with average team performances.

The standard of the current EPL is a pointer that the time for the Gunners' youth policy is up. They should move faster and change that policy by signing proven, experienced players and remunerate them well.

The youth policy should not be a basis for strengthening the team but a last alternative to the source of players. It should only be used as a second source of income. The board should invest in players to get revenue through trophies.

Failure to utilize the January transfer window wisely and sticking to Hill-Woods and Wenger's philosophy of minding the future will result into many trophyless seasons, loosing fourth and six positions to Aston Villa, Manchester City, Everton, Tottenham, and Middlesbrough, which means not playing in the Champions and UEFA leagues, leading to less fans and stadium attendance finally battling against relegation.

Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal FC board will decide the destiny of our beloved Gunners. They are the reason for the imminent doom of Arsenal FC.

Gooners, let me get your say on this!

Wishing you a prosperous, blessed 2009 with hope that Arsenal board members and Wenger will not facilitate the imminent brinkmanship of our beloved club but its success before the end of January.

What's Arsenal FC's Mission? Why Do You Support This Club?

Joseph Kutialo — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 20:52:14 -0500

The 2008-2009 season is down to the wire. After the end of the first phase of the league, every fan is looking forward to the upcoming Christmas fixtures and performance of the top five teams.

As the second phase of this year's season begins, only consistency and result oriented display will be the way foward to being crowned EPL champions in may.

My question to all the Gooners is that what is the mission of our beloved club Arsenal? Why do you support this team? Many Gooners will agree with me that the mission should be winning trophies.

We support this club because of its achievements from the time it started. Entertaining football is another reason.

It is four years since we won a trophy, the FA cup final against Man U. This was followed by losing many experienced players because of Wenger's youth policy.

Thus, for the past four years, the team has undergone restructuring, making its average age 23 years.

AW has requested time for the younger players to mature? When players reach their prime time of playing he sells them to our competitors. When are we going to stop using the name young gunners? Will Arsenal continue being an academy of breeding players who are sold to our competitors after maturing. What is our main mission?

Last season, the Gunners played well by getting good results. They topped the EPL table from August to February. Towards the end of the season, the team was plagued with injuries and lost key players like Eduardo, Flamini, Toure and Fabregas.

These injuries problem culminated to bad results, hence surrendering the EPL trophies to Man U. We didn't have a strong bench, like our competitors, that could continue doing the good job.

AW was given funds by Arsenal board during the January transfer window to strengthen the club.He travelled to watch the European talents showcasing in Switzerland and Sweden.

However, after the final, Wenger did not buy any player. He just admired what he saw. Gooners waited anxiously until the deadline of the transfer window passed, nothing happened.

The professor returned the cheque to the Arsenal board, assuring them that he had confidence in the current crop of players to do the job. Our competitors strengthened their teams; we can all see the results of that on the current EPL table standings.

Truth is that the premier league is competitive. Gone are those days of inventing talents like Anelka and Fabregas, playing entertainment football without winning and depending on academies to get players and using unproven players to win.

Teams in the Premier League are investing in good players even small once. Therefore, Arsene Wenger should strengthen the current team with proven players if his mission is to win trophies.

The current team is lean and vulnerable. It lacks experience and leadership. Arsenal has lost many points against small teams which plays defensive and physical football,while managed to get good result against Man U and Chelsea, who plays open football.

Wenger should stop being philosophical after loosing very important matches. Gooners are not interested to know the teams spirit of playing without winning.

They support the team through paying to watch Arsenal matches every weekend and buy it,s products. Arsene Wenger mission should be to focus on Success and glory in terms of trophy won. Gunners fans have waited for long to see Arsenal being crowned, English Premier League, European, and world club champion.

The youth policy, winless, entertaining football, inventing talents and selling them during their prime time should stop.

Will Arsene Wenger's Experimental Tactics Result in a Trophy-Less Season?

Joseph Kutialo — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:43:57 -0500

I'm concerned with Wenger's experimental approach during very important games when the team has a 100 percent chance of winning a trophy.

Remember the Carling Cup final against Chelsea? The Gunners had all of their experienced players available, but Arsene Wenger thought it wise to favour giving a chance to the young stars, and the same happened in the match against Burnley this season.

With this unproven method I feel it will take the Gunners a long time to win a trophy. When they reach the semi-final stage of a competition, I think it is good time to blend the team with some more experienced players.

My suggestion to Mr. Wenger is to take all remaining competitions seriously. Younger players should be given a chance at a level where there is no pressure. Lets not have the same thing happen in the FA Cup.