Paul Scholes Slams Arsenal, Turns Heat on Arsene Wenger After Swansea Defeat

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has added to the swell of criticism aimed at Arsenal and their manager Arsene Wenger, accusing them of not having the stomach for the Premier League title fight.

Gunners fans might have thought the loss to the Red Devils at Old Trafford on Sunday would have been the low point of this campaign, but their despair sunk to new depths on Wednesday, as they were beaten 2-1 by relegation battlers Swansea City, who had rested a selection of key players for the game.

Speaking on BT Sport, Scholes conceded he felt as though this year Arsenal could go on and win the title, but he is now seriously doubting their credentials, per Luke Gardener of the Daily Star:

"

Arsenal, you know this season I think I was a little bit conned by Arsenal.

I thought this year they'd added a bit of steel with [Petr] Cech and [Mesut] Ozil was coming into his own and I had a slight feeling that they might go on to win it but once again they haven't disappointed.

They always seem to when it comes down to the crunch. They lose their bottle and can't produce in big games and with Wenger I think if he gets to the end of the season and they haven't won the league this year he has to be under big pressure.

"

Here’s a listen to what Scholes had to say after the Swansea game, per BT Sport football:

It was a loss that saw plenty inside the Emirates Stadium turn their ire on Wenger, who stated pre-match that he felt as though some of the criticism which came his side’s way in the wake of their loss to United was harsh, per John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

As ESPN FC’s Kevin Palmer noted after the Swansea loss, it seems as though there is a toxic dynamic developing at the moment:

The frustration of fans and scathing words in the media are understandable, though. This season is wide open, after all, with Leicester City leading and Arsenal’s bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in second spot.

Wenger has a superior squad to call upon when compared to both of those outfits and at the moment, it looks increasingly likely they’re going to miss a brilliant opportunity.

Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images

Indeed, the midweek fixtures epitomised the Gunners’ lack of killer instinct. Of all the title challengers, they had the most straightforward game and with Spurs and City losing, they could have made major strides. Instead they’re lamenting another performance which lacked spark on the field and leadership on the sidelines.

It’s a season which is really beginning to blemish the manager’s otherwise excellent record, as ESPN’s James Dall notes:

There are certainly signs that the Arsenal fanbase is beginning to lose faith in one of the club’s greatest managers, with the discontent audible inside the Emirates during Wednesday’s clash.

And you do wonder, even if the Gunners were to recover and win the title this term, the end of this season might be an ideal time to step aside for Wenger.

The difficult tests don’t stop coming either, with a trip to Spurs—without Petr Cech or Laurent Koscielny to call upon—coming early on Saturday.

A loss at White Hart Lane would not only end Arsenal’s chances of glory, but propel their bitter rivals into a tremendous position; if that scenario transpires, even for a man of Wenger’s standing, you wonder if there is any way back for him.