Arsenal's Trophy Tragedy: Everyone Is Overreacting to Genius of Arsene Wenger

Arsenal lost the Carling Cup final to lowly Birmingham City, the Gunners are eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup and trail English Premier League leaders Manchester United by seven points with seven matches left to in the campaign.

Therefore Arsene Wenger's integrity, management and calibre has diminished and the majority of the Arsenal squad are incapable of performing in the Premier League.

Or so it would seem.

The last six weeks in which fragile Arsenal experienced a demise that ultimately defined their season, which is now destined to conclude without the reward of silverware for the sixth successive season, has exposed the North London giants to torment from fans and critics worldwide.

Wenger's inability to spend in the transfer window has come under scrutiny along with his inconsistent defensive line, general lack of depth and Arsenal's general mentality.

The Frenchman recently admitted that second place is not a disaster. 

"We are second in the league. Is that a disaster? There are teams who invest 10 times more than us, and they are behind us," Wenger said. 

Wenger's comments were spot on and epitomized the overreaction the Gunners recent turmoils have produced in the Arsenal community. If one looks deep into Wenger's 2010/2011 campaign, can it really be considered a failure of a season?

Granted, the likelihood is no silverware will be acquired by Arsenal's squad, which is an immense disappointment, but if anything, this season has provided a stepping stone to a pathway of greatness.

The French tactician began the season by offloading experienced centre halves William Gallas, Sol Campbell, Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre, who boasted over 700 combined appearances in the EPL.

Wenger resolved the defensive reshuffle by signing unknown Lorient FC defender Laurent Koscielny for £8.45 million and French international Sebastien Squillaci from Spanish giants Seville for £3.2 million.

The French duo had no experience in the English Premier League, furthermore, two seasons prior Koscielny was playing in second tier French league whilst Squillaci was by no means young at 30.

The duo joined defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen, who had only just completed his first season in the EPL, albeit in stellar fashion, and Swiss enforcer Johan Djourou, who endured the whole 2009/2010 campaign bar the last EPL fixture injured with a knee problem.

Arguably one of the most inexperienced central defensive ranks in England and it worsened when Vermaelen was ruled out for the season in the first month of football due to an persistent Achilles injury.

Arsenal spent majority of the campaign with three central defenders, one of which was gradually emerging from rehibilation. The result?

Arsenal are second in the world's toughest league alongside managing to reach the Carling Cup Final, Champions League round of 16 and FA Cup quarterfinals. The combination of those three cost Wenger little over £12 million.

Manchester City's central defensive depth cost £46 million and includes Vincent Kompany, Joleon Lescott, Kolo Toure and Micah Richards.

To establish a central defensive roster with two players who are yet to intimately experience Premiership football and yet manage to maintain consistency throughout the season and sufficiently challenge for every trophies is nothing short of a genius.

From December to February, Djourou and Koscielny formed one of the best defensive partnerships in World Football and successfully manage to thwart a Barcelona attack boasting Lionel Messi, David Villa, Xavi and Pedro.

Djourou is 24 whilst Koscielny is 25, yet both have shown the ability to defend Arsenal to glory.

The duo have formed a superb defensive base for the future, and both are destined to stay at the Emirates. Sebastien Squillaci may have not been the most eye catching performer this season but his contributions have been vital and it is hard to establish a stronger fourth choice defender in World Football.

The defensive rock that is Vermaelen will also return come next season, which is only a boost for the Gunners.

What about the goalkeeping conundrum?

At the beginning of the season fans were demanding Wenger sign a quality shot stopper to eradicate the hazard that had materialized in between the goal post. The fans had lost faith in predominant first choices Manuel Almunia and Lukasz Fabianski, whose Arsenal careers had been tainted by inconsistency and school boy errors.

Yet Wenger opted to utilize the array of goalkeeping talent that included boom youngsters Vito Mannone and Wojciech Szczesny and keep faith in Almunia and Fabianski.

What has that achieved at the Emirates?

By neglecting the presence of a quality outside influence, Wenger was able to grant Fabianski a new opportunity early in the season which the Polish keeper grasped with both hands, which he had struggled to do in the past, and in the opening months became a dominant force at the back.

The 25-year-old blossomed, conveying the calibre that many believed only Wenger could see. The fans faith was restored and the Arsenal faithful were resting easier knowing there was a reliable presence defending the goal.

Unfortunately, a season-ending shoulder injury curtailed his rapid rise in January, but considering the circumstances that followed, fans are somewhat thankful. The injury allowed Szczesny to receive a proper and long awaited opportunity to showcase his potential.

The 20-year-old was highly touted throughout the Arsenal academy and immediately repaid those plaudits with outstanding performances. The Polish international secured eight clean sheets in 16 appearances since December before a finger injury in March ensured a two month absence.

Many believe Szczesny will now go on to be the world's best shot stopper after the maturity and quality the Polish keeper produced in his three month cameo at the front of the helm.

Wenger neglected to purchase a keeper before having his goalkeeping department blighted by injury yet still managed to estbalish to potentially world class keepers and of course manage Arsenal to second place in the Premier League, Carling Cup finalists and UEFA Champions Legaue and FA Cup progresses.

Genius?

But what about the Arsenal midfield?

Yes the future of captain Cesc Fabregas will always be under immense debate and speculation. But there is a superb base that has been formed that will only have the Gunners moving forward. 

Renowned defensive midfielder Alexandre Song is almost certainly a life member at Arsenal. The Cameroon international has played over 150 games for Wenger and is only 23 yet considered one of football's best defensive midfielders.

Teenage sensation Jack Wilshere openly demands to play for Arsenal and only Arsenal at club level. In his first full season as a first-team player, the Englishman has been the Gunners most consistent performer in a stunning 41 appearances, and Wilshere is 19.

Or what about Samir Nasri?

Granted there has been recent speculation linking him away from the Emirates, but it is certain that for at least the next three years the Frenchman will be wearing the red and white. 2010/2011 was the season the promising play maker truly blossomed into a attacking force.

His 41 appearances and 14 goals have ensured Nasri's best season yet despite enduring injuries in 2011. For the first half of the season though the 23-year-old was the Premier League's best player.

Regardless of whether Fabregas leaves or stays, Wenger has three of world football's best midfielders who are all greatly experienced are are still eligble for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

Furthermore, highly regarded young gun Aaron Ramsey is fully fit after his horrific leg break in February 2010 whilst promising Ghanian Emmanuel Frimpong has also returned to full fitness following a ligament injury at the beginning of the season.

Also, this season will only mature the much maligned Abou Diaby, who if he keeps a cool head and a fit body, will continue to flourish.

And of course the attack.

Wenger's squad still boast some of the finest attacking displays in Europe and it is almost certain to strengthen next season. Whilst Andrei Arshavin and Nicklas Bendtner are set to depart in the upcoming summer, there are numerous positives for the Gunner's attacking prowes.

Acquired during the summer as a free agent, Marouane Chamakh has shown that he can be an immense asset to the Arsenal forward line. Yes, since 2011 arrived the Moroccan has endured a downfall in playing time due to Robin van Persie, but in the first half of the season, when both Bendtner and van Persie were injured, the 27-year-old thrived.

With a tremendous work rate, midfield like intelligence and impressive feet alongside a strong physical presence, Chamakh instills a new dimension to the Arsenal attack and a consistent goal threat. The Moroccan international was able to scored 10 times during his first half of EPL football.

Robin van Perise has proven that despite how many injuries thrash his body, the Dutchman will always be a consistent goal scoring threat. The Arsenal vice captain is also destined to be at the Emirates for a long amount of time which is only a boost for the young Arsenal squad.

Meanwhile Theo Walcott showed when fit just how devastating the Englishman really is. The dynamo will grow immensely after this season after completing over 100 appearances in the Premier League, despite being 22.

The Enlgish international is still so young yet has proven that ignoring injuries, he is ready to rival Messi as one of the small yet lethal strikers in world football.

Yet somehow this season is a disappointment for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger. The influence money has at the Emirates is so small yet they achieve so much.

The future is overwhelmingly bright for the North London giants, and although there is the distinct lack of trophies, there are so many positives to acquire from 2010/2011.