Arsenal FC: Arsene Wenger's Gunners' Downfall Simply Down to a Lack of Grit

Every season, everyone sees an Arsenal squad that bears immense ability and quality going forward, a side that can pass the ball like no other and at times play the most fashionable football on television.

However, their greatest downfall in recent years has been their lack of courage and toughness in the middle of the park—or, to be quite honest, all over the field.

Many question the experience that the current Arsenal side have—are their too many youngsters in this team? Do they lack the type of personality and character that can carry the team to the finish line?

My response to that argument is simply that you cannot keep calling this team "young"—you cannot keep labelling them as inexperienced.

Many of them have been in the league for more than five years. This team is as experienced as any other, has more quality and more skill.

So, why the disappointment and heartbreak every season?

Remember the days of Vieira, Pires, Gilberto and Thierry Henry? The list goes on.

These players had more to them than just fancy football—they had mettle, the nerve and most importantly the tenacity to triumph in games regardless of the manner and scoreline.

Patrick Vieira was the backbone of the midfield, a player whose strength both physically and mentally went unequalled at times.

Today, we see Fabregas, Wilshere, Song and Diaby, all of whom are skilled footballers with tons of talent and ability and who, on their day, can destroy any opposition.

But that's the difference when you compare them to the team of 2003-2004, who went an entire season undefeated. It's simply consistency.

Yesterday, the Gunners lost 3-1 to Stoke City. Player for player, they are a team that might not bring the same quality to the table as the London outfit, but they are a team that has as much "grit" and passion as any team on the planet.

On the field, they have shown everything that Arsenal lack.

So, while Arsene Wenger might feel the need to save his pounds and pennies and instead bring in the next "great" from his academy, the opposition continue to dominate and, most importantly, lift silverware.

Soon, it could be too late. Soon, the heartache and disappointment could affect even the best—questions are once again being thrown into the hat as to whether the likes of Fabregas, Van Persie and Nasri will remain.

Many Gunners fans are going to continue to back their coach—that's understandable. The question is, for how long?

Next season, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool will all be stronger and the league will be tougher.

Will Wenger start to spend? Who will he bring in? Will he continue to play in the same manner and use the same excuses next season?

Has the Arsenal way, or rather, Wenger's way been the downfall of Arsenal and the reason for their failure to clinch any silverware in recent years? How long before change?