Manchester United vs. Arsenal: 6 Reasons Arsène Wenger Has to Go After 8-2 Loss
Hungover from losing Cesc Fàbregas and Samir Nasri and without eight senior squad members; we all knew Arsenal had no chance of winning.
But did we envision such a pitiful, such a humiliating and such a grovelling 8-2 mauling?
Arsène Wenger, time's up.
Here are the five reasons Arsenal should bid au revoir to the Frenchmen.
Arsène Wenger Has Become Better at Not Getting Fired Than Winning Trophies
1 of 7Gone are the days of the Invincibles, gone are the days when teams feared Arsenal and gone are the days when there was no disputing Arsène Wenger's competence as a manager.
Trophyless since 2005 and now an 8-2 humiliation to Manchester United.
It sits nicely with the 4-4 choke against Newcastle United, forfeiting a 2-0 lead against Tottenham Hotspur and that comical 2-1 loss to relegation destined Birmingham City in the Carling Cup final.
Will the Real Leader at Arsenal Please Stand Up
2 of 7When Arsenal suffered a 6-1 defeat to Manchester United a decade ago, at least Arsène Wenger saved some face with his side conceding just one goal in the second half.
Whatever Wenger said at half time last night worked wonders because Manchester United would go onto score five more times.
Where's the leadership?
With a young, inexperienced and quiet dressing room; Wenger should have asserted his authority and inspired his team to go out there and fight.
Instead, his team collapsed to their knees, prayed a hail Mary that the scoreline would not reach double figures and died on their knees.
In Arsène We Trust...
3 of 7How can Arsenal fans trust that Arsène Wenger can bring it all together?
Every season, the youth project goes backwards rather than forwards.
Where's the great leap forward?
This season, it was the great leap backwards.
Why does Wenger's youth project go backwards?
The fact is, the youth become seasoned professionals and seasoned professionals want to be champions. They don't want to be habitual losers.
The youth replace the outgoing seasoned professionals and the cycle of youth starts again.
Rinse and repeat.
Illogical Transfer Policy
4 of 7Arsène Wenger has £70 million.
Yes, that's right. Wenger has £70 million in his transfer kitty.
He spends £24 million on attacking players.
Why not buy José Enrique for £6 million? Why not buy a no-nonsense, agricultural, rugged centre-back like Christopher Samba for £15-20 million?
Why continue to buy attacking players when it's defence that's the problem?
Season after season, defence costs Arsenal.
What cost Arsenal last night?
What cost Arsenal in the Carling Cup final?
What cost Arsenal against Newcastle United?
Why not reinforce the defence?
An 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Manchester United? Don't worry, fans. We'll spend another £10 million on an attacking player.
Arsène Wenger Has Lost the Midas Touch
5 of 7From transfer genius to transfer flop. Let's look at some of Arsène Wenger's recent transfers.
William Gallas was so abrasive as a leader that half of the Arsenal squad stopped talking to him.
Denílson was an odd signing. If you're going to go and find a Brazilian, buy some real talent.
Łukasz Fabiański is error ridden.
Andrey Arshavin is naturally a central player, but by not playing him in a central role, he drifts in and out of games.
Laurent Koscielny's arrival was symbolic in that Philippe Senderos was released at about the same time. Koscielny either has a standout game or has an awful game.
At least Arsenal didn't cave into Bordeaux's pressure when it came to Marouane Chamakh and instead waited to get the Moroccan on a free transfer. He's failed to impress so far.
Carl Jenkinson is simply not an Arsenal-calibre full back.
Don't Let Sentiment Cloud Your Judgement
6 of 7The Invincibles are but a distant memory. Stop living in the past. Live in the present.
Last season, Sir Alex Ferguson discussed how there was no room for sentiment in the Premier League.
For Arsenal fans, there is this sentiment that Arsène Wenger will get it all together and his boys will triumph over men.
Ironically, last night, it was Ferguson's boys that played like men against Wenger's boys who frankly played like boys.
Six years and counting—how many more years can Arsenal fans tolerate being losers?
Forget about the 8-2 loss to a Manchester United starting lineup that, on average, was 24 years old.
How about that Carling Cup loss to Birmingham City, who were relegated?
How about that disastrous 4-4 choke against Newcastle United?
How about letting Tottenham Hotspur come back from 2-0 down to 3-2 at your home for the first time in 17 years?
There was life before Wenger and there will be life after Wenger.
Your Opinion
7 of 7Arsenal suffered an unfortunate set of circumstances, which burdened them with a seemingly inevitable loss to Manchester United.
The question was, would Manchester United take pity or kick them to the curb?
They kicked them to the curb.
However, kneejerking and sacking Arsène Wenger right now would be as intelligent as spending £24 million (soon to be £34 million) on attacking players, despite the fact you have a shoddy defence.
Arsenal should plan for a successor and give Wenger till the end of the season to shape up. If his performances are unsatisfactory, replace him.
If you're an Arsenal supporter, I want your opinion. Comment below.
Will Wenger kneejerk and buy new players after what transpired last night?
Do you want a new manager?
If so, who is the new manager and should Wenger be sacked now or at the end of the season?
Please also read Champions League Draw 2011: Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal.
