Arsenal FC: Arsene Wenger Is Finished at the Emirates

Arsenal will struggle to make the Champions League for next season after a revamped Liverpool and the early-season form of Tottenham Hotspur look set to resign them to at least a 5th place finish.

Even at this early stage of the season, Arsenal are too reliant on the impressive Robin Van Persie for goals. The game against Stoke was further evidence of his increased importance at the Emirates stadium if Arsenal are to be feared again.

People talk about squad depth and January signings being pivotal, but Arsene Wenger has had all summer long to create a squad to challenge, knowing full well that he was likely to lose Cesc Fabregas along the way. He just hasn't done his job for Arsenal this season in the transfer market. Per Mertesacker has struggled to adapt, and Mikel Arteta's best years are behind him after being dogged by injuries for the last few seasons.

Arsenal's first team against Liverpool this season was substandard due to injuries and suspensions, but even so, I think they would have struggled. I just can't see where they are going to go from here without fresh ideas and a serious influx of proven ability. Talent exists at Arsenal, of that there is no doubt, but talent needs maturity and experience to learn from, not just a few patch-up players to nurse a gaping wound.

Van Persie is stalling on committing to a new contract, and who can blame him? He wants assurances that Fabregas and Nasri will be replaced with players of the same calibre, not loan signings that Liverpool sold over a year ago for 5 million pounds.

Change happens quickly in football, and Arsenal have three simple steps to rectify their ailing season.

Firstly, they need Van Persie signed up on a long deal. The commitment from him will assure other players that their captain believes in the club, and it will help attract new signings.

Secondly, Arsene Wenger needs to accept that his time is up. Despite the great achievements he has made at the club, he's gotten it wrong for a while now and needs a new challenge. You've never seen Alex Ferguson questioned over his ability to forge a new title-challenging team, and that's the difference. Arsene did it once upon a time, but that was too long ago.

Thirdly and finally, Arsenal need to spend. Forget about making the squad of 2035 and start making a squad for 2012.

Football is here and now, and without good investment for the present, there is no future. Make a marquee signing for the fans, give them something to rant and rave about and the feel-good factor would soon return. Who was the last big player to sign for Arsenal? I don't even remember.

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