Former Players Views

[Cripps_orig]

Former Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Petit believes Arsene Wenger has reached his lowest point at the club.

The Gunners were eliminated from the FA Cup on Saturday, losing 2-0 away to Sunderland, whilst they look to be out of the Champions League having lost 4-0 in the first leg of their tie with AC Milan.

They are also 17 points below Premier League leaders Manchester City in fourth place and look set to finish without a trophy for the seventh successive season - their last win coming in the 2005 FA Cup.

However, although former Gunner Petit believes Wenger is currently at a low ebb, he insists that the players should take some responsibility.

He told BBC: "This is the worst moment of Arsene's career with Arsenal.”

“The players have to look in the mirror, be honest and ask questions of themselves.

“They are playing like they don't know what's going on, they don't know what to do on the pitch. Mentally, they are very weak.”

Arsenal were defeated at the last minute in the 2011 League Cup by Birmingham City, and Petit recalled that loss as the moment when their problems intensified.

He added: "Birmingham was the crucial point. From then on, the players started to lose confidence in the policy at Arsenal.

"Arsene built success based on experienced players and big characters. All of a sudden he decided to completely change it, put confidence in young players.

"For five years they were close to winning something but they didn't and that's why they have to change the policy.

"They have to bring in more experience and big characters. They need leaders. But you cannot sign big players if you are not in the Champions League."

The Frenchman also spoke of the destabilising effect of the summer sales of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri to Barcelona and Manchester City respectively.

He continued: "How they managed that was terrible. Nothing was controlled. Everything was done so quickly without thinking.

"Every year they're selling their best players. Arsenal are not a football academy - they're one of the biggest clubs in Europe and need to get back to that level.

"They have to spend money to get the big names, and they must also ask some players to leave."

http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/...rs-career-with

[Syn]

In that same interview, Petit also said:

But the former Gunner believes it would be the "biggest mistake" to sack Wenger who he says is "still the solution".

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17088995

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GEORGE GRAHAM has delivered a devastating verdict on Arsene Wenger's Arse-nil flops.

The Gunners legend piled into Wenger with a blistering assessment of the crisis gripping the Emirates.Graham, 67, who won the Double with Arsenal as a player in 1971 and bossed them to two league titles in 1989 and 1991, pulled no punches as he:
Blasted Wenger for buying flops, saying a summer clear-out is a must.
Insisted the board have doubts about the French boss after what will be their seventh season without winning a trophy.
Declared that star striker Robin van Persie will leave and Gunners should get rid of Theo Walcott as the England winger has not fulfilled his potential.Graham said: "Yes, Arsenal are in crisis. It has been slipping away for the last couple of years."They've not been replacing those players who left four or five years ago."They're lacking leaders and the quality of the players they're bringing in is just not up to the standard if you want to win the Premier League."Arsenal crashed out of the FA Cup 2-0 at Sunderland on Saturday — three days after they were humiliated 4-0 at Milan in the Champions League.They are currently fourth in the Premier League but a massive 17 points behind leaders Manchester City and 10 adrift of bitter rivals Tottenham, who are third.And Graham admits Arsenal's board must have concerns about the Frenchman turning things around.He added: "Arsene's not won anything now for the last six years so there would be doubt in there. They've got money and I can't understand why Arsene has not gone out and bought some real quality players."But he has a fantastic reputation and I don't think the board will forget what he has done."I think he will still be there next season but he badly needs to refresh the playing side of the club. He needs to keep bringing youngsters through but he must buy quality, experienced players to win trophies."Van Persie is out of contract in June 2013 and has delayed talks over a new deal until the end of this season. But Graham believes the Dutch striker will go — and says Walcott should be shipped out too.He added: "Some players at Chelsea and Manchester City are earning £175,000 a week or more."For Van Persie, this will be his last big contract. He'll be 29 when his contract finishes and he's going to be looking for a four-year contract, maybe even five. You can't expect Arsenal to pay that knowing that in his last two years he probably won't be a regular in the team."I would let Walcott go. He was a promising boy but his potential has never really been fulfilled. He has still got fabulous pace but he's been there five years and I can't see a great improvement."Arsenal face another daunting match in Sunday's North London derby at the Emirates. And Graham warned: "They're playing Tottenham next week. Believe me if they lose that one, the fans will be upset."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4139751/George-Graham-in-blast-at-Arsene-Wenger.html

Fans already are

And the non idiotic ones will remain so regardless of the result next sunday

[Letters]

Agree with his comments about Theo.

[Cripps_orig]

I agree on all of his comments

[Olivier's xmas twist]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4139751/George-Graham-in-blast-at-Arsene-Wenger.html

Fans already are

And the non idiotic ones will remain so regardless of the result next sunday

No Arsenal fan will thing are problems are over if we beat spurs, but if we beat our rivals why should they not be happy.

[Letters]

I agree on all of his comments

You've been sucking Theo's cock all season, disagreeing with anyone who has criticised him, and now you agree with Graham when he says he should be shipped out and, he's not fulfilling his potential and he's not improved in 5 years?

OK

[Olivier's xmas twist]

You've been sucking Theo's cock all season, disagreeing with anyone who has criticised him, and now you agree with Graham when he says he should be shipped out and, he's not fulfilling his potential and he's not improved in 5 years?

OK

You do know who your reply too?

[Letters]

Yeah, I know. Just thought I'd highlight it though.

[Cripps_orig]

You've been sucking Theo's cock all season, disagreeing with anyone who has criticised him, and now you agree with Graham when he says he should be shipped out and, he's not fulfilling his potential and he's not improved in 5 years?

OK

Wouldnt care less if any of our players/manager/board were shipped out. That includes Theo

Unlike you and others, i dont have favourites. I support Arsenal and not individual players