The Arsenal fans behavior towards Arsene Wenger, at the train station in Stoke-on-Trent, after the Gunner’s 3-2 loss, was disgraceful. I praise Gary Lineker for coming out as quickly as he did and saying so.
He tweeted on Monday, “Disgustingly disrespectful and totally inexcusable, regardless of any football results.”
However, for not replacing Patrick Vieira in the defensive midfield role since his departure at the end of the 2004-2005 season, he may have brought too much unwelcome attention from the fans. There can be no doubt that Arsene has tried to find suitable enforcers such as Abou Diaby, Alex Song, Mathieu Flamini and, even in bizarre circumstances, Kim Kallstrom, on loan during the second half of last season. Unfortunately, due to age, injury and pure lack of talent no one has filled Vieira’s boots effectively.
This season the lack of a suitable replacement can be directly linked to the struggles of the Arsenal defense, which looks absolutely shambolic. After the Stoke game Wenger even regarded them as “soft”. Calum Chambers is young and with six yellows and a red in the Premier League it is quite clear that he needs more protection from the outfield players. But, frankly, Flamini and Arteta are too slow and not skilled enough to cover the ground that they need to in order to provide the necessary cover. Per Mertesacker has also experienced a large dip in form since last season. He has looked slow and uncommanding. Additionally, without his partner, Laurent Koscielny, with whom he formed such a good relationship last season, he has looked clueless. So now, more than perhaps ever before, they need a stalwart in midfield once again. Arsene Wenger did well to get Alexis Sanchez this summer. But, the fans cannot be too happy that Arsenal find themselves in a similar position as several previous seasons, after having signed two big names in two successive summers.
There can be no doubt that Arsene Wenger is a club legend. He has won three League titles, engineered a team that went the season unbeaten and seen a Champions League Final among other things. He may well be leaving at the end of the season. But, after all he has accomplished he deserves until the end of the season and has hit back at his critics by saying so.
“We want to be judged at the end of the season. Not after every single game when emotion is very high," he told reporters.
"We are professional footballers and football people, we have to cope with that [criticism]," he added.
Source: DSG
