Source: Daily_Mail
Why Arsene Wenger's Arsenal keep falling short
It should have been the week when Arsenal confirmed their title credentials and cruised into the knockout stage of the Champions League. [LNB]Instead, after a confidence-sapping defeat by Tottenham and a European humbling in Braga, Arsene Wenger's side are looking like nearly men again. Simon Cass analyses what's going wrong. [LNB]The wrong kind of leader? After the summer saga of Barcelona's public pursuit of Cesc Fabregas, the midfielder's commitment to the Arsenal cause has been beyond reproach. He is at the heart of all that is good in their play. The Spaniard's flair will be sorely missed over the next three weeks after he suffered yet more hamstring trouble, but is he really the right man to wear the armband? [LNB] Off colour: Fabregas limped off with a hamstring injury during the Braga defeat [LNB]His game is all about spending his time high up the pitch, instigating attacking moves with killer passes and bursting runs. By its very nature that role leaves little scope for him to marshal Arsenal's defence or to sit deep, assess the situation and issue orders accordingly. He certainly leads by example but the captaincy would be better suited to a player with less attacking responsibility. [LNB]You're kidding yourselves In times of trouble, Arsenal would be better off if they had a wise old head among the talented youngsters; a player with the wisdom and experience of Tony Adams or Patrick Vieira. Tomas Rosicky, at 30, is their oldest midfielder but is hardly a steady hand. [LNB]Alex Song is developing into a fine player but is not the finished article when it comes to the defensive midfield role, which requires the discipline to hold position and not get too far ahead of the ball. [LNB] Old head: but Squillaci isn't a natural leader [LNB]As for the defence, Sebastien Squillaci, 30, is the oldest head but is steady rather than commanding. The past two games have provided compelling evidence that Arsenal are short of experience. As Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes pointed out: 'A more experienced team would never have been turned over like they were against us.' [LNB]Gung-ho GunnersWhat exactly were Arsenal doing piling forward against Braga with seven minutes to go, when a goalless draw would have seen them through to the knockout stage? [LNB]That Matheus was allowed to break forward and find himself one-on-one with Lukasz Fabianski for Braga's opener was down to the fact Arsenal's defensive line was so high.[LNB] At the double: Matheus scored two late goals to stun the Gunners [LNB] He was able to beat the offside trap with ease. It was all the more bemusing given Arsenal were down to 10 men, having lost Emmanuel Eboue after using all their substitutes.[LNB] In the wake of throwing away a two-goal lead against Spurs, Wenger spoke of a lack of 'cautiousness' and the need to be more 'concrete'. [LNB]Arsenal's free-flowing football makes them a joy to watch but why can't they adopt a more pragmatic approach when needed? Title-winning sides know when to stick and when to twist. [LNB]Defensive deficiencies Thomas Vermaelen was arguably the best buy of last season but the Belgian's achilles problem means he has been sorely missed at centre back.[LNB]Missing in action: Vermaelen hasn't played for Arsenal since August [LNB] Laurent Koscielny, the summer buy who was supposed to be Vermaelen's regular partner, is looking like an expensive mistake. Bad positioning has contributed to Koscielny's two red cards this season and his performances have been littered with errors.[LNB] If Arsenal had been prepared to push the boat out a little further for Everton's Phil Jagielka, it is questionable whether Koscielny would have been signed. [LNB]Meanwhile, Squillaci was brought in as a squad player but has been called upon more than anticipated due to Vermaelen's injury and Koscielny's indiscretions. [LNB]Strangely, Johan Djourou, despite having electric pace and being strong in the tackle, seems to be only fourth choice. At least Djourou was big enough to admit all is not well at the back in the wake of conceding two late goals in Braga. 'They were silly goals,' he said. 'We should have avoided them.' [LNB]Wenger lambasted Braga's negative tactics but the only statistic which really mattered was their two goals from three shots on target. The Gunners managed just one shot on target. Fabianski was not to blame for either goal, but question marks remain over his ability to deal with aerial balls. With an already leaky defence, a keeper who fails to inspire confidence in those in front of him only adds to Arsenal woes at the back. [LNB]Time to spend? Two points behind Chelsea and Manchester United in the table, one home win away from the knockout stage of the Champions League and in the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup. It is certainly not all doom and gloom for Arsenal. But if they are to avoid a sixth straight season without a trophy then Wenger has his work cut out. [LNB]He has money to spend in January and must if Arsenal are not to again lose touch with their rivals. A goalkeeper, centre back and defensive midfielder all with proven pedigrees should be on his shopping list. [LNB] Martin Keown: Arsenal were being lazy all over the pitch in shock Braga defeat Djourou admits it will be disastrous if Arsenal don't qualify for knockout stages Ramsey sets sights on Arsenal return after ending nine-month injury hellARSENAL FC
