Arsenal: The crumbling giants of English football

Remember when it was cool to be an Arsenal fan? Do you remember when Arsenal were setting the bench mark for English football? Gone are those days, now Arsenal has become a stepping stone for players. Everyone seems to think the club cares only about financial profits rather than trophies.

It has been 7 years and 2 months since Patrick Viera’s penalty sealed Arsenal’s tenth FA cup. It was a magnificent victory for Wenger and his boys as they defeated their arch rivals Manchester United; ironically it spelt the end of Arsenal's trophy haul (for now anyway).

FA Cup 2005: Arsenal's last major trophy

Arsenal’s ex captain Patrick Viera led the exodus of players after completing his move to Juventus.  Other stars were to follow suit including Theirry Henry to FC Barcelona, Robert Pires to Villareal, and Ashley Cole to Chelsea. All of these stars have won major trophy since leaving Arsenal. Is the pasture always greener away from the emirates?

Arsenal has simply become a selling club but it’s time this policy changes or it will spell the end of one of England’s biggest club. However, it will be unfair to say Arsenal has not invested in the transfer market but the truth is they have not signed any experienced world class players in the past few years.  Come on; look at Chamakh’s awful record. 12 goals in 63 games is simply not good enough.

They have stuck with Wenger’s policy to purchase talented youngsters and turn them into world class players but as soon as these players become established players, they leave in search for greener pastures. Samir Nasir is the perfect example. He was signed by Arsenal from Marseille for £12 million. He was relatively unknown but evidently talented. He became one of Wenger’s star player and a vital part of the Arsenal set up as a world class midfielder.  He has since left arsenal for £24 million to join Manchester City and has already won a league title in his first season.

According to reports, Arsenal’s captain Robin Van Persie has agreed to sign for Juventus. Nothing has been made official yet, so there is still a possibility that RVP will remain at Arsenal at the start of the season. RVP scored 30 goals in 38 games last season. It is important for Arsenal to keep RVP if they plan to challenge for titles next season especially after the addition of Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.

Carzola has been added to the midfield and with rumours of a loan move for Sahin surfacing the net, Arsenal are looking stronger than last year. They need to buy another centre back and they will be right up there fighting for various titles next season but mediocre players like Per Mertesacker, Johan Djourou and Abou Diaby  need to move on first.

However if Arsenal go another season without a title, surely it will be time to part company with their greatest manager yet. Perhaps new club owners and a new manager?  I believe Mourinho will be the perfect candidate to replace Arsene Wenger because his enthusiasm for the game and his ability to attract the biggest name in world football will take Arsenal back to the summit of English football and perhaps lead them to their first European title in their history. What do you think?