http://bleacherreport.com/articles/816918-arsenal-fc-star-defections-put-gunners-youth-philosophy-at-a-crossroadsArsenal FC: Star Defections Put Gunners Youth Philosophy at a CrossroadsArsene Wenger must choose a clear direction for Arsenal and fast. The sale of star skipper Cesc Fabregas along with the club's confirmation that Samir Nasri is joining top four rivals Manchester City, have presented a tricky dilemma for Wenger.
The heart of the issue is simple. If Wenger is serious about pursuing Premier League and European glory, then money must be spent on established stars.
But if the club remain committed to developing youth, then expectations have to become more realistic in order to reflect this stance.
The existing squad cannot possibly be expected to compete with the big spending Manchester duo and Chelsea. Arsenal simply do not possess the quality to win enough games to secure the top trophies.
For all the plaudits currently being given to Manchester United, commending their own efforts to go with young talent, the league Champions have still spent close to £50 million this summer.
Their bench for yesterday's customary demolition of Tottenham Hotspur featured Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez.
The addition of Juan Mata makes facing Chelsea an even more daunting task than usual. Manchester City have shown in their first two league fixtures the depth of quality attacking resources at Roberto Mancini's disposal.
If Arsenal really expect to challenge alongside these expensively assembled squads, then the Gunners need better players.
Wenger with the support of the board must back their supposed intent with the finances needed to secure superior talent.
Conversely if the club are still focused on operating on a budget and unearthing younger, cheaper talents, then this needs to be reflected more in the first-team squad.
This means that instead of parting with huge fees to find like for like replacements for Fabgregas and Nasri, Arsenal should promote from within.
True youth development means elevating an emerging talent like Kyle Ebecilio or Chuks Aneke. Not turning to under performing second tier players like Abou Diaby and Tomas Rosicky who have had long enough to convince.
One of the most disappointing aspects of Saturday's defeat to Liverpool was the sight of Nicklas Bendtner entering the fray.
The inconsistent striker has been angling for a move all summer. But Wenger still turned to the Danish international to replace a very ineffective Theo Walcott.
If Bendtner continues to be the alternative then why buy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain? Why go to the trouble of obtaining a work permit for Ryo Miyaichi?
If the philosophy is about giving youngsters a chance then why not go with Chamberlain or Miyaichi? If Chamberlain is not ready to supplant Bendtner for a league game, then isn't the fee paid for him a waste?
The money spent on Chamberlain could have instead been put towards the purchase of an established player, ready to add something to the starting 11 immediately.
Signing talented players at the age of 17 and holding them back from first team action until their early twenties does not constitute a true youth philosophy.
It is this inconsistency in the club's direction that led to Samir Nasri starting against Liverpool. Instead of picking a player counting down the days until he jumps ship, a promising youngster could have been given the chance to stake his claim.
Arsenal's incoherent philosophy has left the squad in a state of limbo and created unrealistic and over bearing expectations for success.
To be genuine contenders money will have to be spent. The arrival of marquee signings means the club will have to live with the resulting delay to the development of youngsters like Aaron Ramsey, Kieran Gibbs and Emmanuel Frimpong. This will be the price of attaining major honours.
If Arsene Wenger and the board won't or can't engage in lavish spending aimed at a quick fix, then they must temper expectations for the young squad.
Arsenal's contradictory approach to team building has created a worrying malaise. Trying to claim the sport's biggest prizes with a cheap and insufficient talent base has led to tremendous tension between the club's hierarchy and fans.
Arsene Wenger has to decide on a single, coherent strategy to rebuild his team, or further angry recriminations are in store as the season progresses.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3767634/Ian-Wright-tells-Arsene-Wenger-The-whole-world-can-see-how-low-Arsenal-we-are.htmlThe whole world can see how low we are, Arsene....IT is a disturbing image I cannot get out of my mind - Arsene Wenger sitting there soaked to the skin with his head bowed into his hands.
This shocking sight during last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Liverpool screamed out such a depressing message about life at Arsenal Football Club today.
Here was an act of desperation, a very worried man sitting there frantically rubbing his head in frustration and exasperation.
A man who looks like he feels the whole world is closing in on him.
A man who is witnessing everything going wrong all around him but who feels utterly powerless to intervene.
It is such a powerful, emotive picture that it will have gone all around the world by now.
Every football fan will have seen it, every football player will have seen it, every football club chairman will have seen it.
Whoever Arsenal go for now in the market it will be at an inflated price. Everyone can see they are desperate.
No wonder Valencia's Juan Mata has just chosen to sign for Chelsea ahead of the Gunners.
It really is a no-brainer for the lad, isn't it?
Let us be honest, any top player would have to think twice about signing for Arsenal right now.
Any top-quality international who had a choice would seriously have to consider going elsewhere and, though I love Arsenal, I can understand it.
Listen, when I had my chance to join them I did not hesitate for a moment.
I was so keen I did not even bother how much was in my contract. I was just happy for my agent to make the deal.
A lot of that was because of the players already there, players proud to wear the red shirt of Arsenal.
But these days it is a totally different story.
I know it is early in the season but, at present, I see Arsenal as a club in freefall.
They are like a skydiver who has just leapt out of a plane and realised his parachute will not deploy.
For me, it seems the whole club's structure is finally reaping what it has sown.
Wenger has had to put so much faith in his youth policy and wanting to prove that he can indeed win with youngsters.
But now he is finding it has become a bridge too far.
It is a sobering situation. The idea Arsenal may not be in the Champions League this season should be unthinkable.
They have been in it every year since it started but this time are having to qualify.
I never thought qualification was a given, especially after the Gunners drew Udinese.
And I am telling you the Italians will really fancy their chances of knocking Arsenal out.
Arsenal may be 1-0 up but Udinese showed at the Emirates they are a very dangerous side who can cause plenty of problems.
They will be even more dangerous at home, especially against a team with so many inexperienced players having to perform under such incredible pressure.
So the fact that Wenger has just been banished to the stands once again for the match is the least of his worries in a game in which so much is at stake.
I think this is the most important game in the whole of Arsene Wenger's tenure at Arsenal.
That is no exaggeration and I have to admit that I am really worried.
It is no secret the club is at a major crossroads. But I have been warning this day would come for years and years.
I have been calling on Wenger and the board to bring in some quality and experience to go alongside all those talented youngsters.
David Villa would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
David Silva would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
Wesley Sneijder would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
Edin Dzeko would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
Phil Jones or Chris Smalling would have been brilliant for Arsenal.
All those players have been available recently and a great club like Arsenal should have been out there competing fiercely for their signatures.
They were not.
And that is why it has come to this - Arsenal now in danger of going out of the Champions League and finishing sixth, seventh or eighth in the Premier League when they are expected to fight for the title.
It gives me no pleasure at all to say that. In fact, it hurts.
I have never said anything derogatory about Arsenal in my life. I have only ever told the truth.
And the truth to me is that the club has let down both the players and the fans.
I am sure when those players signed their contracts at Arsenal, they were expecting to win trophies and compete at the highest level.
I am sure they were also expecting some top-name stars to be signed to help achieve that.
But they have been let down and it is a crying shame.
It has cost the club Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure, Gael Clichy, Cesc Fabregas and probably Samir Nasri too.
Who will be next to leave? Robin van Persie?
Personally, I cannot see Jack Wilshere staying put for long either if the situation does not change.
Like the rest, the England midfielder will be leaving Arsenal for a bigger club where there is more chance of silverware.
And I never thought I would ever hear myself say that!
