Arsene Wenger is arguably one of the best managers to ever brace the Premier League. From 1996 he has brought fantastic football and new ways of managing a football team which led Arsenal right to the top – once again winning trophies and creating some of the biggest stars world football has ever seen. However, every manager has a thorn in their side, and for Arsenal and Arsene Wenger that has always been the ability to compete with the top four teams. There are a few solid reasons as to why Wenger’s team often capitulates against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City alike, and has also not registered a win in 14 games against these teams in England’s top division.
Finances
This is an easy one to discuss and has been a hot talking point in relation to Arsenal for over half a decade. Since Arsenal left Highbury and invested a large fortune into their new state of the art stadium – The Emirates in 2006, the availability of funding for players was scarce. This meant that the top teams around them such as Manchester City (recently evident in the last four years) and Chelsea especially had gained on the Gunners in terms of bringing in world class players. Therefore, the North London club have always found themselves with a lot of talent in their side but without the depth in numbers or quality to kick on from the fourth position attained almost every season. This has had consequences when facing Manchester United and Chelsea sides only a few years ago as players like Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Nani, Lampard, Drogba and more have been on peak form and have penetrated the London reds far more easily than the Gunners boss would care to admit.
The killer edge
Arsenal’s performances have been questionable against top four sides, however, not all have been woeful from Wenger’s me. One issue has meant that they have been punished by the opposition ferociously – that killer edge, the ability to strike key blows on their opposition at key moments in the game or at times of dominance. It could be said that Arsenal no longer have the players that can fearlessly step up to the plate to provide it such as the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Freddie Ljungberg or Robert Pires of the past.
This has shown in games and has cost them dearly as Wenger’s high ranking opposition have that killer blow that puts them out of the game, as evident at the weekend as a much improved Arsenal performance turned into a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, with goals provided with two killer blows from a piece of Hazard magic that gifted them a penalty to take the lead. This was then followed by a late Diego Costa chip after a wonderful ball by former red, Cesc Fabregas (both turning up at the moment when needed to put the game to bed).
Physical competition
Furthermore, Arsenal, since the exodus of great players, have lost that physical competitiveness in these matches as players like Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Gilberto Silva and more used to be that presence in midfield that gave them the physical battle in midfield to aid their fantastic technical ability. However, now Arsenal seem to have lost that in the centre of midfield other than Mathieu Flamini. Players like Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Tomas Rosicky are examples of players who have great technical ability on the ball, but when coming up against the physically ready midfield or defences of teams like Chelsea or Manchester City, they have come unstuck and been beaten off the ball by hungry and determined players.
Leadership
One key area since the reshape of Arsenal’s team has been leadership. Recently they have had great players captain the side like Fabregas, Van persie and Thomas Vermaelen, but they have all left the club after those respective seasons leaving huge gaps in those positions in quality but also in a capable leader who can also get stuck in and lead their team both tactically and passionately. A top representation of this would be the 6-3 defeat to the Citizens and the 6-0 defeat to Chelsea, where the Gunners capitulated with no leadership to raise their game – albeit a hearty effort from the big German Per Mertesacker to rally the troops and his angry release at Mesut Ozil after the game. But for now it seems difficult to spot a true leader in Arsenal’s ranks until someone steps up to make a difference.
Mind games
It is very apparent that Frenchman Wenger has come under criticism when conflicts between him and Jose Mourinho arise. The two managers have a history between them – on a football side Wenger has never beaten the Portuguese coach’s side and off the pitch they have both always made comments about one another. It seems that Jose’s Chelsea are one team Wenger cannot find a way past as Mourinho is a great tactician and has developed a method of football that almost kills off Wenger’s approach, despite Arsenal showing quality on many occasions. The Gunners boss, however, has persevered with his methods and not looked into any weakness that could open a gateway to success, meaning that Jose can repeat his tactics and will outwit Arsenal every game.
Overall, things for the reds manager to consider would be to ensure his team can show no mercy when it comes to finding that killer edge, and to toughen up and fight for the games against these teams as the technical qualities are not showing through. Also, in January buying a solid, strong and reliably defensive midfielder would be very beneficial to allow the offensive talent to let go more as well as providing solid defensive cover. Furthermore, someone in the Gunners ranks needs to find their inner leader and show determination in rallying the team and show great tactical awareness on the pitch for Wenger’s sake. Lastly, to beat the top four teams – especially Chelsea, Arsene needs to bring another dimension to his team’s game if they are to work a way through Mourinho’s men.