“We can only talk about pencilling in pre-season, where we are going, where are training, which teams we might play and when we are going to start back”.
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In a recent interview, the Black Cats manager – whose team now sits at 18th and are four points deep in the relegation zone – criticized Wenger and his Arsenal squad for failing to take advantage of a golden opportunity to win their first Premier League title in over a decade.
Arsenal’s draw against West Ham last weekend seriously dented any remaining title hopes.
The Premier League giants are ready to listen to offers for full-backs Kieran Gibbs and Mathieu Debuchy as well as allow Mathieu Flamini, Mikel Arteta and Tomas Rosicky to leave when their contracts expire in the summer.
“If Arsenal – as looks increasingly likely – aren’t crowned champions this season, it is an indictment of Wenger’s methods”.
So in a perverse way in can benefit the side, but on the whole it is hugely detrimental to a team’s title chances.
“I look at Guardiola coming in to Man City and we have to assume Mourinho is going to Man United; where will Arsenal be next season with Arsene Wenger yet again?” To come back to that level is absolutely important in the Premier League, and if you don’t you will get punished. “Norwich will be must-win for us because they are our nearest rivals and we will have to go all out to get the three points”. And with that comes… well, an Arsenal season. Arsenal have fallen at the Round of 16 hurdle in each year since.
“I’ve said for eight years now that Arsene Wenger had run his course at Arsenal”.
Do you turn to a club legends like Bergkamp, Henry or Adams and trust their success as former players, or place your faith in an unknown “Moyes-like figure”, with the likes of the domestically unproven and Champions League virgin Roberto Martinez and even Eddie Howe being thrown into the mix.
Where would they be had Santi Cazorla stayed fit beyond November?
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Squillaci spent three seasons at the north London club but only played a major role in his first season where he made 32 appearances in the 2010/11 season. The dilemmas faced in team-selection, transfer targets and match day tactics forced upon Wenger over the years has led to Arsenal consistently falling short, with the manager often being criticised – but perhaps there are more factors at work here than just a stubborn Frenchman.
