By Arsenal Times
January 15 2005

Arsene Wenger has stated he doesn’t intend to buy during the current transfer window. He also believes that Arsenal are still in with a very good chance of retaining the title. His philosophy is summed up as follows:

"I have still great belief in my squad. I am completely convinced we are as a strong as anybody else. Yes we are younger, yes we have less experience but everyday works for these players. I feel we have a talented squad who are improving. "

However this philosophy of Wenger’s is not shared by all Arsenal supporters, and Arsenal Times reprints a contribution from a fan who disagrees, recently posted on our message board. This contribution does not reflect the views of Arsenal Times, but nonetheless it raises a lot of issues that Arsenal fans are debating at the present stage of the championship race.

Author: olosi (82.206.150.219)
Date: 13-01-05 12:08
I think Arsene’ Wenger and the management of Arsenal Football Club are beginning to insult the other teams in the premiership as a result we are 7 points behind a high flying Chelsea. Arsenal has the smallest squad in the premiership which has worked for us so long but seems to be failing us now. Why not, when injuries seem to be the other (order) of the day. It’s unfair to push our first team so hard once again after the hectic unbeaten run. If Arsene Wenger thinks he will retain the title or win FA cup and champions league with this small squad then he is better off dreaming. What we need is to throw aside sentiments and face the problems plaguing our team.

We need quality signings even if it means to break the bank. We need an experienced central defender to partner sol Campbell while we ship Kolo to right full back [I definitely do not want to see Cygan playing for Arsenal cos he causes his team mates to panic]. We need strikers, and mid field playmakers so we can switch Flamini, Cesc, Gilberto [when his back] and Edu [if he stays] and any new buy with viera provided he improves. This will enable injuries not to affect the flow of our games.

For me I think Kolo Toure is better off this season as a right full back since he likes to get forward a lot which has cost us this season so far cos [sic] he is fast becoming a one season wonder. We need a quality striker in the mould of Thierry as Thierry is taking too much on himself with no quality striker picking up his loose balls to score. It is even suicidal that Wenger thinks its all about a disappointing game or two. If he will be honest in his heart he will know that Arsenal handed man utd title two seasons ago because our limited squad could not forge on. [Reason small depth in squad]

The End of 4-4-2 (Ed)?
For one Wenger needs to be flexible with his pattern of play to achieve great results with teams that tend to play tight and defensive game that frustrate us. We should learn to score sol Campbell’s kind of goals. Long range shots that take teams off guard. This will of cause draw them out to give Thierry space to run his show. Until we learn to score 20, 25, 30 yard goals rampantly we will always be frustrated against defensive teams……………
(the full uncut and unedited transcript is on the message board under "our small squad...our game plan for defensive teams."

If you disagree, or agree, or see it all very differently give your views on the message board below: