Written by George Sezer Sunday, 08 May 2011 23:25

GunnerTalk Blog

George Sezer

What a fitting performance to show what is wrong with our Arsenal; 74% of the possession with 87% passing accuracy but without the cutting edge, combined with comical/suicidal defending. It has been the story of this season…and the last … and the one before…

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to work out where our problems lie; the Arsenal team line up against a team like Stoke City, away:

Szczesny – Very promising young keeper with no Premiership history. How can we expect a goalkeeper at such a young age to perform in the EPL consistently at the required high level?  Age 21

Sagna – One of the few established players who has been over used during this season due to lack of top class cover. Age 28

Gibbs – Promising young left back but not yet ready for Premiership. Age 21

Djourou – Before his serious injury he was never considered to be a regular centre back but somehow became our only main one after he made his comeback halfway through this season. Age 24

Koscielny – A new addition to the squad who had to play regularly in his first season in English football due to the shortage of personnel for the CB position in the squad. Age 25

Song – Emerged as a very good defensive midfielder only last season. He also has been over used due to lack of cover in this vital position. Age 23

Wilshere – What a player, Arsenal through and through but this is his first full season in the Premiership. Age 19

Ramsey – He’s just come back to full fitness after the well documented, career threatening injury. No doubt about his ability but should he be playing a main role in a game like this? Age 20

Walcott – He is fast establishing himself as a regular in the first team. Still has off-games like today's. Age 22

Arshavin – A luxury player who can be devastating when he is on it but not the type of player a team like ours need at this time. Age 29

Van Persie – What can you say about the man. Where would we be if it wasn’t for him this season? I can’t imagine how he must have felt when Djouru messed up (not for the first time) big time for their 3^rd killer goal shortly after he brought us back into the game with a brilliant individual goal. Age 27

I know we were missing 2 massive players in Fabregas and Nasri but that is part and parcel of  modern football  and should have enough depth and experience in the squad to deal with it.

The team above do have talent and promise in abundance but there is no team in this World would taste success with the amount of defensive mistakes our team make.

What needs to be done is clear; the foundation of the team needs to be rebuilt. We need an experienced top class goalkeeper to nurture our young one under his wing, a commanding CB with leadership qualities is a must, and so is a proper competition for DM position – Every team that plays at this level has to have two or more defensive midfielders in their squad, we only have one. And last but not least we must have depth with quality in the squad.

I hope this 3-1 defeat to Stoke City is the final reminder for Arsene Wenger that the current squad is NOT ‘the best he’s ever had’ but on the contrary, in need of some major surgery in the summer.