From the very beginning, let me warn you that this article is for Arsenal fans only, and I want to tell every Gunners supporter that this is not a criticism of Arsene Wenger, because I love the club dearly.

I just intend to remember and honour the best football Arsenal have ever played during my life.

The background of this article is formed on clips that I was seeing of previous Arsenal matches, the 5-3 drubbing of Middlesbrough, the 7-0 victory over Everton and many more. This was football at its purest. The team was complete, from defenders to midfielders to the genius of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp.

'The grace and composure of Henry and Bergkamp was only matched by Zinedine Zidane'


The goals Henry scored and created, the brilliance he showed on the pitch made him like a king, royal and majestic. And beside him was a true artist in football, a star among the galaxy of greats in the shape of the creativity and passing of Bergkamp. It was as if Henry and Bergkamp were one. The grace and composure they showed was only matched by Zinedine Zidane.

And it was followed by the pace, trickery and finishing of Robert Pires, Jose Antonio Reyes and Freddie Ljungberg, it was an attack made in heaven.

And then there was the rock that was Patrick Vieira, one of the most dominant midfielders I had ever seen, a true leader who held the defence together along with Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Kolo Toure and Lauren.

It was as if the entire team lifted itself, and took football to another stratosphere. The understanding, the movement was pure wizardly.



In the Middlesbrough match, after the goal scored by Reyes to make it 4-3, Sky commentator Martin Tyler said: "Stand up for the champions!" And I remember the ecstasy and joy of Arsenal fans - on that day in Highbury, they were witnessing a truly historic event. The adrenaline, the rush and joy on the faces of the Arsenal team and supporters made it one of the happiest days of my life.

In the game against Everton, the team showed absolute brilliance. Edu could not hold back his tears, and you could really feel for him after the game.

That era has gone. Vieira, Henry, Ljungberg and Cole sold. Pires, Campbell and Lauren allowed to leave. Bergkamp retired. Reyes forced his way out. And as they left, we slowly drifted from champions to runners up and now we are fighting for fourth place, with an outside chance of winning of the Premier League.

Whatever the reason, it brings me to a question. Was it worth it? Was pursuing the policy of a one-year contract good for the club? Did the experience of Vieira count for nothing? And can anyone say that it is a successful method, especially if you look at the performances of Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes at Old Trafford?

And with all the money gained, why have we not bought players that show some real promise, especially when the board constantly reiterates that money for transfers is available?

Of the current lot, Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie, William Gallas and Toure are world-class players. Vassiriki Diaby is in his third season as is Theo Walcott. Where are the leaders and match-winners? Who is running half as well as Pires and Ljungberg? Tomas Rosicky spends more time off the field than on it.

And where is the finishing and the dominance that we sought to replace? I do not care about trophies at the moment, but unfortunately I do not see Arsene being able to create a set of players as talented as the earlier ones.

I am a little sad after seeing recent matches. I continue to support my team, and I believe they will get there. But there is still a lot to for them to do.