The Birmingham result, no January transfers and a temperamental captain have cost the Gunners the Premier League.
... Wenger had £70million to spend in the January transfer window. His failure to buy some wide midfielders and a forward (Nicolas Anelka) has come back to haunt the “Professor”
Following their defeat at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Arsenal’s title hopes are almost certainly over. Only a few weeks ago the Gunners had a commanding lead at the top of the Premier League, but four successive draws and the double from Didier Drogba have seen Manchester United take pole position and Chelsea leap into second.
Arsenal have seven games left to make up a six-point deficit and, with a visit to Old Trafford as part of the run-in, the chances of them winning the Premier League title look very slim. Here are three reasons why Arsenal won’t be winning the league this season:
1. Birmingham away
As the weeks go by this result takes on greater importance. The 2-2 draw with Birmingham was Arsenal’s opportunity to further their lead at the top of the league before Manchester United played at Newcastle later the same day.
When recalling this game, the iconic image is of Martin Taylor’s horrific challenge on Eduardo. The sickening injury appears to have scarred some of Arsenal’s key players in recent weeks. It is as if the Croatian’s broken leg planted seeds of doubt into some key performers in the Gunners’ side.
Arsenal had this match won. Theo Walcott had come off the bench and turned the game round but some poor decisions really cost Arsene Wenger’s team.
Emmanuel Adebayor was played through with 10 minutes to go and should have squared for Nicklas Bendtner to make it 3-1. The Togo striker instead saw his effort saved by Maik Taylor. And in injury-time Gael Clichy, who has had a wonderful season, brought down Stuart Parnaby and James McFadden equalised and halted the Arsenal title charge.
2. Arsene Wenger didn’t strengthen the squad
The Arsenal squad is heavy on quality but light on quantity. This has been illustrated numerous times this season and it is no surprise that Chelsea and Manchester United, the two clubs with the strongest squads in England, are now battling it out for the title.
On Sunday at Stamford Bridge, Robin Van Persie was forced into action despite the fact the Dutchman has clearly not recovered from his injuries. Adebayor’s form has dropped in recent weeks as the squad has been unable to cover for Eduardo’s absence.
It has been claimed by some sources that Wenger had £70million to spend in the January transfer window. His failure to buy some wide midfielders and a forward (Nicolas Anelka) has come back to haunt the “Professor.”
3. William Gallas is a poor captain
William Gallas lying on the St Andrews turf in frustration is the other iconic image from the 2-2 draw at Birmimgham. The temperamental Frenchman backed this up with some stinging criticism of Theo Walcott in the English press.
There are, of course, other reasons why Arsenal have failed this season – not taking certain matches in cup competitions seriously enough has also harmed their title bid.
A video of the recent Arsenal implosion can be seen here.
Is the game up for the Gunners in this year's title race? Tell us what you think.