@GooningIt 
I want to begin this article by defining my journey with Arsenal.
I began watching football during Euro 2008. I was one of the typical American sports fans who thought that football was played with hands and not feet, which I now find ironic, although funny. But, after stumbling upon Euro 2008, I had an epiphany. I actually enjoyed the openness of the game, the flair, the free-flowing aspect, the changes in possession and, most of all, the attacking.
Being a very novice watcher, I focused in on one player; Fernando Torres. After all, he scored the winner in the title game. This led me to club football... and, unfortunately, Liverpool. In America, watching football on television is really a chore, but I was lucky and Liverpool, having American owners, were being shoved on TV at almost every moment. I had no choice and it was easy, so I began watching Liverpool. Then something happened. Liverpool played Arsenal.
The game was frustrating, Liverpool were being killed by passing, not by brute force, by players like CR7. They were doing it the smart way, positioning, passing, and occasional bursts of athleticism. It was amazing. Arsenal were nothing like watching Liverpool. They were different. I sat and wondered: why didn't Arsenal have a guy just running his balls off like Dirk Kuyt? I began to see that Arsenal let the ball do the running. This made Arsenal special, something different: a cut above, in my mind.
After that game, I took a long hard look at Liverpool. Why can't they play like Arsenal? They had great players. I finally arrived at the fact that each club has its own unique identity. It just so happens that Arsenal and I have similar traits, something that I did not have in common with Liverpool. I popped over to YouTube to watch videos of Arsenal. Instantly, the videos of Henry, Pires, and Bergkamp began taking over my life. I could not get enough. “This is what football is about” is what I though to myself. After this, I could never go back to Liverpool.
A Gunner was born.
The first full season in which I followed Arsenal every game was also Verm's debut season, in which we clobbered Everton 6-2 in our opening game. I will never forget that game, or that season. Although Arsenal did not win anything, that for me was a special season. I was hooked, and I could not get enough of Arsenal Football Club. I have watched Arsenal religiously for every season and every game since that game against Everton. I have watched and read many things about football and Arsenal since that game. I still consider myself a novice to the game. However, I love Arsenal Football Club. That is why I am writing this piece.
The complexity of the situation at Arsenal is, actually, not complex at all. I am looking at this as Arsène Wenger would want me to, like a scientist. Arsène is one who believes in objectivity, so here is my assessment, Arsène: this team, this club, reeks of complacency. From the board to the players, there is little desire. In my opinion, there are three players who had a place in the first team who genuinely cared about the performances they put in - Jack, Robin, and Bacary.
Arsène, the majority of these players are injured. For God's sake, get a new medical team and players with internal drives and desire. A type of player to avoid: Theo Walcott. The famed “project youth” that you have touted has produced one player that will probably be worth the five years of suffering. However, pinning the hopes of one of the world’s largest football clubs on the shoulders of a 20-year-old, recent father with a stress fracture is a bit unfair and unrealistic. Arsène, Jack Wilshere is a great player, but he is overworked and has unbelievable expectations on him. Be realistic. Supporters, even myself, are just as guilty as you on this point. The constant need to find “diamond in the rough” players is amazingly frustrating.
Arsène, you have proven that you have found players from nowhere. Now go out and buy players that are locks to be superstars, the Hazards of the world, not 15-year-old wonder-kids playing in League 2, that “might” be great someday. Gerv is a good player, but should not have been bought before Hazard. Hazard is 20, and the anchor of a Champions League football club. Sign him.
I agree that players over the age of 30 might not possess the athleticism that they had when they were 24. That does not mean they are not good enough to play for Arsenal. Arsène, offer contracts to players over thirty; they have experience, they can do a job. Constantly playing kids that are 20 and have never experienced the Premier League, or the Champions League is a disaster, and Arsenal are currently paying the price.
The 4-2-3-1 formation: is it the perfect formation? Perhaps, when it is filled with the squad from the 2003-2004 season. Arsène, RvP is amazing, but he is not Henry. Theo Walcott is not Robert Pires. Gervinho is not Freddie. Alex Song has come a long way since joining the first team, but he is not Gilberto. Getting the point, Arsène? Play to their strengths.
I'm not an AKB or a AMG, but Arsène has to take responsibility for the situation the club is in. Is this entirely his fault? No. However, he has been the one who has isolated the power; he asked for it. With the glory comes the scrutiny. I hold Arsène responsible for the situation that the club is in, just as much as I hold the board responsible (which is an issue for another article). Problem is, Arsenal fans are accustomed to Arsène being amazingly successful, so in one sense, he is a victim of his own work. He loves the club. So do I, so can I have a crack at managing Arsenal as well? I hardly think so. Results are what matter, Arsène. I don't think that The Special One loved Inter Milan, but he delivered a European Cup.
Disclaimer: I do believe that Arsène is the best manager on the planet, just off his rocker at the moment.
Could Arsenal be relegated? Yes, any club can go down, never forget that. Victoria Concordia Crescit. Keep Gunning, the season is not over.
P.S. Sorry for the rambling, I'm frustrated.
Gunner out.
