Where has it all gone wrong?

Ok, so it¡¯s not been the best starts to the year has it? Traditionally better in the second half of the season, our form has been has been pretty abysmal since the beginning of 2006.

Defeats in both cups, an appalling away record and defeats at Fortress Highbury doesn¡¯t exactly bode well for the up and coming European Cup games does it?

So what¡¯s gone wrong?

Well, a lot has been written about Viera¡¯s departure in the summer but had all the other elements gone in our favour this season I don¡¯t think he would have been missed. This may be blasphemous, but his last two seasons at Highbury were not his best by a long way. He was injured at the beginning of the 2004 -2005 season, and yet we still continued to play exhilarating football until the defeat at Man United. And although everyone talks about his dressing room presence he was hardly a Tony Adams was he?

The real reasons for our poor season:

Injuries. We waltzed through our unbeaten season with so few injuries it was unbelievable. Who would have thought both our quality left backs would pick up the same injury this season? Cole, Clichy, Campbell, Lauren, RVP, Reyes, Freddie, etc etc have all been out. For the game against Real we have 8 first team injuries. That¡¯s no-one fault. It¡¯s just bad luck.

Bored players. That¡¯s bored not boring. Yes, I¡¯m talking about Pires and Gilberto who have been playing lately like they just can¡¯t be bothered. I know all great players peak and then fade away. But why this season guys and why at the same time? Please set an example to the younger players and start playing like you mean it.

Campbell and Cole. These boys need a separate category of their own. Now I know they are both ¡®injured¡¯ or going through some personal hell but when you¡¯re earning over ?50,000 a week for doing absolutely nothing at all, do you think you could perhaps stay indoors and watch TV every night or hobble to your local chippy on crutches? Being seen out on the razz every weekend at a function/opening/premier with your celebrity girlfriend may just make the fans think that playing for Arsenal isn¡¯t your number one priority. What d¡¯ya think?

Thierry Henry as Captain. Awful decision. Making a restless player captain just to keep him at the club is wrong. As much as we love and adore him and think he is one of the greatest players in the world, making a striker of Henry¡¯s temperament, captain, was a blunder. When things aren¡¯t going his way he is prone to sulks and moods and that¡¯s the last thing we need. Lauren or Toure would be better choices. Both want to stay at the club, both play their hearts out and both play in defence. Or why not make Fabregas captain? He plays in a central midfield role most of the time and can boss the game around. Too young? Adams was only 19 when he became captain and it was the making of him.

Purchases: Whilst the highlight of the season was nicking Theo Walcott off Chelsea some of our other signings have been a bit suspect. I know Wenger is the master at making silk purses out of sow¡¯s ears but he doesn¡¯t always get it right. Pascal Cygan anybody?

Hleb. Hmmm. If the idea of football was to dribble round and round in the middle of the pitch and then give the ball to the opposition then Hleb would be a superstar. Abu Diaby. He looks like PV4 but does he play like him? And Adebayor looks ok but no way is a suitable partner for Henry.\r But then I guess if Henry is not here next year¡­¡­¡­

Squad rotation: Play your best team all of the time and play to win every game. Always. Playing a weakened side at Bolton who have been our bogey side for the last three years was asking for it. The fans want to win every game; so should the team.

On a positive note, and despite the departure of Henry and (hopefully) Campbell and Cole, next season is something to look forward to. The new stadium is amazing and our young players Diaby, RVP, Fabregas, Flamini, Senderos, Clichy, Larsson, Walcott, Djourou, and Gilbert will be even better.

And come on. Despite our indifferent season would you rather be a Spurs fan? Though not.

Leave a comment on this article from focus on football. \r An article by Sarah Turner who writes articles for Focus on football - Football news and articles from the fans.