Where does Arsene Wenger go after last night's 3-0 defeat at Crystal Palace? I think most people would say he should go out the door. Arsenal are seven points behind fourth placed Manchester City heading into their final eight league games. For the first time since Wenger has been at the club, they look set to finish outside the top four. Even if they did defy the odds to claim a place in the Champions League next season, they'd just make the same mistakes again next season.
There was so much to admire about the first half of Wenger's 21 year reign at the club, most notably the Premier League title successes in 1998, 2002 and 2004. However it's a long time ago and there's no sign of any improvement. It's not good when you hear your captain (stand in captain) Theo Walcott say "Palace wanted it more. You could sense that from the kick-off." It's not good that Walcott is your captain in the first place because he epitomises everything that is wrong with this Arsenal team. A player that rarely delivers on the big stage when it matters.
Mesut Ozil gets most of the flak because it looks like he doesn't really care when he strolls around the pitch. Alexis Sanchez does more running so he's seen as a player who is giving his all in the Arsenal jersey, but in truth he's probably running after the ball he just gave away to the opposition yet again. Shkodran Mustafi and Gabriel were bullied by Christian Benteke last night and would it have been that much different if Laurent Koscielny was playing? Wenger has signed all these players so he's helped create this problem at the club.
Arsenal had 72% possession against Palace but they did very little with it and failed to register a shot on target in the second half. Nacho Monreal had a tough time on the left against an in form Wilfried Zaha. Anyone who watches the Premier League would know that Zaha has been in superb form this season yet Monreal was left isolated against him. Why does Wenger not try to nullify the opposition or go after their weaknesses because that's exactly what Palace boss Sam Allardyce did? Some Gunners fans at Selhurst Park again called for Wenger to leave the club and they also let the players know what they thought of them with a chorus of " you're not fit to wear the shirt. "
From the outside it seems remarkable that Wenger can't see why it wouldn't be a good idea to stay on past the summer when his contract expires. Would you trust him to clear out all the deadwood and sign quality players? A change of manager would improve the current crop because it looks like they've given up on Wenger.
I can say with confidence that this is the season Arsenal will finish behind Tottenham for the first time since 1995. I can also say with confidence that the Gunners won't qualify for the Champions League but I can't say with confidence that this will be the season Arsene Wenger calls it a day at Arsenal. If he signs a new contract, prepare for things to turn nasty in North London which makes you wonder why does a 67 year old man need all this hassle.
