Another season has drifted away and the only thing that this Arsenal side has proved is that they do not respond well to defeat.
Since the sickening finale to the Carling Cup Final we have only managed two victories; the first at home to Leyton Orient and the second away to a Blackpool team that are in freefall. Our home form in the last 6 home league games would see us languishing in mid table and, despite the long unbeaten run we had enjoyed prior to yesterday, it is only our league topping away form that has kept us in contention for this long.
Frustrations with our struggles to win another trophy have become all too apparent at the Grove and the palpable tension has undoubtedly rubbed off on the players. Our run of draws prior to the defeat at the Reebok is what really cost us the league title. There has been a lack of conviction in our play and it is as if the players sub-consciously feel that they are not destined to win anything. It is a dangerous vicious circle and to solve it will be the toughest challenege of Arsene Wenger's career.
The defeat at Bolton came in a predicatble fashion. We struggled to find our fluency but still missed golden opportunities to take all three points after van Persie showed his class to grab the equaliser. Samir Nasri was the biggest culprit and we soon paid the price, conceding a late goal from a set piece. 50% of the total goals that we have conceded have come from free kicks or corners and it is a weakness that has plagued us in recent seasons.
Johan Djourou has had a good season but had a disappointing game at Bolton, conceding a penalty and losing out in aerial challenges. He is generally an impressive centre back, very calm in posession, good pace and can time his tackles but he does lack that clinical edge that Man Utd's players have demonstrated throughout the season. Thomas Vermaelen proved in his first season with us that he posesses that quality but injuries have denied him the opportunity of forging what could potentially be a great partnership with Djourou. Instead we have had a first choice pairing of the Swiss defender and Laurent Koscielny, who, although also a good player, has similar strengths and weaknesses as Djourou.
We cannot rely on one player but Vermaelen is an example of the kind of personality that Wenger needs to look for in the summer. Cesc Fabregas, Robin van Persie and Samir Nasri are all world class players but they are not leaders in the traditional sense and however much Arsene Wenger tries to defend his squad, it is obvious we need players to lead with conviction. Hopefully Vermaelen will return fully fit this summer but beyond him we need to add two new signings with big personalities who can lead this team through disappointments and convince their new teammates and increasingly jaded fans that we are still destined for more trophies under Arsene Wenger.
If the manager cannot find these players then Stan Kroenke will be forced to consider the possibility that another manager could.