Camden Sports - by STEVE BARNETT Published: 12 March 2009
Arsene nil
THREE things strike me as the major factors in Arsenal’s decline and they are in order of importance (I know many fans will stop reading after the first): 1. Arsene Wenger is more focused on unearthing new players than he is in achieving trophies and tangible success for the club. His growing obsession with finding the next unheard-of wonder-kid has reached new levels of absurdity; even when he sees the team faltering and failing he won’t bring in any proven players. If this is his calling, he should become a youth development officer and leave the role of managing the first-team.
2. Lack of a midfield enforcer; the rot started when Patrick Vieira left, was alleviated when Mathieu Flamini took the reins, and started up again even worse when he left.
3. The striker’s role has changed, but Arsenal haven’t found a way of making it work. Goals come more from the wing and midfield nowadays.
They need to get Carlos Vela and Theo Walcott playing more. KARL CHADS
via email
IN follow up to Richard Osley’s top five missed penalties of all time.
I can think of one that beats all contenders now and possibly for all eternity. Peter Devine’s miss for Lancaster City – a true classic. If you are unfamiliar with it, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4XmtZ2seac ALEX JARVIS, NW3