Wenger a victim of his own image

Uncomfortable questions are being raised after the humiliating defeats of Barcelona and Arsenal in the Round of 16 Uefa Champions League matches against Paris St. Germain and Bayern Munich respectively. The defeats do not signify the end of tika-taka or possession football but raise doubts about the future of both Luis Enrique and Arsene Wenger, and other key issues.

Wenger is out of contract at the end of the season and has yet to accept a fresh offer from the club. The criticism from both fans and some of his former players is mounting that Wenger must go. It would be the end of an era at Arsenal if Wenger departs after 21 glorious years in charge. He has become a victim of his own image.

Wenger has developed a reputation of developing young talent. Even in this team players like Francis Cocquelin, Hector Bellerin and Aaron Ramsey were nurtured and improved by Wenger. From Thierry Henry to young Nigerian striker Alex Iwobi, he has developed many talented young players.

But he has now become seemingly obsessed with this reputation of nurturing unknown talent and strange decisions like playing second choice goalkeeper Davis Ospina in the match against Bayern Munich. Ospina, slipped and let in Robert Lewandowski’s header for the second goal, that started the rout.

Thus his forays into the transfer market have not been very successful. This was evident when key defender Laurent Koscienly limped off early in the second half. Till then Arsenal were on level terms with Bayern. His replacement, the Brazilian Gabriel Paulista, just could not cope with the incisive Bayern attack and Arsenal conceded three goals in ten minutes. Gabriel is a reflection of several players Wenger has bought who have not lived up to expectations.

It was not just the massive 1-5 rout but the way heads were drooping that should be worrying for Wenger. Mesut Ozil remains an enigma, drifting in and out of matches. At Munich it was strange to see even the gutsy Alexis Sanchez looking listless. Wenger admitted his team collapsed and it is a dangerous sign that he cannot inspire them anymore. It seems more than likely that his time is up.

Similarly Barcelona’s famed midfield went missing. Andres Iniesta has slowed down, Sergio Busquets was out of form and newcomer Andres Gomes (Portugal) was a misfit. PSG’s tactics of preventing Barcelona from building from the back by their high pressing paid off.

When the famed trio of Messi, Suarez and Neymar get curbed, Enrique’s tactics get exposed. He lacks an alternative plan, when the magical trio does not click. His forays into the transfer market have also been unsuccessful. His time also seems over.

Barcelona and Arsenal were always noted for developing players at their academies. The talent pool has run dry. From Barcelona’s La Masia, quality players are not emerging. This was evident as they bought six players in August 2016, sadly none of whom have fully fitted in.

Similarly Arsenal also bought four players at the start of the season, defenders Skhodran Mustafi, Rob Holding, midfielder Granit Xhaka and striker Lucas Perez, as no talent is emerging from their academy.